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In a significant reshuffle, Cricket West Indies (CWI) announced on Sunday that Kraigg Brathwaite has stepped down as the Test captain and they have appointed a new captain of the T20I team. This decision marks a pivotal moment in West Indies cricket as the organization looks to revitalize its leadership structure across formats.
Kraigg Brathwaite’s record as West Indies’ Test skipper
Brathwaite, who has led the West Indies in 39 Test matches since 2017, officially resigned from his position ahead of the upcoming home series against Australia. His tenure saw notable achievements, including leading the team to its first Test victory in Australia in 27 years at the Gabba in January 2024. Under his captaincy, the West Indies also secured a historic win against Pakistan earlier this year, marking their first Test victory on Pakistani soil since 1990. Despite these successes, Brathwaite’s overall record includes ten wins and 22 losses.
The 32-year-old expressed a desire for continuity and a smooth transition for the team, which influenced his decision to step down now rather than later.
While a successor for Brathwaite is yet to be announced, it is expected that this new captain will lead the team into the next ICC World Test Championship cycle (2025-27), starting with a three-match series against Australia this summer.
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A new T20I captain for the West Indies
In parallel, Shai Hope has taken over the T20I captaincy from Rovman Powell, who had been at the helm since May 2023. Hope’s appointment comes on the heels of his successful leadership of the ODI team, which he has captained since 2022. His experience in white-ball cricket is expected to bring a fresh perspective as the West Indies prepare for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
Hope’s first assignment as T20I captain will be during an upcoming tour of Ireland and England, where he will lead the team in three T20 matches against each nation in June. This leadership change reflects CWI’s commitment to building a strong and competitive squad capable of excelling in both formats of the game.
