T20 World Cup 2021 Team Preview – West Indies

Can West Indies defend their title?

Published - 19 Oct 2021, 12:27 IST | Updated - 19 Oct 2021, 12:27 IST

5 Min Read

No one can deny that West Indies aren’t the side they were in the 80s! However, when it comes to T20I cricket, they are still a force to reckon with. Having lifted the T20 World Cup twice, the Men in Maroon aim to clinch the prestigious title for the third time. The side is studded with match-winners and many back them to go a long way. However, the challenge would be performing as a unit to thrive in the T20 World Cup 2021. Not to forget, West Indies, having won the previous edition, also have the onus to defend their title.

Build-up form

If one looks at the recent performance of the West Indies team in T20Is, they have done considerably well. The side faced prominent teams like Australia, South Africa, and Pakistan in T20Is this year. While they narrowly lost to South Africa 2-1, they bounced back and defeated a depleted Australian side 4-1. Their last assignment was against the Pakistan side. While three of the four matches in that series got washed out, Babar Azam’s men clinched the other game.

These international series were followed by Caribbean Premier League and Indian Premier League (IPL). Hence, most of the Caribbean players are in the groove and would like to unleash their best show in the global competition. With a couple of practice games in schedule ahead of their campaign, the side would also get ample time to regroup and finalize their strategies.

Strength and Weakness

As mentioned above, West Indies have been a force to reckon with in T20Is. In fact, they are the only side to have clinched the T20 World Cup twice. As far as the strength of the current team is concerned, there’s a lot of firepower in the batting order. With dashers like Andre Russell, Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, Evin Lewis, Kieron Pollard and Nicholas Pooran in ranks, bowlers of all teams must beware.

Also, the presence of several quality all-rounders in the side means West Indies would bat deep. In Fabian Allen, Dwayne Bravo, Roston Chase, and Andre Russell, the side has several multi-dimensional players. Hence, the bowling team can’t be complacent even after getting rid of the top order. Moreover, depth in batting would also allow the top order to play fearless cricket.

While these are the positives, the batter’s challenge would be showing application on the UAE tracks. The recently-concluded IPL 2021 witnessed many low-scoring games. With the tracks being tired, batters would need to assess the conditions and play accordingly. Moreover, the likes of Nicholas Pooran and Chris Gayle weren’t in best of forms in this year’s IPL.

With the T20 World Cup taking place in the same conditions, it would be interesting to see how they bounce back. The spin-bowling options aren’t too exciting in the West Indies. While Chase and Hayden Walsh Jnr bowled well in CPL this year, they haven’t played a lot of cricket in these conditions.

Among the specialist pacers, West Indies have Obed McCoy, Ravi Rampaul, and Oshane Thomas. With these bowlers having attributes, the pace attack won’t be one-dimensional. However, restricting the scoring date in death overs would challenge these bowlers. If one has to summarize, the batters would need to make up for the loopholes in the bowling attack.

Adaptability and flexibility

Adaptability and flexibility are some of the key attributes which decide whether a team has the capability to go long into a tournament and win it. This is another are where West Indies might struggle. As mentioned above, Gayle and Pooran didn’t enjoy a gala time in the UAE leg of IPL 2021. Kieron Pollard, the most capped T20 player, couldn’t do much either.

While Evin Lewis did play some handy cameos, he couldn’t replicate his CPL heroics in IPL. Shimron Hetmyer has to be the best Caribbean batter in the gala competition. Generally batting in the top four for West Indies, the southpaw was given the finisher’s role for Delhi Capitals and he embraced the challenge with brilliance.

Hence, the other Caribbean players need to take a leaf out of Hetmyer’s book to shine in T20 World Cup. Roston Chase, who enjoyed a sensational run in CPL 2021, is another player who plays spin well. Hence, expectations are pretty high from him. As far as the bowlers are concerned, the likes of McCoy, Rampaul, Hayden Walsh Jnr and Thomas didn’t get to play in IPL.

Hence, they would also need to adapt the conditions pretty quickly. They would get some substantial assistance as veteran Dwayne Bravo bowled brilliantly in IPL 2021. His slower deliveries would surely disguise batters in the World Cup as well.

Probable finish

Although there might be some loopholes, West Indies should go a long way considering the star-studded squad. There are many players in the ranks who can torment the opposition single-handedly. Hence, being complacent against the Men in Maroon would be the last thing a side can afford in the T20 World Cup. Considering these factors, they should finish among the top two in their group and qualify for the semi-finals. However, it would require great nerves and strong character to get the glory once again.