Kraigg Brathwaite has resigned as the captain of the West Indies Test team ahead of the new World Test Championship cycle (2025-2027). Shai Hope will take over as the captain for the T20 internationals, succeeding Rovman Powell, who has also stepped down. Cricket West Indies (CWI) is expected to announce the new Test captain in the coming weeks.
Brathwaite has been recognized as one of the more successful West Indies captains in recent years. Only Clive Lloyd, Viv Richards, and Brian Lara have led the team in more Test matches than Brathwaite. His notable victories include defeating Australia at the Gabba and leading a historic win against England in England after a 27-year gap. Additionally, he was part of a recent series draw against Pakistan.
Kraigg Brathwaite is set to play his 100th Test match in three months at home against Australia. Meanwhile, Miles Bascombe, the Director of Cricket, expressed gratitude towards Brathwaite for his outstanding contributions to the West Indies team, emphasizing how he has taken the team to new heights.
"Kraigg Brathwaite has been an exceptional leader for our Test team, guiding the squad with discipline, resilience, and a deep understanding of the game," Bascombe stated.
"His contributions have been invaluable, and under his leadership, we have witnessed historic moments that will be remembered for years to come. We thank Kraigg for his service as captain and look forward to his continued impact as a senior player." he added
Kragg Brathwaite Record as Test Captain
Matches | Win | Loss | Drawn | W/L % |
39 | 10 | 22 | 7 | 0.45 |
Rovman Powell Stepped Down
In a separate announcement, Rovman Powell has also stepped down as the T20I captain, following advice from head coach Darren Sammy. Shai Hope’s appointment marks a new era in West Indies cricket as he takes on the leadership role for the T20 team.
Also Read: Dwayne Bravo Fumes at CWI for Replacing Rovman Powell as T20I Captain
Rovman Powell Record as T20I Captain
Matches | Win | Loss | N/A | W/L % |
37 | 19 | 17 | 1 | 1.11 |
Head coach Darren Sammy praised Shai Hope following his appointment, noting the positive change he could bring to the team.
"Shai Hope's appointment signifies a progressive shift for West Indies cricket, given his success with the One Day International team over the past 18 months," Sammy said.
"As the team continues to evolve, Hope combines instinctive decision-making with analytical precision, utilizing in-depth match data and player performance insights to shape strategy. He is a strong believer in team performance, and his meticulous preparation, along with his calm demeanor under pressure, makes him an ideal leader at this stage."
Looking ahead, the West Indies will face Ireland in a three-match ODI series during their tour in May. Later, they will play a three-match ODI series against England, followed by a three-match T20I series.
