West Indies cricket is undergoing a significant leadership transition with two major captaincy changes. Kraigg Brathwaite has stepped down as the Test captain, while Shai Hope has been appointed as the new T20 captain, marking a new era for the Caribbean side. Kraigg Brathwaite, who became West Indies Test captain in 2021, has opted to resign from the position. The 32-year-old opener captained the team during a difficult time, leading them to some inspiring wins but also experiencing inconsistency. Under his guidance, West Indies achieved series victories over England and Bangladesh but found it difficult against stronger teams such as India and Australia.

Brathwaite's decision to resign has come following the team's current Test woes, including underwhelming performances in the World Test Championship. Although giving up the captaincy, he will continue as a member of the team in his capacity as a player and will hope to continue scoring with the bat. His experience would still be valuable in the dressing room, but the team now hopes to find a new face to lead it in the red-ball format.

Shai Hope appointed as new T20 captain for West Indies

In a change of strategy, Shai Hope has been appointed the new captain of the West Indies T20 team. The appointment is made as the team aims to have more stability and consistency in the shortest form of the game. Hope, who has been captaining the ODI team since 2023, now has the added responsibility of bringing back the team's T20 fortunes.

The 30-year-old has been a consistent performer in white-ball cricket, whose calm batting and leadership qualities are well known. His elevation as T20 captain is a measure of the selectors' faith in his leadership and his ability to motivate the team before major sporting tournaments, such as the 2026 T20 World Cup. As West Indies cricket enters this new phase, all eyes will be on how Hope handles the pressure of leading two sides and who steps up to fill Brathwaite’s shoes in the Test format.

 

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