BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, April 1, 2025 — In a major leadership reshuffle, Kraigg Brathwaite has stepped down as the captain of the West Indies Test team after a four-year tenure, while Shai Hope has been appointed as the new T20I captain, replacing Rovman Powell. The announcement was made by Cricket West Indies (CWI) on Monday.
Brathwaite, 32, was appointed Test captain in March 2021, succeeding Jason Holder, and has since led the Caribbean side through a period of rebuilding and several historic victories.
Shai Hope Takes Charge with 2026 T20 World Cup in Mind
Already leading the West Indies in ODIs, Shai Hope will now helm the T20I squad as well, stepping into the role previously held by Rovman Powell since May 2023.
CWI’s head coach Darren Sammy said in a statement shared on the board’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, “In planning for team growth and the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup, the decision has been made to entrust the T20 leadership to Shai Hope.”
Brathwaite Leaves Behind a Legacy of Grit and Historic Wins
Under Brathwaite’s captaincy, West Indies registered several landmark Test victories:
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2024: A stunning Test win against Australia in Brisbane, their first Down Under in 27 years
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2024: A series-leveling victory over Pakistan, their first home Test win against them in 34 years
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2022: A significant home Test series win over England
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2021: A clean sweep in Bangladesh (2-0) during the COVID-19 pandemic
Brathwaite has played 98 Test matches, and the upcoming series against Australia is poised to be a milestone event as he approaches his 100th Test cap.
CWI acknowledged his contribution, stating, “We thank Kraigg Brathwaite for his service and leadership. His decision allows the team sufficient time to transition before the upcoming home Test series.”
West Indies’ Upcoming Fixtures
West Indies will begin their next ICC World Test Championship cycle with a home Test series against Australia in June–July 2025. The board has confirmed that a new Test captain will be announced soon, as the team prepares for a new era under fresh leadership.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.