CWI President Celebrates West Indies Team's Journey Despite T20 World Cup Exit
CWI President Expresses Pride in Team's Performance
Kishore Shallow, the President of Cricket West Indies (CWI), has voiced his pride in the West Indies cricket team following their departure from the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. This came after a five-wicket loss to India during a pivotal Super Eight match at Eden Gardens on Sunday. The West Indies, who have won the T20 World Cup twice, saw their tournament end as India successfully chased a daunting target of 196 runs in Kolkata.
Acknowledgment of Team's Efforts and Growth
In a formal statement released by Cricket West Indies, Shallow congratulated team captain Shai Hope and the players for their commendable efforts throughout the tournament. He stated, "On behalf of Cricket West Indies, I extend warm congratulations to Shai Hope and our team for a commendable campaign at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. While we are disappointed that our journey concluded at Eden Gardens in Kolkata against the India national cricket team, the tournament as a whole reflected growth, belief, and togetherness. Winning five of seven matches and advancing to the Super 8s is a testament to the preparation and commitment of this group."
Praise for Resilience and Team Spirit
Shallow emphasized the resilience displayed by the players during the tournament and commended the unity within the squad. He remarked, "Most encouraging was the spirit of resolve and fight displayed throughout the competition, a spirit that was needed more than ever. That determination and pride in representing the region strengthened confidence across the Caribbean and reminded us of the character of West Indies cricket."
Support Staff's Role in Future Success
The CWI President also recognized the contributions of the support staff, particularly head coach Daren Sammy, for establishing a solid foundation for future endeavors. He concluded, "Today, we are proud of our men in maroon and appreciative of the dedication of the backroom team led by Head Coach Daren Sammy. Their collective effort has laid a strong foundation for the work ahead. We will regroup, we will work, and we will compete again with even greater unity and purpose. Rally Round the West Indies, now and forever."
Match Recap: India vs West Indies
In the match, the West Indies batted first, scoring 195/4, with notable performances from Roston Chase (40), Shai Hope (32), and Shimron Hetmyer (27). A crucial unbeaten partnership of 76 runs between Jason Holder (37*) and Rovman Powell (34*) bolstered their total. India's bowling attack was spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah, who recorded figures of 2/36. In response, India faced an early challenge but managed to secure victory through key partnerships, with Sanju Samson playing a pivotal role alongside Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma.