Kraigg Brathwaite steps down as West Indies Test captain; Shai Hope named T20I captain

Kraigg Brathwaite has stepped down as the red-ball captain of West Indies after being in charge for four years and leading the team in 39 Tests, winning 10 of those. The Cricket West Indies (CWI) confirmed his decision, stating that the new captain would be announced before the upcoming Australia series. 

"Kraigg Brathwaite has been an outstanding leader for our Test team, guiding the squad with discipline, resilience, and a deep understanding of the game. His contributions have been invaluable, and under his leadership, we have witnessed historic moments that will be remembered for years to come," Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe, was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.

"We thank Kraigg for his service as captain and look forward to his continued impact as a senior player," added Miles Bascombe. 

Braithwaite is just two games away from playing his 100th Test match. He is set to reach the landmark as West Indies host Australia for a Test series in June-July, starting the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. The Caribbean team did not perform well in the previous cycle, but they did secure a historic win against Australia in 2024. 

Shai Hope becomes T20I captain for West Indies

There has been a change in the white-ball captaincy for West Indies, with Shai Hope stepping in as the new captain. The Board has confirmed that after having a fruitful conversation with the head coach, Darren Sammy, they reached a decision to appoint Hope as the new captain. 

"Shai Hope's appointment signals a progressive shift for West Indies cricket, given his success with the 50 over team in the last 18 months. As the team continues its evolution, Hope blends instinctive decision-making with analytical precision, using in-depth match data and player performance insights to shape strategy," said Sammy.

"Shai is a strong believer in team performances and his meticulous preparation, coupled with his calm and composed demeanor under pressure, makes him an ideal leader at this stage," he added.