By Zainab Shafiq 
Veteran all-rounders Jason Holder and Andre Russell are back in action for the West Indies as part of a refreshed T20I squad to face England, a move that signals the team’s strategic approach to workload management ahead of a packed international calendar. This marks their return to the West Indies T20 squad after injury-enforced absences, as the team continues to rotate players for optimal performance.
Holder, last seen in T20Is in February 2024, missed the World Cup due to injury, while Russell hasn’t played since limping off against England in November. Both bring experience and firepower back to the squad in a critical three-match series beginning after the ODI finale at The Oval.
This series also marks the first T20 assignment under new skipper Shai Hope, who replaced Rovman Powell following a home whitewash by Bangladesh. Powell remains part of the West Indies T20 squad, but faces intense competition from in-form stars and returning veterans.
Nicholas Pooran, fresh off a demanding IPL stint, opted for rest and will miss both legs of the tour. Meanwhile, Sherfane Rutherford, who was away at the BBL, makes his comeback. The selectors have also introduced fresh faces like Jyd Goolie for the Ireland leg, replacing Roston Chase, who will head home early to prepare for the Australia Test series. Keacy Carty has been drafted in for the Irish series only, filling in for Brandon King.
After the England series, the Windies will shift base back to Ireland for another T20I series, but several players and coaches, including Russell and head coach Daren Sammy, will sit that one out. Sammy and senior support staff will return to the Caribbean for a Test training camp starting June 13, ahead of the big showdown with Australia.
West Indies men’s T20I squad to play England including Holder and Russell
Shai Hope (capt), Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd
West Indies men’s T20I squad to play Ireland
Shai Hope (capt), Keacy Carty, Johnson Charles, Matthew Forde, Jyd Goolie, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Evin Lewis, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd
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