West Indies seek revenge against Sri Lanka as T20 series starts
After rain and results went against them in the One-Day Internationals (ODIs), the West Indies shift focus to the shortest format, hosting Sri Lanka in the first of three T20 Internationals at Sabina Park tonight at 7:30 pm.
For Captain Shai Hope, the format changes but the mandate does not. The ODI series was lost 1-0 after two washouts, but the squad — largely revamped for T20 duty — gets an immediate shot at redemption.
“We just want to see a turnaround. We want to be on the winning end of any series regardless of the format,” Hope said.
“We didn’t get the success in this ODI series but we’ve got some experience that we can bank on.”
The Caribbean side welcomes back several players from last year’s T20 World Cup campaign, and Hope is counting on that pedigree to spark a reset.
“Most of the guys coming off from the World Cup have some success over there,” Hope said. “Unfortunately, not the ultimate success but we got to lean on the experience from the guys, the knowledge that we have in the T20 group and try to put our best foot forward in terms of turning things around and getting some wins into 2026.”
Sri Lanka arrive at Sabina with momentum and minimal changes. Fresh off their first ODI series win in the West Indies in 23 years, Captain Kusal Mendis is backing his side to complete a rare double on tour.
“We have a very good team in T20,” Mendis told the Jamaica Observer.
“Only three players are not playing the T20 from the one-day squad. I think four players are coming in. We have a very good bowling attack in T20 and batters are in form. I hope we can do the best in the T20.”
