In a Group C match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, the West Indies are set to play against Nepal at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. This 25th match is crucial for both teams: a win for the West Indies would nearly secure their place in the Super 8, while Nepal is in a must-win situation after losing heavily to Italy.
With Mumbai’s humidity affecting the conditions, West Indies captain Shai Hope won the toss and chose to bowl first. However, the focus of the morning was not just on the toss, but on the absence of a key player known for his impact in previous matches.
Romario Shepherd’s Absence Explained
Fans noticed that Romario Shepherd was not included in the lineup today. Shepherd has been in excellent form, even achieving a notable hat-trick earlier against Scotland. During the toss, Hope mentioned that Shepherd is sitting out due to a minor injury.
“Shepherd’s been experiencing some issues. We want to take all necessary precautions. It’s crucial for us to ensure everything is in place as we prepare for the later stages of the tournament,” Hope shared during the toss.
Considering the demanding schedule of the 2026 T20 World Cup, the West Indies management has chosen a cautious approach. Resting Shepherd today allows him to recover fully for the upcoming Super 8 matches, ensuring their key death-overs bowler and lower-order hitter isn’t put at risk against a struggling Nepal side. In his place, young player Matthew Forde has been included in the XI, offering a similar pace option and useful batting in the lower order.
Playing XI for Both Teams
Nepal: Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh (wk), Rohit Paudel (c), Dipendra Singh Airee, Aarif Sheikh, Lokesh Bam, Gulsan Jha, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Nandan Yadav, Sandeep Lamichhane
West Indies: Brandon King, Shai Hope (wk/c), Shimron Hetmyer, Roston Chase, Sherfane Rutherford, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Matthew Forde, Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph
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