Who is Quentin Sampson? The eyebrow-raising pick by West Indies for T20 World Cup

Who is Quentin Samspon? [Source - @windiescricket/x]

West Indies have announced a balanced 15-man squad for the T20 World Cup 2026, blending experience with bold new faces. Shai Hope will lead the two-time champions, with big returns like Jason Holder and Rovman Powell adding muscle and calm to the group.

Their campaign begins on February 7 against Scotland at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, a special venue where the West Indies last lifted the T20 World Cup trophy. The setting adds emotion and expectation as the side looks to revive its past dominance in familiar conditions.

Looking at their squad, it clearly signals intent. West Indies have focused on batting depth and middle-overs firepower for the pitches in India and Sri Lanka. Yet one name has grabbed most of the attention, leaving fans curious about a surprise inclusion very few saw coming.

Who is Quentin Sampson? CPL journey with Guyana Amazon Warriors

Quentin Sampson is a 25-year-old batter from Guyana who burst into the spotlight during the 2025 edition of the Caribbean Premier League. Representing Guyana Amazon Warriors, he made an impact with his fearless approach, playing roles across the top and middle order when required.

During CPL 2025, Quentin Sampson scored 241 runs in nine innings at an impressive strike-rate of 151.6. His job was to attack bowlers, change momentum, and finish innings strongly, especially once spinners came into play during the middle overs.

What stood out was Sampson’s clean striking, strong base, and ability to clear the ropes regularly which made him a standout in the league, earning him an international call-up for West Indies, where he eventually made his debut in the recent Afghanistan series in Dubai.

Why Quentin Sampson has been picked in West Indies' T20 World Cup squad 

Quentin Sampson’s T20 World Cup selection comes down to power and intent. West Indies want a batter who can dominate spin after the powerplay. His strong back-foot game and natural strength allow him to hit through the line with ease on slower surfaces.

Captain Shai Hope has publicly backed him, calling Sampson one of the cleanest strikers he has seen in recent times. Hope believes Sampson adapts quickly and has already shown composure against elite spinners, including Rashid Khan during his T20I debut.

Another factor is unpredictability. With limited international data available, Sampson could be difficult for opponents to plan against. West Indies see him as a potential X-factor who can change games quickly. 

Quentin Sampson: Bold gamble or World Cup surprise?

There is no doubt on Quentin Sampson’s ability, but his limited international exposure makes this a risky call for a World Cup competition. He has played only three T20Is for West Indies so far and will next be in action in the three-match T20I series against South Africa before the mega event.

Many also believe West Indies could have instead picked a specialist death bowler like Shamar Springer to fix a known weakness. Having said that, the West Indies has taken a calculated risk, one that could hurt or deliver rich rewards. Only time will tell.