The Group C table currently looks like a tale of two very different journeys. As we head into Match 25 at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, the West Indies are cruising toward the Super 8s with the momentum of a hurricane. Meanwhile, Nepal is fighting for survival, trying to rediscover the spark that nearly stunned England before it was unceremoniously doused by Italy.
At A2k Insider, we’re calling this the "Wankhede Reality Check." Here is everything you need to know about the Sunday morning showdown.
🏟️ The Wankhede Paradox: Where are the 200s?
The Wankhede Stadium usually has a reputation as a "bowling graveyard," but the 2026 World Cup has rewritten the script. In the four matches played here so far, the 200-run mark remains untouched.
- The Trend: Even a powerhouse like India struggled to dominate the USA here, and the West Indies' 196 against England remains the gold standard for this tournament.
- The 11 AM Factor: This is the first morning start of the tournament in Mumbai. Expect the pacers to find a bit of "zip" and swing in the first 45 minutes before the sun bakes the surface into a spinner’s playground.
🌴 West Indies: The Unshakable Giants
Shai Hope’s men are playing "complete" cricket. They didn't just beat England; they dismantled them. The most impressive part of the Windies' 2026 campaign is their balance. When the openers failed, Sherfane Rutherford (76* vs England) turned into a one-man demolition crew. When the pacers were attacked, Gudakesh Motie and Roston Chase strangled the middle overs.
Probable XI: Brandon King, Shai Hope (C & WK), Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, Romario Shepherd, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph.
🏔️ Nepal: The Search for Consistency
Nepal's campaign has been a heartbreaking roller-coaster. They were one hit away from beating England, only to follow it up with a 10-wicket drubbing at the hands of Italy. The talent is there, but as Captain Rohit Paudel admitted, the "turning up" part is missing.
To stand a chance against the Caribbean power, Nepal might finally bring in the veteran Sompal Kami to add some much-needed steel to their bowling attack.
Probable XI: 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.
🎙️ From the Captains' Desks
Shai Hope (WI): "It’s a World Cup. Any team can beat anyone on their day. We aren't taking Nepal lightly; the planning and execution must remain exactly the same."
Rohit Paudel (NEP): "To see the England highs and then suddenly not turning up... it was disappointing. A growing team like ours needs to be more consistent."
📊 Official Squads for T20WC Match 25
West Indies: Brandon King, Shai Hope (c/w), Shimron Hetmyer, Roston Chase, Sherfane Rutherford, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph, Johnson Charles, Matthew Forde, Jayden Seales, Quentin Sampson.
Nepal: Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh (w), Rohit Paudel (c), Dipendra Singh Airee, Aarif Sheikh, Lokesh Bam, Gulsan Jha, Karan KC, Nandan Yadav, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi, Sompal Kami, Sundeep Jora, Sher Malla, Basir Ahamad.
📺 Match Preview & Highlights
Before the toss at 11:00 AM local time, catch up on the tactical breakdown of how Nepal can exploit the Wankhede spin:
[VIDEO EMBED: Official ICC Preview - West Indies vs Nepal]