(Kaieteur News) – West Indies Masters captain Denesh Ramdin is confident that home advantage, experienced players and careful preparation can help the hosts make a strong showing at the 2026 International Masters Cricket (IMC) Over-40s World Cup, which begins in Guyana on October 17.
The West Indies will open their campaign against Australia at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, at 9:30 a.m. The tournament will bring together 16 teams for 72 matches, with the final scheduled for October 31 at the same venue. Matches will be played over 45 overs per side, and admission to all games will be free.
West Indies Masters captain Denesh Ramdin
Ramdin, a former West Indies wicketkeeper-batter and captain, welcomed the opportunity to return to competitive cricket alongside former international teammates, including Ramnaresh Sarwan, Sewnarine Chattergoon and Devendra Bishoo.
“Yeah, I think it’s an exciting time for players who have retired and still coming back home to get back to the game. A lot of past players like myself, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Sewnarine Chattergoon, Devendra Bishoo and all those guys coming back to play in this tournament,” Ramdin said.
He acknowledged the support behind the initiative and expressed hope that the competition would continue to provide opportunities for retired players to remain involved in the game.
While winning the World Cup is the team’s ultimate goal, Ramdin stressed that the players must focus on each match as their campaign progresses.
“Well, it’s important that we take one game at a time and see how that goes. Obviously, it’s winning the tournament, but winning the tournament, you have to win your first game, second game, and take it in strides,” he explained.
Ramdin said the remaining practice sessions and warm-up matches would be important in building match readiness. Particular attention will be given to allowing bowlers time to find their rhythm and ensuring the squad is prepared for competitive conditions.
He also believes the team’s familiarity with Guyanese grounds could provide an advantage, although players will need to assess the conditions on each match day and adapt their approach.
“Being in Guyana, a lot of us have played in Guyana, it’s an advantage for us,” Ramdin said.
West Indies will compete in Zone A alongside Australia, Canada, Colombia, Namibia, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Wales. Zone B comprises England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, the United States, Rest of the Caribbean and Rest of the World.
Each team will play seven league matches, with the top two teams from each zone advancing to the championship semifinals on October 28. The remaining teams will contest crossover and placement matches.
With fixtures scheduled across Demerara, Berbice and Essequibo, CWIMA encourages cricket fans to take advantage of free admission and support the teams as Guyana hosts the IMC Over-40s World Cup for the first time.
Source: Kaieteur News
