Akeal Hosein is in India. That’s common news. Social media knows it. Everyone knows it. And so too, those spinners in the waiting in the West Indies who admire the uncomplicated Trinidadian for his commitment to his craft. But perhaps what many of us, if not all, won’t have noted is just how close he to achieve a huge landmark in the game. Make no mistake, he’s just scaled one already, by the way.
On October 6, 2026 when he played the first of the T20 internationals of this ongoing series against India, Akeal Hosein didn’t just play yet another game for his West Indies team. He played his 100th contest for his team in T20 internationals.
And now the focus lies on what could soon be yet another landmark in his career. The left arm orthodox spinner needs just 5 more wickets to touch 100 T20I wickets.
Truth be told, one needn’t be a Sherlock to understand that it is not a question of if, but when. A case of how soon can the recognised and widely noted talent get to that.
For someone whose bowling economy even after 100 T20Is for his West Indies is a very respectable and applaud worthy 7.5, Hosein is still carrying a bit of a challenge this series.
Also Read | “Pretty sure the Manchester City fans are going to have a good time when we visit anfield” – Erling Haaland
So what is it?
Perhaps it’s fair to say that it’s a touch strange to see how easy it’s been for Indian batters to pick and dislodge Akeal Hosein, who’s a real quality spinner.
Thus far, from two games, he’s picked just a single wicket having conceded 83 runs, on the whole.
That’s 2 matches done and with 3 to play.
Moreover, in the recent Caribbean Premier League edition, the always cheerful spinner picked 5 wickets. That’s about it.
But even as he may not be carrying dangerously good form in respect to the recent performances, it would be unwise to undermine the bowler who’s topped the ICC T20I rankings for bowlers in the not so distant past. In 2024, the Port of Spain bowler achieved a career high mark of 707 points to lord the rankings for best bowlers in the international game’s briefest format.
He’s currently ranked #18.
But what works generally in his favour is the aspect of relentless accuracy. For a team that can be relentless at six hitting, it’s Akeal’s ability to keep a lid on free run scoring that’s made him special. And unique in that in the very format in which runs fly like billets in a war zone, the West Indian has earned respect for containing attacks.
Even if that means being pitched against the very best in the game- whether it’s Abhishek Sharma, the scorer of the fastest T20I century, ever, Sanju Samson, who just hours ago smashed a 41-ball-82 and forget not, India’s very capable and destructive Shreyas Iyer, who achieved most recently a maiden century in the format.
With the series currently tied 1-1 and spinners like Roston Chase, fresh from a 3-fee in the most recent contest already in good form, it’ll be hugely thrilling to see how well and soon can Akeal Hosein find his groove. Because where he stands, a landmark for him, more important than his hundred wickets in the format would be, contributing selflessly to his West Indies cause as he’s done all along.
What do you reckon?
