The last time that the two sides had faced each other in a T20 World Cup, the contest was on a rather familiar territory for the West Indies; it was the famed Beausejour Stadium. But England chased down 181, never an easy ask in a World Cup contest with 2.3 overs left in the tank. But the man who could barely many any all round impact the last time around had his say this time around. Roston Chase, not a cricketer we see a lot of media spotlight being directed to or a lot of cricketing journalism centred around, was the man in focus this time around at the sentimental homeland of the sport in the beating heart of the Indian sub continent: Wankhede.

First, with the bat, he scored an almost inning reviving 34 off 29, scoring useful and actually timely runs just when his team needed those. With the usually careful and compact openers - focused captain Shai Hope and classy Brandon King- departing without much contribution to the scorecard, the inning’s revival came to rest on the able shoulders of Roston Chase.

Make no mistake that in the current annals of the West Indian white ball cricket, Chase is the elderly statesman. He’s 33. At his peak. He’s sweated hard for being part of the national side. Slipped in form, as seen in the past, and particularly so, with the bat. Then had to find his way to good and consistent scores, which were evident particularly from the onset of mid 2024.

Also Read | Twitter reacts to West Indies comeback over England in T20 World Cup 2026

And here he is.

Tonight, he turned a nervy Wankhede crowd into a cheery one, many of whom you could just tell were backing the West Indies. Coming particularly hard on off spinner Williams Jacks, Chase literally chased him off the attack, counterattacking the English spinner by carving him for 3 boundaries on the bounce.

This was when the West Indians desperately sought a mid inning revival. Clearly, their best batter in Hope having not not scored any and with Hetmyer falling soon after a typically aggressive and very Calypsonian 23, someone had to step up the gas. Once again.

And the usually watchful, risk taking Roston Chase was that man. You could sense that even Rutherford, so accomplished but watching the ensuing action at the other end, was chuffed. Wasn’t he?

Though, in reality, after Chase scored his vital 34 for the Windies, which as it turned out was nearly a sixth of the team’s runs, there was more on offer.

This time with the ball.

Taking 2 great wickets on a friendly surface for the slower bowlers, the thinking cricketers did more than just role his arm over on the very track where someone so accomplished like his teammate Akeal Hosein was found a touch troubled. The Trinidadian bowled much fuller and even gave away full tosses. Ditto for Moti, who did come into his own, excelling for the West Indies in a particularly crucial juncture of the game.

But there was Roston Chase. Unmoved by pressure and unbothered by the fact that England still very much seemed in total command of the game when going at 11 an over, they had only lost Salt with so many big dashers to come.

His targets, as one later found out, were Buttler and Jacks. Two crucial wickets the Windies sought.

Happy skipper with Chase’s effort

And later, in the post match presentation, his captain Hope couldn’t overstate the importance of having someone ubiquitous as Roston Chase; not just his fellow Barbadian talent, but a dear friend who broke into the national side at around the same time as the tall and quietly dignified man.

In a game that’s about wham bam blasts from the willow, Roston Chase with his front foot drives and focused back foot punches evokes quiet emotion.

Much like his personality.

Much like how the old school lovers of the game like it, no?

You know the ones who value technique and temperament over shenanigans like it!

With two wins in two games, the West Indies are soaring and with it is the earnest all round cricketer who suddenly seems to be in the thick of things despite having batted in the format just once prior to the World Cup.

Remember in South Africa, Chase finished the series with a Did Not Bat twice and took just 1 wicket and scored a best knock in the twenties.

Also Read | Lionel Messi’s shares his views on the ongoing Barcelona election

That was then. 

Today is a different day and hopefully the games ahead will be wonderfully different for this committed West Indian. And his team.