Captain fantastic: Tevin Imlach leads with purpose and integrity

Born and raised in Georgetown, Tevin Imlach has emerged as the new generation leader for Guyana after taking over from Leon Johnson—a daunting act to follow, given Johnson’s legacy of six titles, including five in succession from 2015 to 2019.

Yet Imlach has already carved his own space in the pantheon of Guyanese cricket captains. After guiding his country to back-to-back titles, he joins the ranks of Sir Clive Lloyd, Carl Hooper, and Roger Harper, each of whom led Guyana to two regional four-day crowns.

Imlach led Guyana to its 15th West Indies Championship title when they clinched first innings honours in their drawn final-round encounter against Trinidad and Tobago Red Force at Queen’s Park Oval.

But amid the celebrations, a moment of gloom crept into the Harpy Eagles’ parade. Two players were heavily fined for altering the condition of the ball—a rare stain on what was otherwise a dominant and disciplined campaign.

For Captain Imlach, the disappointment was deep and personal.

“Obviously it is very disappointing because we played six rounds of good cricket, no issues, and you come into the final game in a very good position, and for something like that to come up is very disappointing not only for me but for the team in general,” Imlach expressed.

“It would’ve clouded everything, cast a shadow over everything we did prior to the final encounter, everything we achieved and worked for in the tournament. This is not something you want to see, and with the options available to the players, they chose to accept it with the aim of moving forward,” he added.

The 28-year-old skipper distanced himself from the incident.

“I’ve built my entire career through hard work, dedication, and a commitment to playing the game the right way. Cricket has always meant more to me than just winning—it’s about integrity, discipline, and respect for the sport,” he declared.

mlach’s words not only echoed his personal ethos but also served as a reminder of the spirit in which the game should be played—a sentiment that has come to define his leadership.

Hailed as “Captain Fantastic” by teammates, Imlach missed the opening round due to West Indies duties in Pakistan. Upon his return, he lit up the tournament with 538 runs at an average of 68.25, scoring three centuries.

Two of those centuries came in moments of crisis—one notably against the Leeward Islands Hurricanes, where his crucial 123 helped secure a draw and keep the Harpy Eagles atop the table going into the final round.

Behind the stumps, he was equally impressive, recording 20 dismissals—16 catches and four stumpings—in a tidy display of wicketkeeping. Over time, the victories have become sweeter for the 2016 U-19 World Cup winner, and 2025’s result is no exception.

“This title ranks very high for me because to win a four-day title is not an easy job, and to actually come out and win this once again, it is special,” he shared.

“We are getting accustomed to winning them, but every year gives a different challenge, something new and a better feeling once we win,” Imlach shared.

Imlach fulfilled a childhood dream in Multan when he became the 341st player to represent the West Indies in Test cricket. Now, he offers himself as a role model to aspiring wicketkeeper batters throughout the Caribbean.

“Enjoy cricket, enjoy the game, enjoy practice, enjoy the process of getting to a higher level and enjoying the journey and what it entails and not just the destination,” he explained.

“It’s not just about playing Test cricket; it is about the work you do to get there, and if you can find joy in practice and getting better every single day, makes the moment even more special when you get to the ultimate prize,” Imlach stated.

With a deep reservoir of self-belief and a clear vision of cricket’s greater values, Tevin Imlach is not just winning titles—he’s building a legacy. (SportsMax)