A couple of days after making his international debut, Holder was signed up by the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL auction, at his base price of $20,000. Holder also made his T20I debut against New Zealand on January 15, 2014. He was also given a batting promotion by the Sunrisers Hyderabad, who sent him to bat ahead of all-rounders Karn Sharma and Parvez Rasool. He scored 16 off 12 balls in this match, which included a big six.

Early career

Holder made his ODI debut on 1 February 2013 against Australia. However, he got his emergence in the ODI against Pakistan where he picked up 4 for 13, although the performance was overshadowed by seven wicket haul by Pakistani Shahid Afridi. He made his T20I debut against New Zealand where he took 2–34 in 3 overs. Holder's first all-round performance in the international area showcased after he, along with Kemar Roach, helped his team to a tie against Pakistan with 19 not out off 9 deliveries in the third ODI in 2013.

After good performances in limited over arena, Holder was picked up for the Test squad in 2014. He made his Test debut on 26 June 2014 against New Zealand. He did not take any wicket in the first innings, but bowled economically with four maidens. In the second innings, Holder took his maiden Test wicket by dismissing Ross Taylor for 16 runs. He completed the match with 2 for 50. In batting, Holder scored 90 runs in the match including his maiden Test fifty. However, West Indies lost the match by 53 runs.

Captaincy

He was made the captain of the national team in ODI format by the West Indies Cricket Board selectors, by sacking Dwayne Bravo, who previously captained the ODI side. At 23 years, 72 days, he became the youngest ever West Indian captain. On 4 September 2015 he was named as the captain of the Test side for the tour to Sri Lanka. He became the second youngest test captain of all time for the West Indies and 15th youngest of all time for any Test Nation.

He led his team to quarter finals of the 2015 world cup where they lost to New Zealand. In the tournament, Holder scored two consecutive fifties both in losing causes to South Africa and India, respectively. He also scored a 26 ball 42 in their last match against New Zealand in the quarter final. Against South Africa in the World Cup, Holder conceded 104 runs, which is recorded as the second worst bowling figures World Cups and also as the worst bowling figures by a captain in a World Cup match.^[10]

In April 2015, he scored a maiden Test century against England to help secure a draw in the first Test.^[11]

Although West Indies lost many home and away series under Holder's captaincy, many former West Indian cricketers appreciated Holder's efforts as a captain because his team lacked experienced players such as Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels. The absence of these players was and still is because of an ongoing dispute between players and the West Indies Cricket Board.^[12][13][14]

On 2 July 2017, Holder took his maiden ODI five-wicket haul (5–27), in a low scoring game against India.