Bengaluru, October 18, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
West Indies head coach Daren Sammy believes his team has taken a significant step forward after sharing the five-match T20I series 2-2 with India, with the decisive fifth match abandoned due to rain.
Reflecting on his side’s performances against the reigning world champions on their home turf, Sammy highlighted the return of confidence, belief and competitive spirit among his players. He also stressed the need for greater financial support to secure the future of West Indies cricket.
For Sammy, the series represented more than just the final scoreline. The West Indies arrived in India facing doubts about their ability to challenge the hosts, but their performances throughout the contest offered encouragement as the team continued working towards its long-term ambitions.
“It’s a true reflection of how all the teams have played, especially for our guys. I’m pretty sure when the series started, we probably didn’t have a chance. But that was just the opinion of others. We would want to win because of something we’ve not done forever in India, so it would have been nice. I think the cup still is in our favour because we won the home leg the last time we played (in 2023) 3-2,” Sammy told reporters at the post-match press conference.
The result reinforced his belief that the West Indies are moving in the right direction, particularly after competing closely with a side that has established itself among the leading teams in international T20 cricket.
“We understand what success means to us; we don’t ever take for granted where we are as a team and the challenges that we face. We just look to make those strides, and I think after this series we’ve taken a massive step. We played against the defending champions, and we’ve matched them (and) in certain areas we’ve outplayed them, especially in their backyard,” he added.
Sammy also highlighted the broader importance of West Indies cricket and the need for financial backing to preserve its legacy and sustain the regional game.
“You heard the CEO spoke about things that happened in 1997 that kind of has us in this situation, but I think it’s important to understand what West Indies cricket means, not only to the region but to the world and to the game. I’ve heard the stories of guys (from past West Indies teams) spending three-four months in a place touring, playing warm-up matches, spreading their talent by the way they played and the fanbase that they created, and the revenue they generated for so many people,” he said.
He stressed that supporting West Indies cricket should go beyond the team’s immediate results, pointing to its historical contribution to the sport and its importance to the wider cricketing community.
“I think it’s important; my mom always says you must have a care factor. No matter what you do in life, the human nature should never lose that care factor. I think we’re in a position where we need somebody to put a (hand around the shoulder) of the West Indies cricket. Financially, that is, and series like this, here in India, against the best team in the world, puts us in a conversation closer to that,” Sammy said.
The West Indies coach was particularly encouraged by the renewed confidence and attacking intent displayed by his players, saying the team’s belief had begun to grow during the World Cup and had carried into the India series.
“All the guys in the dressing room, they’ve gone out there and played with intent and I think what was good to see is that the swagger is back, the confidence is back. It started during the World Cup and you could see guys enjoying, and there was a willingness to win. That’s where it starts; the belief that we belong where we are, and to have the performances that says you belong there. Hopefully, right now it’s just been consistent,” he added.
Although rain prevented the series from producing an outright winner, Sammy said the performances had strengthened the West Indies’ belief that they could compete with the world’s leading teams.
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