Ahead of the series decider at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, West Indies head coach Daren Sammy reflected on his squad’s notable growth during the tour. With the five-match T20I series locked at 2-2, Sammy emphasized that tangible progress on Indian soil outweighed the immediate outcome in Bengaluru, noting it marks the first time in two decades his team has secured more than two victories in India. “I think it’s the first time we’ve won more than two games on Indian soil in 20 years. Even when India started quickly, west Indies have done that in the last two games. What our bowlers have been able to do in the last two games is restrict them. “We’ve managed to get ten wickets in two games. That’s a good sign when the wickets are very tough for bowlers. It’s not about whether the pitch is good or not; it’s about executing. Most times, no matter how good the wicket is, there’s a spot on the wicket versus the batsman that is more challenging to get runs. Weather permitting, would cap a productive tour for West Indies, another strong performance at the Chinnaswamy on Saturday.
The batting unit has consistently delivered on favorable tracks, out-hitting India with 57 sixes compared to their opponents’ 41 across the first four T20Is. Additionally, dot-ball consumption throughout the ODI and T20I segments has reached record-low levels. However, Sammy pointed to post-Powerplay bowling execution as the defining factor allowing the visitors to stay competitive against the defending champions. If we could come here and compete against the best team in the world, the defending champions.”, in spite of all the challenges that we face. The guys are a little bit more precise in their execution, with the field spread. So we just need to continue to focus on ways of stopping Samson when he’s flowing and Abhishek when that time comes.”, the execution outside the Powerplay has been spot on.
Preventing India from carrying early momentum into the middle overs has been central to their strategy. In the third T20I in Indore, West Indies restricted India to 136 for 9 at 9.71 runs per over. During the fourth T20I in Hyderabad, despite India racing to 50 in three overs while chasing 248, the bowling attack kept the hosts below the required rate at 143 for 7, conceding 15 or more runs in an over only once across the remaining 16.3 overs. “Once we can limit the damage done in the Powerplay, because in T20 cricket, momentum is a hell of a thing. You put yourself in a better chance of winning, if you have the momentum coming out of the Powerplay and you can keep it. I think the game before [third T20I in Indore] we restricted them to under 10 runs an over (136/9 at 9.71 an over). When the asking rate was 11.78 at the end of the Powerplay), even when they got to a flyer.”, and I think last game [fourth T20I in Hyderabad] we kept them below the required rate (143/7 at 10.59 an over. It makes the job a little easier, the way he continues to keep us in the game by applying pressure. “Force your opposition to hit more of the balls that you execute out of the pack. Once West Indies is doing well, it lightens the mood of every single person, people in the Caribbean.
Roston Chase has anchored this middle-overs containment. As the joint-highest wicket-taker in the series with six scalps, four arrived between overs seven and 15 while maintaining an economy rate of 6.80. Sammy praised the offspinner’s ability to apply sustained pressure and anchor the bowling effort.
Addressing the tactical approach on unhelpful pitches, Sammy stressed the importance of meticulous delivery sequencing—utilizing wide yorkers, slower deliveries, and bumpers to target opposition weaknesses. Concluding his assessment, the coach emphasized that making international cricket competitive not only boosts global viewership but also lifts spirits back home in the Caribbean. The margin for error is quite slim, on these pitches. For Sammy, the significance extends beyond the series result: his side have made the contest competitive and given supporters back home something to rally around.
