West Indies head coach Daren Sammy remains focused on the long-term growth of his squad despite a difficult ongoing series against India. Sammy described the tour as a vital “good gauge” for assessing his team’s current position in the ODI format, particularly as they look toward future qualification cycles for the 2027 World Cup.
The team’s visit to India has unfolded against a backdrop of significant administrative change, most notably Cricket West Indies’ decision to implement a 25 per cent reduction in retainer fees for international players. Sammy acknowledged the gravity of the situation, noting that while such financial measures are not ideal, they are deemed necessary by the board to maintain sustainability. He remarked that there is no “Abracadabra” solution to the organization’s financial health, forcing the team to navigate these challenges with limited resources. I think, earlier this year when I was here for the Test series (in late 2025), we spoke about the financial situation of West Indies cricket. The board, you still got to find a way to stay afloat”, and I guess the administrators. Sammy, in New Chandigarh ahead of the third ODI, explained there was no magic fix to the situation. “If you have a business that is not doing well financially, you have to find ways to sustain it,” Sammy said. “Unless, I say ‘Abracadabra!’, then we get some big sum of money where we could entice our players to, you know, just let them know that everything is going to be okay financially. I said, ‘There is no better time to play India.
Motivating players in such an environment has been complex. Sammy admitted, “Look, that is not what you want to hear before a series,” referencing the financial news that preceded their arrival. Nevertheless, he has encouraged his players to view matches against the world’s top-ranked side as a prime professional opportunity. He emphasized that performing well against India offers individual and team-wide leverage that cannot be matched, even if the current results highlight the gap between the two sides. “Performing against India always brings that extra incentive that could later down the road, incentives pay you back for your performance.
Tactically, the head coach has been critical of the team’s inability to capitalize on advantageous positions. A specific point of contention occurred during the match in Guwahati, where West Indies looked strong at 329/3 after 40 overs but stalled to finish on 405/7. Sammy noted that on high-scoring pitches, teams should ideally double their 30-over score; in this instance, a score of approximately 230 after 30 overs should have pushed them well toward 450 or higher.
Sammy also addressed the struggle of his bowling unit, which has found it difficult to contain India’s explosive batting lineup on flatter surfaces. While noting that the lack of luck in toss results—which might have allowed his bowlers to exploit conditions like reverse swing—has been a factor, he insisted that there are no excuses for failing to execute disciplined lines and lengths. He praised the consistency of batters like Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, while also acknowledging the resilience of captain Shai Hope, who has performed well in the challenging conditions. The bowling has suffered on lifeless tracks, failing to curb a dominant Indian top-order, while their batters have made the most of helpful conditions.
Looking at the broader picture, Sammy highlighted the team’s mixed track record. While West Indies have struggled significantly away from home—having failed to beat a Full Member nation on foreign soil since their 2019 victory over Afghanistan in India—they have successfully turned their home ground into a “fortress” over the last two and a half years, winning three consecutive series between 2024 and 2025.
As the tour transitions into the T20I leg, Sammy remains committed to his KPIs of strike rotation and intent against spin. He stressed that while the current series has served as a mirror reflecting the team’s ongoing struggles, it has provided the clear, objective data necessary for their development. The ten-spot discrepancy in the ICC rankings between the two sides underscores the mountain they have to climb to remain competitive at the highest level.
