Daren Sammy says West Indies have sent a strong message before India T20I decider

Sammy points to progress amid financial pressure

West Indies head coach Daren Sammy says his side has made a statement by taking its five-match T20I series against India to a decider, despite substantial challenges facing Caribbean cricket.

The West Indies lost the preceding ODI series 1-2, but have since made the T20 contest a deciding match. Sammy, who captained the team to the 2016 World T20 title, called the series “box-office TV stuff” and said success for his squad was best measured by its progress.

“In spite of all the challenges that we face, if we could come here and compete against the best team in the world – the defending champs – we tick boxes that keep us in the conversation,” Sammy said.

Retainer cuts add to the strain

The team began the India tour against a difficult financial backdrop. Before the trip, Cricket West Indies announced a 25% reduction in international players’ retainer fees and suspended this year’s men’s Super50 and women’s T20 Blaze tournaments because of financial pressures.

Sammy said the players knew about the cuts before the series began but had not allowed the setbacks to define them. “The way we’ve played, we’ve sent a strong message,” he said, adding that consistent performances and commitment could allow the squad to “compete and win games against anybody in the world.”

West Indies’ appeal reaches beyond results

Sammy also argued that the team’s significance is not limited to wins and losses. He said West Indies cricket can make matches more compelling for viewers and has a wider emotional impact across the Caribbean.

“When the West Indies does well, it lightens the mood of every person in the Caribbean,” Sammy said.