'The swagger is back' - Sammy thrilled with West Indies' T20I surge

"It's a true reflection of how all the teams have played, especially for our guys," Sammy said at the post-match press conference. "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," Sammy said, "because 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.

"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."

Sammy hopes the on-field progress can lead West Indies towards financial security from a place of instability. A key source of that instability, according to CWI CEO Chris Dehring, dates back to 1997, when the ICC voted - CWI (then WICB) were outvoted by other members - to change the financial model of international cricket, leading to host boards pocketing all the revenue generated by bilateral series. With the loss of touring fees, boards representing smaller populations, such as the West Indies, lost a key source of financial stability.

"You heard the CEO spoke about things that happened in 1997 that kind of has us in this situation," Sammy said, "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.

"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] 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."

Before drawing this series in India, West Indies had beaten Sri Lanka in a T20I series at home and made the semi-finals of the 2026 T20 World Cup in India in March.

"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," Sammy said.

"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."