Performances in India series a confidence boost for 2027 World Cup Qualifiers: West Indies coach Daren Sammy

Daren Sammy’s West Indies will be looking to secure a series victory with victory in the final T20I. | Photo Credit: K MURALI KUMAR

If West Indies manages to become the first team to beat India in a bilateral T20I series at home since February 2019, it will be some achievement.

Coach Daren Sammy is understandably delighted with the performance of his wards leading into the last contest here on Saturday.

“If we can come here and compete against the defending [world] champions, we have ticked the boxes to keep us in the conversation,” Sammy said on Friday.

“Before the series started, we had the pay cuts. We are a team that brings entertainment to the world when we are doing well, and that’s despite all the challenges. This series will give a lot of confidence in the lead-up to the [2027] World Cup qualifiers. I think we’ve sent a strong message.”

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Sammy stated that it was the bowlers’ execution beyond the PowerPlays that has proved key.

“If you have the momentum coming out of the PowerPlay, and you could keep it, you give yourself a better chance. In the last game, we kept them [India] below the required rate even when they were flying.

“We’ve managed to get 10 wickets [each] in the last two games, and that’s a good sign when conditions are very tough for bowlers. We just need to continue to focus on ways to stop [Sanju] Samson when he’s flowing, and Abhishek [Sharma] when that time comes.”