West Indies India decider: Sammy praises progress despite financial setbacks

The West Indies India T20I series heads into its deciding match in Bengaluru on Saturday, October 17, with visiting coach Daren Sammy praising his team's progress. Speaking in the city on Friday, Sammy said competing with the defending world champions had given the side confidence despite financial difficulties.

West Indies have pushed the five-match contest to a final game after losing the preceding ODI series 1-2. A series victory would make them the first side to beat India in a home bilateral T20I contest since February 2019.

Sammy said success for his team needed to be measured through improvement as well as results. He argued that their performances showed they could compete with leading sides when players consistently gave their best.

In the West Indies India contest, Sammy identified bowling execution after the PowerPlay as a key factor. He said maintaining momentum beyond the opening phase improved the team's chances, even when India's batters began strongly.

The visitors took all 10 wickets in each of the previous two matches. Sammy regarded that as encouraging in conditions he described as difficult for bowlers, while identifying Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma as batters the side needed to contain.

The performances have come against a challenging financial backdrop. Before the tour, Cricket West Indies announced that international players' retainer fees would be reduced by 25%.

The board also suspended this year's men's Super50 competition and women's T20 Blaze because of budget constraints. Those decisions formed part of the difficulties Sammy said the players had continued to work through.

Sammy said the series would help build confidence ahead of the 2027 World Cup qualifiers. He also stressed the wider value of a competitive West Indies side, saying strong performances could draw viewers and lift spirits across the Caribbean.