Sammy: 'Results have not gone our way, but we continue to improve'
His side heads into the third ODI 2-0 down against India, yet the West Indies head coach believes they have been making strides in the right direction. Success can mean very different things to teams, and West Indies head coach Daren Sammy understands that perfectly. His side heads into the third and final ODI in New Chandigarh 2-0 down against India, yet Sammy believes they have been making strides in the right direction.
"When I took on this job, one of the things we said was making home, the Caribbean, our fortress. We have been able to do so over the last two and a half years. We lost probably two series - the first one against India in 2023, then a one-match series against Sri Lanka after a game got rained off, and then we lost against New Zealand. But what we have been able to do is make home a fortress. To me, that is success.
"I understand what I have in my dressing room, the talent we have as a region, and what we could be. So, for me, success is not always winning series against the top team. It is the strides we take as an international team, and that goes across the board. "Just before the India tour began, Cricket West Indies announced a 25% pay cut in the player retainer fee as part of measures to address ongoing financial challenges. Sammy acknowledged the timing was far from ideal but said he understood the rationale." I told the guys there is no better time to play India. You win against the best team and you get some leverage - not only for West Indies as a whole, but for you personally. Performing against India always brings that extra incentive that can pay you back down the road." So we try our best but it is a big mirror - you can't escape seeing the reflection of all the struggles that are present. So I commend the guys for the way they have put their heads down."