Sammy Targets India ODI Series Win as West Indies Seek Progress
West Indies head coach Daren Sammy has put the spotlight firmly on the three-match ODI series against India, calling it a key measure of how far his side has come in the format.
The opening game is scheduled for Sunday in Thiruvananthapuram, with West Indies chasing a result that has escaped them for more than two decades. They have not won a bilateral ODI series in India since 2002, and Sammy wants his players to embrace the challenge rather than hide from it.
“It’s been 24 years, we’ve not won a series here in India,” Sammy said. “So it’s a great opportunity for us as a team to come out here and challenge ourselves and measure ourselves as to where we are in ODIs.”
The also arrives at an important point in the Caribbean side’s World Cup planning. West Indies missed automatic qualification for the 2027 World Cup and are set to enter the qualifiers in February.
For the coach, the immediate task is clear. He wants the group to use matches against India to sharpen the cricket needed for the qualifiers, where securing a place at the World Cup will be the main target.
“If you have to win a major ICC event, especially in the white-ball format, you have to beat India,” he said. “We’re playing them here at home, in their conditions.”
The coach also pointed to the progress West Indies have made despite missing out on direct qualification. The side had reduced a sizeable points gap and came within six points of an automatic place.
There are signs of a broader batting group, too. Shai Hope remains a major contributor, but the coach highlighted hundreds from other players and singled out Amir Jangoo and Sherfane Rutherford for their recent development.
Alzarri Joseph also returns to the setup after bowling strongly and helping Antigua win the CPL title. The squad will use all three games to assess different players and combinations.
One of the more interesting developments has been the emergence of 19-year-old wristspinner Vitel Lawes. He made his ODI debut against New Zealand in July and collected eight wickets across five matches.
The head coach described Lawes as a significant find for the side, crediting the planning behind his introduction and the impact he has already had on the bowling unit.
“He’s still got a long way to go,” he said, while stressing that the teenager will continue receiving opportunities to develop. Lawes has also worked closely with Nikita Miller and Ravi Rampaul during the tour.
The West Indies vs India ODI contest therefore carries more weight than a three-game series on the calendar. India provide a demanding test in familiar home conditions, while West Indies have a chance to judge their depth, sharpen their plans and see where the current group stands.
For Daren Sammy, the bigger picture is already clear. The February qualifiers are waiting, and every competitive game before then matters. Every over will carry its own lesson.
