Windies’ record-breaking finish fuels Sammy’s belief

West Indies head coach Daren Sammy believes the team’s performance against India has provided convincing evidence that the Windies can compete with the best in the world, despite losing the three-match One-Day International (ODI) series 2-1.

India, the world’s No. 1-ranked ODI team, secured the series after winning the opening two matches by eight wickets each. But West Indies responded emphatically in the finale on Saturday, producing a record-breaking run chase to claim a five-wicket victory.

For Sammy, the final result offered more than a consolation win. It demonstrated what West Indies can achieve when they sustain their standards against elite opposition.

Consistency the key

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Sammy said the series provided an important measure of where his 10th-ranked side stands against the highest-ranked team in the format.

“We came here knowing the quality that India has and to measure ourselves against a quality team like that, and we showed that when we do things consistently well for long enough, we could match the number one team in the world,” Sammy said.

The West Indies coach said the experience should strengthen both the team’s belief and its understanding of what is required to compete consistently at the highest level.

A victory to build on

Although India had already secured the series before the final match, West Indies’ response in the decider was emphatic.

The visitors successfully chased India’s imposing total in the third ODI, completing the highest successful ODI chase in West Indies history and closing the series with a performance Sammy viewed as fully deserved.

“So, we’ll take a lot of learning from this, belief as well…and it was a well-deserved victory,” he said.

The result leaves West Indies with the series loss, but Sammy believes the manner of the final victory has given the team a valuable reference point as it seeks to close the gap on the world’s leading sides.