JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — West Indies head coach Daren Sammy has praised left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie for his resilience, work ethic, and commitment to self-improvement after the bowler produced a decisive performance in the third and final T20 International against South Africa on Saturday.
Motie’s display not only sealed a narrow six-run West Indies victory under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method in a rain-reduced contest, but also marked a personal turning point following months of technical adjustment and renewed confidence building.
From setback to reset
Just three months ago, Motie’s international future appeared uncertain. The 30-year-old was omitted from the West Indies T20I squad for the New Zealand tour in November after a dip in form linked to a technical flaw in his bowling action.
Rather than rushing him back, Cricket West Indies opted for a longer-term solution. Through a collaboration with the Royals Sports Group, Motie was sent to South Africa to work with specialists, refine his mechanics, and rebuild confidence ahead of the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, scheduled for February 7 to March 8 in Sri Lanka and India.
Impact when it mattered most
Although Motie went wicketless during the preceding three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, his lone appearance in South Africa proved decisive.
Introduced in a match reduced to just 10 overs per side, Motie delivered a game-changing spell of 3 for 17 from two overs, earning Player of the Match honors and playing a central role in West Indies’ dramatic win.
New skills, new confidence
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Sammy revealed that Motie’s success was the result of deliberate planning and months of focused skill development.
“In 2025 Motie really lacked some confidence. So, we had a plan, myself, with Sangakarra, the director of Royals, and we came up with a plan after Bangladesh that Motie would come down to South Africa to do some skill work before this series here; and I must say that Motie has maximised the time.
“The specific training that he got, that chinaman he’s bowling now, he’s been practising it for a while, and to gain the confidence he came to Abu Dhabi to play against Afghanistan, and we saw he’s slowly getting his confidence back,” Sammy said.
Expanding the arsenal
Sammy emphasized that Motie’s evolving skill set now offers greater tactical flexibility, particularly his ability to challenge batters on both sides of the wicket.
“We had a combination we wanted to play, and just him getting that opportunity, it opens the door for us because now he can challenge both sides of the bat, whether it’s a right- or left-hander. Motie bowls it in the nets, it’s been a while now, but to have the confidence to do it now …”
A bowler central to past and future success
The West Indies coach concluded by highlighting Motie’s importance to the team’s blueprint moving forward, especially recalling the impact of his middle-overs wickets during previous successful campaigns.
“I’m so happy for him because we all know when we were successful, the wickets he took in the middle were crucial for us. So, kudos to Motie for making use of the opportunity and the time to fine-tune his skills and his craft,” Sammy added.
For Motie, the performance represented more than just figures on a scorecard, it was a reaffirmation of trust, preparation, and belief at a crucial juncture in the West Indies’ World Cup journey.
