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'The swagger is back' - Daren Sammy thrilled with West Indies' T20I surge

West Indies head coach Daren Sammy hailed his team’s resilient performance in a hard-fought 2-2 draw with India in their five-match T20I series, calling the result a major step forward for the franchise. The series, which concluded with the final match washed out in Bengaluru on October 18, 2026, marked the first time West Indies had split a bilateral T20I series in India, having lost all three prior contests against the hosts since 2023.

Sammy emphasized the team’s improved confidence and competitive spirit, noting they had matched India’s defending champions in multiple phases of play, even in their own backyard. The coach credited the squad’s recent momentum, which began with their home victory over Sri Lanka and continued through their Super 8s appearance at the 2026 T20 World Cup in India, where the team’s swagger and belief returned after a period of struggle.

Though West Indies fell short of winning the series, Sammy framed the draw as a turning point, highlighting their ability to challenge India on their own terms—a stark contrast to their previous struggles in away T20Is against the hosts.

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