Daren Sammy sees the upcoming three-match ODI series against India as more than another bilateral assignment. For the West Indies head coach, it is an opportunity to measure his side against one of the strongest teams in the format before an important phase of their World Cup journey.
The series begins in Thiruvananthapuram on September 27, with further ODIs in Guwahati and New Chandigarh. India currently occupy the No. 1 position in the ICC ODI rankings, making the contest a significant test for a West Indies side still working towards the 2027 World Cup.
Sammy was clear about what a strong performance could mean for his team.
“If you have to win a major ICC event, especially in the white-ball format, you have to beat India.”
The West Indies have not won a bilateral ODI series in India since 2002-03, when they won a seven-match series 4-3. Sammy acknowledged the 24-year wait while framing the upcoming contest as an opportunity to assess how far his team has progressed.
“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 timing of the series adds another layer to its importance. West Indies will have to go through the ODI World Cup qualification tournament early next year after missing out on automatic qualification for the 2027 tournament. Sammy said the India series will help the team fine-tune its plans before that campaign.
The West Indies have also retained a core group from their recent ODI campaign, while bringing several players into important roles. Shai Hope will captain the side, with the squad also featuring Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Sherfane Rutherford, Keacy Carty and Gudakesh Motie.
For Sammy, the objective extends beyond simply competing in India. A strong showing would give the team a clearer indication of how its players and combinations hold up against top-level opposition.
The first ODI therefore arrives as a test with two timelines attached: West Indies’ immediate attempt to challenge India and their longer-term preparation for the World Cup qualification campaign.
