IND vs WI: Darren Sammy hopes to end West Indies’ 24-year ODI streak in India

West Indies head coach Darren Sammy hopes his side can end a 24-year wait when they take on India in the three-match ODI series starting in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday.

West Indies last won an ODI series in India in 2002 when Carl Hooper was the captain and their batting line-up featured Chris Gayle, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Marlon Samuels. Sammy now wants his team to end the long wait against Shubman Gill’s India.

“It’s been 24 years, we haven’t won a series here in India,” Sammy said ahead of the first ODI on Sunday.

“It’s a great opportunity for us as a team to come here and challenge ourselves and measure where we are in ODIs. It’s a great opportunity for us, the players we have, to come and put on a good show against India and try to win the series, which we haven’t done in 24 years,” added the former two-time T20 World Cup winning captain.

West Indies are currently ranked 10th in ODIs, but Sammy believes the team has made progress in recent years.

“If we have to look back at where we have been and what we have been able to achieve as an ODI team, we have made some strides,” he said.

Shai Hope remains the most experienced batsman in the current West Indies squad with 19 ODI centuries, but Sammy feels the squad has a few players capable of hitting against the top team.

“Shai Hope is not the only one scoring hundreds. We got hundreds from different players. Amir Jangoo, the way he played, we saw a glimpse of Sherfan (Rutherford). I think we were looking for that type of form in 2024-2025,” said Sammy.

West Indies will also rely on Alzarri Joseph, who heads into the series after helping Antigua win the Caribbean Premier League title.

“Alzarri Joseph is back bowling well, he just helped Antigua win the CPL title. So yes, we want to give everyone an opportunity in these three matches,” said Sammy.

Sammy is also backing 19-year-old wrist-spinner Vitel Lawes to make an impact. Lawes made his ODI debut against New Zealand a few months ago and has impressed the coaching staff ever since he made the squad.

“Vitel, for me, he’s a find for us. What we saw in him, what made him make his debut against New Zealand, was part of the planning and processes we put in place. You’ve been hearing me talk about the wrist-spinner in the West Indies team for years now,” Sammy said.

“He’s come in and made an immediate impact on our bowling unit. He’s still got a long way to go but we’ll continue to develop him either through playing games or the specific work we’ve put in place for him. He’s worked really well with Nikita Miller (spin bowling coach) and Ravi Rampaul here on tour.”

West Indies will look to their experienced players and new talent as they look to end their long wait for an ODI series win in India.

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