West Indies head coach Daren Sammy hopes their spirited performance against India will help attract sponsors and boost finances. After a 2-2 T20I series draw, Sammy said, "We need somebody to put a shoulder around West Indies cricket - financially, that is." He believes this success helps secure vital investment.
West Indies head coach Daren Sammy has made an emotional appeal for financial support to revive Caribbean cricket, hoping the team's spirited showing against India will help Cricket West Indies attract sponsors and secure greater investment.
After losing the three-match ODI series 1-2, West Indies pushed India hard in the five-match T20I series, holding the two-time defending T20 World Cup champions to a 2-2 draw. Sammy believes the performances could help the team make a stronger case to stakeholders and potential investors as West Indies cricket continues to grapple with financial challenges.
"My mom always said, you must have a care factor. No matter what you do in life, you should never lose that care factor. I think we're in a position where we need somebody to put a shoulder around West Indies cricket - financially, that is," Sammy said after the fifth and final T20I was washed out in Bengaluru on Saturday night.
"Series like this, here in India against the best team in the world, puts us in a conversation closer to that."
Sammy drew a contrast between India's cricketing infrastructure and the challenges facing the West Indies, arguing that sustained investment and planning have helped India build a team accustomed to competing for major honours.
"India will win the World Cup every time they go somewhere in an ICC event. They expect to win. It is because of all the things they've put in place. When the West Indies goes somewhere, we've got to perform in spite of. Because and in spite... there are two different words," he said.
The former West Indies captain hopes the team's performances in India will strengthen Cricket West Indies' position in discussions with sponsors and other stakeholders.
"One is that things have been put in place. The other one, in spite, is because of the challenges. But we are still doing that. I think we've taken a big step.
"Hopefully, the conversations with stakeholders and the sponsors could be a little bit better after this series. Some investment comes where it could put us in a position to be better all round," Sammy added.
'THE SWAGGER IS BACK'
Beyond the financial concerns, Sammy was encouraged by the confidence and intent shown by his players against one of the strongest teams in international cricket.
"Look, we all know what it takes to play for the West Indies... the challenges. To play a team that has been so good for so long, especially in that format, it is a wonderful thing. All the guys in the dressing room, they've gone out there and played with intent," he said.
"I think what was good to see was the swagger is back, the confidence is back. It started during the workup and you could see guys enjoying it and there was a willingness to win. And that's where it starts. The belief that we belong where we are and to have the performances that says we belong there."
Sammy said his responsibility as head coach was to create an environment in which players could develop a winning mindset, even when results did not go their way.
"For me as a coach, it's trying to create that environment, that winning mindset. The belief in players and sometimes you take two steps forward but because of the nature of the sport, certain things might happen and you might think you take three or four steps backwards.
"But to continue working and continue taking steps in the right direction. That's what I'm about. I know there's a lot of noise but I have very small ears so I don't really hear. That's how I go about doing it," he said.
Sammy also credited spinners Roston Chase and Gudakesh Motie for their contributions during the T20I series, pointing to their ability to build pressure by restricting India's scoring opportunities.
"I think it's just the mindset, not bowling too many boundary balls. I think that's the key here on good wickets. I'm not too sure about the stats but I'm pretty sure they had the most dots in the series.
"Roston... really proud of how he bowled throughout this series. Especially in that game (Hyderabad), I think he was the difference between us chasing 250 and 270. Motie was also excellent," Sammy said.
While Sammy was pleased with the team's progress, he admitted that the abandoned fifth T20I was a disappointment, as West Indies missed the opportunity to secure a series victory in India.
The series ended 2-2 after rain washed out the decider in Bengaluru, where India had reached 118 for five in 7.4 overs in a rain-shortened contest.
"Obviously, we wanted to win because it's something we've not done forever in India. I can't recall when we beat India (in India) in a series last time. It would have been nice. But I think the cup is still in our favour because we won the home leg the last time 3-2. It's a true reflection of how the teams have played," he said.
Sammy also recalled how West Indies had entered the series as underdogs but had managed to challenge the reigning T20 world champions.
"I'm pretty sure when the series started, we probably didn't have a chance. That was just the opinion of others. We don't ever take for granted where we are as a team, the challenges that we face. We just look to make little strides.
"I think after this series, we've taken a massive step. Hopefully, that type of energy could help us finish the year on a positive note," he added.