“Wouldn’t be here if we didn’t believe we could win”: Darren Sammy Fires Up West Indies Ahead of T20 World Cup 2026 Opener
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Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], February 7 :
West Indies head coach Darren Sammy said his team strongly believes they can win the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, even if many people are not considering them favourites.
West Indies will start their campaign against Scotland at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Saturday.
West Indies Confident of Winning the Trophy
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Sammy backed the talent in the squad. He said success will depend on execution in all departments.
“We wouldn’t be here if we didn’t believe we could win. It feels like the same scenario as ten years ago, where nobody gave us a chance,” he said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
He added that strong performance with bat, ball, and in the field can take them all the way.
“If we go out and execute with both ball and bat, and also in the field, we will win it,” he said.
Coach Recalls 2012 and 2016 Triumphs
The West Indies coach also reminded everyone of the team’s title wins in 2012 and 2016. During those years, the Caribbean side won the trophy despite not being the top favourite.
According to him, the current team is in a similar situation. The group has quality and match-winners.
West Indies Among Most Successful Teams
West Indies remain one of only three teams to have won the T20 World Cup twice. Sammy said the team once dominated the format.
“There was a period between probably 2009 and 2016 where we really invented the game,” he said.
Sammy Highlights Challenges in West Indies Cricket
At the same time, he admitted that West Indies cricket faces several challenges. These include player retention, development, and infrastructure.
He said the team often succeeds despite limitations. However, he hopes for a stronger system in the future.
Current Squad Can Create a New Era
Sammy said the 2016 World Cup-winning team did not get enough time to pass on experience to the next generation.
Still, he believes the current players can build their own legacy. He added that understanding West Indies history can inspire the group.
Scotland Can Be a Dangerous Opponent
Ahead of the opener, Sammy warned that Scotland can be tricky in T20 cricket. He said shorter formats reduce the margin for error.
“Scotland has always been a tricky opponent. The shorter the games, the closer it brings the teams,” he said.
He also made it clear that West Indies cannot think of themselves as favourites.
“We’ve got to execute a good game every single time. Let the dance start tomorrow,” he concluded.
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