West Indies Coach Sammy Confident Ahead of T20 World Cup Opener vs Scotland
West Indies head coach Darren Sammy has declared his team's full belief in their ability to win the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, despite being underestimated by many. Speaking ahead of their campaign opener against Scotland at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Sammy emphasized that strong execution across all departments will be crucial for success.
"We Wouldn't Be Here If We Didn't Believe We Could Win"
Darren Sammy drew parallels to the 2012 and 2016 tournaments, where he captained the West Indies to back-to-back T20 World Cup titles despite not being favorites. "We wouldn't be here if we didn't believe we could win. And I know it feels like the same scenario as ten years ago, where nobody gave us a chance," Sammy stated, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
He highlighted the calibre of talent in the squad, stressing that precise execution with bat, ball, and in the field will be key. "If we go out - and my favourite word - execute with both ball and bat and also in the field, we will win it," Sammy added confidently.
Reflecting on West Indies' Proud History and Challenges
Sammy acknowledged the West Indies' proud history as two-time champions but pointed out the ongoing challenges in West Indies cricket. "We are one of three teams who've won the title twice. There was a period between probably 2009 and 2016 where we really invented the game. But cycles come," he explained.
He detailed the difficulties in player retention, development, facilities, and systems. "Especially with us, the challenges that we face are in keeping players, developing players, facilities, and systems. We face a whole lot of challenges," Sammy noted, expressing hope for a future where success is achieved "because of and not in spite of" these issues.
Inspiring a New Generation to Build a Legacy
The two-time T20 World Cup-winning captain reflected on the gap between the 2016 team and the current squad. "That 2016 team never really got the opportunity to pass on the knowledge to the crop that we have now," Sammy said, emphasizing the importance of understanding the team's rich history.
He believes this knowledge can inspire the current players to create their own special era. "You can't talk about cricket and not talk about the West Indies. Our cricketers are better known than our prime ministers. If you understand the history, if you know where you came from and what you've done, and now understand that you have an opportunity to shape the next generation," Sammy elaborated.
Sammy drew comparisons to past legends, stating, "Viv and his guys created their history. We created ours between 2007 and 2016. Now this crop could start something really special."
Warning Against Underestimating Scotland
Ahead of the opener against Scotland, Sammy issued a stern warning about their opponents. "Scotland has always been a tricky opponent. You go to a tournament with doubt and think of the past, then you're already behind the eight ball," he cautioned.
He highlighted the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket, where shorter games reduce the margin for error. "The shorter the games, the closer it brings the teams. So I will not sit down and say we're favourites. We've got to execute a good game of cricket every single time for us to win. Let the dance start tomorrow," Sammy concluded, setting the stage for an exciting match.
