Sammy sees India series as a test of ODI progress

The upcoming three-match ODI series between India and West Indies gets underway in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday, September 27 and gives head coach Daren Sammy an opportunity to assess his squad against the top-ranked side in the ICC Men's ODI Team Rankings.

Sammy believes the series will provide a  measure of his side’s progress in the format, with the visitors also aiming to end a 24-year wait for a bilateral ODI series win in India. Their last triumph had come when Carl Hopper-led West Indies had defeated Sourav Ganguly's India in 2002.

"It's been 24 years, we've not won a series here in India," Sammy said ahead of the first game on Sunday. 

"It's a great opportunity for us as a team to come out here and challenge ourselves and measure up ourselves as to where we are in ODIs. 

"It's a great opportunity for us, the players that we have, to come and put in a good show against India and look to win a series, something we've not done in 24 years."

The West Indies coach also sees a lot of positives in his side, encouraged by the spread of contributions within the ODI side, with several players making an impact at different points.

"If we have to look back as to where we were and what we've been able to achieve as an ODI team, we've made some strides. 

"Shai Hope is not the only one scoring hundreds. We've gotten hundreds from different players.

“Amir Jangoo, the way he's played, we've seen a glimpse of Sherfane [Rutherford]. I think in 2024-2025, we were looking for that type of form. 

“Alzarri Joseph is back bowling well, just helped Antigua win a CPL title. So yes, we want to give everybody an opportunity in those three games."

Among the players to emerge in recent months is 19-year-old wristspinner Vitel Lawes, who made his ODI debut against New Zealand in July. 

The spinner claimed three wickets in his very first game and made a bigger impact through the series, claiming eight wickets through the series at a very good economy rate of 5.30. Incidentally, this was the List-A debut for the youngster too.

Sammy was pleased with the young spinner's progress and highlighted the work being done to develop him further.

"Vitel, to me, he's a find for us. What we saw in him that caused him to debut against New Zealand was all part of the planning and the processes we put in place. You've heard me for years talking about a wristspinner in the West Indies team. 

“He came in and he immediately had an impact on the bowling unit for us. Still got a long way to go but we will continue with his development through either playing games or the specific work we've put in place for him. He's worked really well with Nikita Miller and Ravi Rampaul here on tour.

"We'll continue creating those opportunities for him and hopefully he could continue to grow. A little bit fast-tracked but we're pleased with what he's done so far."

Series schedule:

1st ODI - September 27, Thiruvananthapuram

2nd ODI - September 30, Guwahati

3rd ODI - October 3, New Chandigarh