West Indies head coach Daren Sammy has called for greater financial investment in Caribbean cricket after his team fought back from two defeats to draw its five-match Twenty20 International series against India 2–2, with rain washing out Saturday’s decisive match.
The series concluded on October 17 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, where persistent rain forced the abandonment of the fifth and final match after India reached 118 for five in 7.4 overs in a contest reduced to nine overs per side.
The result denied both teams an outright series victory and marked the first time since 2022 that India had failed to win a home T20I series.
West Indies’ recovery was particularly significant after the visitors lost the opening two matches and faced the prospect of another series defeat in India. They responded by winning the third and fourth matches to level the contest at 2–2 and force a decider.
The five-match series ran from September 27 to October 17, with West Indies showing greater consistency as the contest progressed. The fourth-match victory, a 24-run win, brought the Caribbean side level and set up Saturday’s decisive encounter.
Rain ultimately prevented the teams from completing the series, but West Indies captain Shai Hope emerged as the leading batter across both sides. He scored 261 runs in four innings at an average of 130.5 and was named Player of the Series. Fast bowler Keemo Paul was West Indies’ leading wicket-taker, claiming eight wickets in three matches.
Speaking after the final match, Sammy said the 2–2 result reflected the progress made by his players against the reigning T20 World Cup champions.
He also used the occasion to highlight the financial challenges facing West Indies cricket, particularly in comparison with India’s well-resourced cricketing system.
“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.
Sammy expressed hope that the team’s performances would encourage sponsors and other stakeholders to increase their support.
“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,” he said.
His appeal comes amid financial pressures at Cricket West Indies, which recently announced a 25 per cent reduction in players’ retainer fees. The situation has renewed attention on the resources available to develop players, strengthen domestic competitions and maintain the regional team’s competitiveness.
Sammy contrasted India’s established structures and expectation of success with the challenges West Indies players face.
“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,” he said, adding that West Indies often have to perform despite difficult circumstances.
The drawn series offers encouragement for West Indies, whose players demonstrated that they could compete with one of the strongest teams in international cricket on its home ground.
India will now travel to New Zealand for an all-format tour beginning October 22, while West Indies are scheduled to visit Bangladesh for a two-Test International Cricket Council World Test Championship series.
For Sammy, the result represents both a sporting achievement and an opportunity to press for the investment he believes is necessary to sustain West Indies cricket’s progress.
