If West Indies manages to become the first team to beat India in a bilateral T20I series at home since February 2019, it will be some achievement.

Coach Daren Sammy is understandably delighted with the performance of his wards leading into the last contest in Bengaluru on Saturday (October 17, 2026).

“If we can come here and compete against the defending [world] champions, we have ticked the boxes to keep us in the conversation,” Sammy said on Friday.

“Before the series started, we had the pay cuts. We are a team that brings entertainment to the world when we are doing well, and that’s despite all the challenges. This series will give a lot of confidence in the lead-up to the [2027] World Cup qualifiers. I think we’ve sent a strong message.”

Sammy stated that it was the bowlers’ execution beyond the PowerPlays that has proved key.

“If you have the momentum coming out of the PowerPlay, and you could keep it, you give yourself a better chance. In the last game, we kept them [India] below the required rate even when they were flying.

“We’ve managed to get 10 wickets [each] in the last two games, and that’s a good sign when conditions are very tough for bowlers. We just need to continue to focus on ways to stop [Sanju] Samson when he’s flowing, and Abhishek [Sharma] when that time comes.”

India bowling coach Morne Morkel felt that the five-match T20 series against the West Indies would provide a good platform to develop the country’s next batch of players in this format.

“Yes, it will be great for Indian cricket if we keep on growing that pool, keep on giving guys that experience and the taste of what it is to play in an Indian shirt,” said Morkel.

“The main goal will always be to win games. This group of players has played some exceptional cricket in the last couple of years. The guys who got opportunities have done a brilliant job. So it is about looking at the bigger picture, but you also want to win games with them. You want to give the guys who have done well so far the chance to continue that,” he added.

On Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s development, Morkel was of the opinion that being around the team will be useful for the youngster even if he doesn’t make it to the XI.

“If he’s not getting that game time, he’s still on a bus, in the dugout, in the hotel with guys who have a lot of experience. Vaibhav sharing that sort of dressing room and talking to guys, watching how they go through their processes and how they set up an innings will be key.

“I’m a big believer that if you put guys in the right environment, they can ask the right questions and observe. I always ask him on the bus, ‘What’s the one thing you’ve learned today? Tell me, what did you think about that guy’s batting?’ That makes him think. The next time he comes to the nets, he will observe those things and adapt,” said Morkel.