T20 World Cup: Darren Sammy says West Indies must beat India in must-win Super Eights

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Darren Sammy faced questions in Kolkata before West Indies met India in a must-win Super Eights match on Sunday (March 1). The two-time T20 World Cup-winning captain, now head coach, stayed upbeat.

Sammy said West Indies needed a strong game under pressure. The contest carried high stakes for both teams in the tournament.

Sammy also spoke about a past knockout that still shaped the build-up. A decade earlier, West Indies led by Sammy knocked Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led India out. That happened in the 2016 semi-finals. When asked if it could happen again, Sammy said, "Well, I would say history can repeat itself. Although it was a different venue, but its two different teams. Two teams trying to move on in the tournament."

India vs West Indies match in Kolkata raises pressure

Sammy said India remained the key hurdle for teams chasing the title. Sammy said, "Youre absolutely right, I still think in order for you to win this tournament, you have to go through India at some point. Tomorrow is that day for us and weve got to play a good game of cricket in order to come out victorious. Im excited for the contest," Sammy said.

Sammy compared the atmosphere to a one-sided crowd, while backing West Indies to compete. Sammy said, "I am pretty sure they will have 80,000 67,000 here tomorrow and then another 1.4 billion supporting India. So it will still feel as a David and Goliath showdown, but like I said in 2016, David beat the Goliath. Thats what Im going to tell my boys tomorrow."

India vs West Indies match draws mixed Kolkata crowd response

Sammy said Kolkata supporters still approached West Indies members with goodwill. "I love being here Kolkata. They still stop by and say best of luck. But I ask them Kolkata fans, do you mean it? And then they say, yes, whoever plays well," Sammy treated it as respect for cricket.

Sammy linked West Indies popularity in India to earlier Caribbean greats. Sammy said, "It is more or less, it says, you know, what our greats have done playing in India, like Clive Lloyd, Sir Viv Richards and those guys. You know, the mark they left on the Indian fans before, we are still benefiting from it," Sammy called that legacy lasting.

Sammy accepted West Indies often received second-team support in India. Sammy said, "But, yeah, Im not surprised. Obviously, we are most peoples second favourite team, but, you know, were playing against, you know, their favourites. So the mindset of the camp is good," Sammy said the group stayed settled.

India vs West Indies match build-up includes team rituals

Sammy said the squad’s work had strengthened belief in the camp. Sammy said, "You know, I think it was here we started when I said, I feel something special is about to happen. I say so because of the focus I saw in the team, the mindset, the attention to detail, the attention to their preparation. And I still believe that."

Asked about celebrations if West Indies progressed, Sammy pointed to team routines. Sammy said, "Im not sure about any song, but we do have our rituals we do when we win. I still dont know the words of the song, but Im enjoying it. But, yeah, it will be a massive, massive, massive celebration for us to get through to the semifinals."

Sammy also answered a question about West Indies making India "dance" with the ball. Sammy said, "What time is it? 7 oclock? Yeah, in just over 26 hours, the bell will ring here at Kolkata, and the dance will start. That's where the dancing will happen on the cricket field. And, hopefully, west indies dance the best, Sammy said like only he can." The build-up stayed friendly, with no malice.