Sammy Backs WI Pacers to Trouble India

The seam attack that West Indies has selected for the two-match visit to India next month, according to head coach Daren Sammy, has the “variety” to “operate in any conditions” and “pick 20 wickets.”

Along with all-rounder Justin Greaves, the West Indies pace attack consists of Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Anderson Phillip, and Jayden Seales. Sammy stated that the West Indies would strive to “emulate” the way New Zealand blanked India 3-0 at the end of 2024, despite the fact that they haven’t won a Test series in India in forty-two years.

During a press conference, Sammy stated, “We have found ourselves in a position where our seam attack could operate in any conditions.” “That six- to eight-meter length is effective everywhere in the world. However, we have four distinct individuals in our fast-bowling department, each with their own unique style.

“You have Jayden, who can swing the ball both ways and has a strong front leg, Shamar Joseph, who is very skiddy, and Alzarri Joseph, who is tall and has the bounce he can get. Thus, once more, we have faith in it, particularly given their recent bowling performance. Having the capacity to take 20 wickets is essential in India. We have a bowling lineup that can take 20 wickets, particularly from the seam department, so if you can’t take 20 in India, you’re in trouble.

“The procedure is unchanged. For the six-to-eight-meter length, the lines and lengths remain the same. Perhaps it’s only a matter of modifying whether it’s a bit closer to the back of the pitch or a bit fuller. Knowing that we go out bowling and take 20 wickets makes me happy, and I have complete faith in that. And the primary goal of the Test match is that.

“To continue instilling that belief matched up by the work we put in to bring the technical aspects of the game up to where we could compete and win matches” is how Sammy, who is also the coach of St Lucia Kings in the current CPL 2025, described the six weeks he had spent in the Kings dressing room with Test captain Roston Chase discussing and planning for the India tour.

“New Zealand went there and did incredibly well and that we should take inspiration from. But again, it’s understanding the things that New Zealand did in those conditions and try to emulate it with our guys as well” – Daren Sammy

Additionally, he stated that they have examined “a lot of data” in order to determine the “best squad”—that is, the players that possess the necessary skill sets for particular tasks. “From my end, the ten days leading up to the [first] Test match [in India], we’ll be drilling in all these things and planning very well as to how we’re going to beat India in India,” added Sammy. “We’re going down there with the intention of winning, no doubt about it. We won’t simply go down there and assume that it’s India. No. We should be inspired by New Zealand, which went there and performed exceptionally well. But once more, it’s about comprehending what New Zealand accomplished under those circumstances and attempting to imitate it with our men as well.”

West Indies made the significant decision to remove previous captain Kraigg Brathwaite from the 15-man roster, and Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Alick Athanaze were reinstated. Recalling Chanderpaul, who hasn’t played a Test since January 2024, depends on a number of circumstances, including form, numbers, and the other choices the selectors have.

“Before Tage got injured in the 4-Day Championship, he was averaging, I think, 47 [42 in the 2024-25 season, batting well and just looking at our depth chart, who we have with the opening spot over the last few series, not really giving us the numbers and the results that we want,” Sammy continued. “When examining the duties required of one of these openers, Tage provides a certain level of clarity regarding the skill set and requirements of that position. He was likely among the best candidates for that position due to his expertise and ability to play spin. He’s a young man, and when you talk about transitioning, he presented a compelling argument for the first position.

“And Tage would have been the next best candidate to fill that kind of comparable job in Kraigg’s absence. And we hope that the preparation he has been making, the build-up he has been doing here in Guyana, and the work he has been doing will be sufficient to be carried out in India.”

“Alick’s return, again, looking at the conditions, looking at what we’ll face, Alick We knew before Australia that Alick was always going to come back into the set-up, based on the conditions that we will face and the skillset that would require us to be successful,” Sammy explained in reference to the recall of Athanaze. Therefore, once more, we don’t just hang around and randomly select players. We gather a great deal of data and information in an effort to assemble the most qualified team for the jobs and skill set needed.”

Jomel Warrican, the uncapped Khary Pierre, and Chase are part of the West Indies’ spin assault. Gudakesh Motie, a left-arm spinner who just played the entire CPL season, has been rested in consideration of his workload in the run-up to the T20 World Cup early next year. However, according to Sammy, “Motie is a very strong contender in all formats.”

The second Test is set for October 10 in Delhi, while the series will begin on October 2 in Ahmedabad.