Darren Sammy Praises West Indies’ Efforts; Expresses Shock at India’s Decision

Darren Sammy is ecstatic despite the fact that the West Indies lost to India in the Test series. However, he was also surprised that the West Indies were let off the hook as early as they were on the last day of the third Test in Dominica.

Darren Sammy

Joining the chorus of voices expressing bafflement at Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s decision to abandon the Test was none other than the West Indies captain, Darren Sammy. While praising the West Indies cricket team for evolving into a stronger unit by the end of the series, Sammy could not help but express his surprise that India did not really make more of the chase but rather chose to abandon prospects early. The captain who took over from Chris Gayle would have certainly been rejoicing because West Indies were fortunate in that after plenty of rain, the second Test drew to a close under bad light when India were just three wickets away from possibly going 2-0 up. In the third Test, West Indies faced another prospect of misery before Kirk Edwards, the rookie, and Shivnarine Chanderpaul, the veteran, made valuable centuries on the road to stretching India’s target.

Some feisty, uncanny batting on a difficult pitch could have well put the West Indies to shame. But instead the West Indies did a lap of honour, clearly indicative of the fact that they had lost the series 1-0 but they were proud that they had hung in through the remainder of the series instead of folding in without a fight. The same though could not be said for India who found the road treacherous at best and it is with some credit that it has to be said that India did find themselves in positions where they could force a victory. That they did not then continue to push forth the barriers is something that has not only irked Indian cricket viewers but also, surprised Darren Sammy himself.

India being the no.1 Test team would have been expected to keep trying to force a result, needing eighty-six runs from ninety balls. But in the opinion of the coach and captain, Duncan Fletcher and Mahendra Singh Dhoni respectively, the chase was out of the question given the nature of the pitch that made scoring runs difficult. India showed the kind of thinking that was not particularly familiar under Gary Kirsten as the coach when they would try to press for victory rather than throw in the towel.

In the matter of the third Test, the West Indies would certainly be glad that India chose not to continue on with an hour’s play left while for India, that they could have tried to get close to the target that would have shown some chutzpah failed them and in that the West Indies captain’s reactions have become a barometer of the relief of one team while the other team is being adjudged as not having made the best of decisions given their status and reputation. Darren Sammy, for one, is rather grateful.