Former West Indies skipper Daren Sammy backed the Kieron Pollard-led side to do well in the upcoming ODI and T20I series against India.
West Indies are set to tour India for ODI and T20I series. The three-match ODI series will begin from 6th Feburary, followed by the second and third games on 9th and 11th February, with all matches to be played in Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium.
After that, both the teams will lock horns against each other in the three-match T20I series, which will be played from 16th to 20th February at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
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Cricket West Indies recently named the squad for the ODI series, which saw senior pacer Kemar Roach along with Brandon King and Nkrumah Bonner being recalled into the side. The 15-member squad will be led by Kieron Pollard with Nicholas Pooran as vice-captain of the side.
Speaking to PTI, Daren Sammy backed West Indies skipper Kieron Pollard to fancy his chances against Team India, saying that the right-hander knows the conditions well as he has been playing in India for a long.
He added that with West Indies ‘unearthing’ new talent in the ongoing T20I series against England, they can do well in India.
"I believe Pollard will definitely fancy his chances (against India). He has been playing in India for so long, he knows the conditions well. At the (ongoing) England series, we have unearthed some new talents. I think West Indies could go out there (India) and do well," Darren Sammy said.
Sammy admitted that India has always been strong at home but taking wickets in both ODI and T20I series will be key for West Indies. He lauded Kemar Roach as a quality bowler, who takes wickets with a new ball.
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"India have always been strong at home, they are a force to reckon with because of some really good one-day players. We need bowlers who can take wickets in both the ODI and T20 series. Kemar is a quality bowler. We all know his records in Test cricket. He gets wickets with the new ball,” he said.
Daren Sammy further justified the West Indian selection process, highlighting that to win against a quality Indian side they need to take wickets with the new ball and chase 300 plus on good wickets.
“When you play against quality guys, especially in India, you need guys to get breakthroughs with the new ball. If not, you could find chasing 300-plus especially on good Indian wickets. So I could understand the selection process behind it,” he said.
Notably, both India and West Indies will be coming into the series on the back of ODI series losses. While the hosts were whitewashed by South Africa, the Kieron Pollard-led side suffered a 2-1 defeat against Ireland.
(PTI Inputs)
