Nobody is winning this World Cup if they don't go through India: Daren Sammy

West Indies coach Daren Sammy made it clear that any team hoping to win the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 title should first get past the defending champions and hosts, Team India. Notably, the campaign started on Saturday, February 7, in India and Sri Lanka.

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For the unversed, the Sammy-led West Indies had to defeat India in the ICC T20 World Cup 2016 in the semi-final to advance to the final against England. Notably, the Caribbeans went on to win the grand finale, defeating England in the thrilling last over.

"Nobody is winning this World Cup if they don't go through India," Sammy told the media.

While Sammy was captaining the national side a decade ago when he led his team to the second T20 World Cup title, he is now in charge in the dugout. However, the belief remains the same despite India playing a dominating brand of cricket.

"We wouldn't be here if we didn't believe we could win. I know it feels like the same scenario 10 years ago, where everything was against us, nobody gave us a chance, and I'm looking at the guys and the calibre of talent we have in that dressing room. We want to win. We've got to play a brand of cricket,” he added.

"One thing I know for sure - and probably every other team knows it too - is that just like in 2016, when we got here, we played India in a warm-up match and then Australia,” he stated.

"And we sat around the table - the senior guys, coach Phil (Simmons) at that time - and we said: in order to win this World Cup, you have to go through India,” he continued.

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"It's an even bigger challenge now. Nobody is winning this World Cup if they don't go through India, whether you have to beat India in a knockout stage - be it a semifinal or a final. They're the favourites, and every team has to play really well to beat India at home. It's their Cup to lose,” he concluded.

West Indies squad: Shai Hope (c), Shimron Hetmyer, Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Quentin Sampson, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd.

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