Daren Sammy has called for greater financial backing for West Indies cricket and framed his team’s 2-2 T20I series draw in India as the opening for it. The fifth and final T20I in Bengaluru was abandoned after 7.4 overs because of rain, leaving the five-match series level.

Sammy said the scoreline was a fair reflection of the cricket played. “It’s a true reflection of how all the teams have played, especially for our guys,” he said at the post-match press conference. West Indies had lost all three of their previous bilateral T20I series in India, winning one match out of seven across them. Sammy called the draw a “massive step” for his side.

“We would want to win, because something we’ve not done forever in India,” he said. He noted West Indies won the home leg 3-2 in 2023, and said that kept the contest in their favour.

The financial appeal was the centre of his message. West Indies have been struggling under the ICC’s revenue-sharing model, adopted in 1997. CWI chief executive Chris Dehring has said the change, which let host boards keep bilateral series revenue, cost West Indies touring fees and a key source of stability.

“We need somebody to put a shoulder around West Indies cricket, financially, that is,” Sammy said. “Series like this, here in India against the best team in the world, puts us in a conversation closer to that,” Sammy said, adding the appeal was about care as much as cash. “My mom always said, you must have a care factor,” he said. Last month CWI announced a financial restructuring that included a 25% pay cut for contracted international players.

Sammy contrasted the two set-ups. India, he said, expect to win because of the systems in place, while West Indies have to perform in spite of their challenges. He hoped the series would improve talks with sponsors and stakeholders.

West Indies had also pushed India in the ODI series before losing 1-2, and Sammy’s side held the two-time defending T20I world champions to a draw.

On the field, West Indies had beaten Sri Lanka in a home T20I series and made the semi-finals of the 2026 T20 World Cup in India in March before this tour. Sammy said the “swagger is back” and that the belief started during the World Cup.

In Bengaluru, India were put in and reached 118 for five in a match reduced to nine overs a side. Ishan Kishan made 30 off 10 balls, and Naman Dhir was 24 not out off 6 when the rain returned for good.

The result left India without a bilateral T20I series defeat at home since February 2019. West Indies have now gone two consecutive T20I series against India without losing.

Sammy also praised his spinners. Roston Chase, he said, bowled well throughout the series, and Gudakesh Motie was excellent. As coach, he said his job was to build the right dressing room environment, in wins and setbacks. He added that the side had taken a big step and hoped the energy would help West Indies finish the year on a positive note.