Under intense scrutiny following another crushing defeat, West Indies head coach Darren Sammy has addressed the criticism surrounding his team’s performance, admitting he welcomes feedback but insisting that the Caribbean side’s decline in Test cricket is the result of decades of deep-rooted issues.

Ahead of the second Test against India in Delhi, the former captain spoke candidly about the long-standing challenges that have plagued West Indies cricket and their continued struggle to compete at the highest level. Reflecting on their record, Sammy noted that West Indies haven’t won a Test series in India since 1983 — a staggering 42-year drought.

“The last time we won a series here, my mother had me,” he said with a wry smile before acknowledging the gravity of the situation. “I know I’m under the microscope and open to criticism. But the real problem didn’t start two years ago. It’s something that began long before that.”

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Using a striking metaphor, Darren Sammy likened the team’s decline to a disease that has spread through the system over time. “It’s like cancer. If you don’t treat it, you know what happens,” he said. “Our problems don’t just lie on the surface; they’re embedded deep within our cricketing structure.” His comments highlight the systemic neglect and lack of investment that have hindered the region’s cricketing revival.

The innings-and-140-run loss to India in the opening Test once again exposed the widening gap between the West Indies and the world cricket’s elite teams. Fans expressed disappointment at the team’s lack of resilience and competitive spirit.

Darren Sammy admitted the challenge of limited resources, saying, “We can only work with what we have and who’s willing. Our inability to match the infrastructure and technology of other nations is no secret — that’s the reality.”

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Despite these setbacks, Sammy remains steadfast in his mission to rebuild. He emphasised the importance of effort, commitment, and pride in wearing the maroon cap. His words carried both frustration and resolve — a reminder that reviving West Indies Test cricket will require patience, structural change, and a deep cultural reset rather than short-term solutions.