'It is going to be 15 West Indies players versus 78,000 and how many billions here in India; and, yes, it is a challenge we are ready to face.'
Ahead of the World T20 semi-final against India in Mumbai, West Indies captain addressed the media. Harish Kotian/Rediff.com listened in.
West Indies captain Darren Sammy believes that starting as underdogs against favourites India in the Thursday's ICC World T20 semi-final, in Mumbai, could prove to be beneficial for his team, as the hosts will be under a lot of pressure to win at all costs in front of home fans.
"It is going to be 15 West Indies players versus 78,000 and how many billions here in India; and, yes, it is a challenge we are ready to face.
"We all know that India is always difficult at home, but the main focus in our dressing room is doing what we do best," said Sammy, on Wednesday.
The 32-year-old likened the match to a David vs Goliath contest.
"I think it is 80-20 to India, so it feels like David and Goliath. But people tend to forget David won the fight.
"So it is something similar to that and, look, we enjoy playing against India; a number of our players play here.
"We have a lot of respect for the camaraderie in the group. Both teams are really good and, yeah, we are looking forward to that. What better place to play right here in Mumbai, one of the best wickets in India.”
As expected, Sammy faced a barrage of questions on his team preparing to deal with the in-form Virat Kohli.
Asked if the West Indies are concerned about the Indian batting superstar's good run in the tournament, he shot back: "No, not really; have you ever heard of Chris Gayle?"
"There's no taking away from Virat; he's a very good player, but, like I have said before, we tend to focus on what we could do in our dressing room. Like we have shown throughout the tournament, once we execute our plans right we have won the games, and when we have not we have lost. So it is going to be a hell of a game," he added.
The West Indies' preparations for the World T20 were clouded by a players' contract row, as the 15-member squad threatened to pull out of the mega-event before the issue was resolved with the West Indies Cricket Board just before their departure for India.
"The issues before the tournament, the lack of respect for our T20 team… a lot has been said about this team and we as a group. It has just brought us closer together.
"I said it before. We have number of guys in the 30s and we came here in this tournament not playing a T20 in the calendar year, where we saw a lot against us. That really brought the team closer. You have seen the way we have played. We think it is us against the world. Those 15 players and the support staff… it's just us; our own new circle against the world. That is how we have gone out and played.
"Tomorrow is no bigger a day to express that, because I don't think we have one Indian supporter. So it is going to be a massive game and it is a challenge that we are ready for. That is why we play the sport; it's going to be exciting and we are really looking forward to it," declared Sammy.
He hastened to add that if things do not improve vis-à-vis the players’ contract issue, some of the current players could give up playing for the West Indies.
"I would think so if certain things don't change I can't see us in the set-up. Looking at the calendar year after this World Cup I don't see any T20 scheduled in the international calendar, so, yeah, it might be a while. The next World T20 is in four years. I will be 36, so, yes, we are really putting our all into this tournament and the guys in the dressing room are aware what is at stake.
"We came into the tournament as No. 1; nobody gave us a chance. A lot was said about us, which we have not spoken about. We had our moments, but we, just as I said, needed six steps to the World Cup. We have taken four; we had a little pothole in the middle (against Afghanistan), but we have adjusted ourselves up and the step tomorrow is against India and we are looking forward to it," he said.
Sammy also revealed the secret of the West Indies' success in the ongoing World T20, which saw them win their first three games to qualify for the semi-finals before a shock defeat against minnows Afghanistan.
"I think the key word was responsibility. It was one of the main words we used in the dressing room; someone taking the responsibility to bring the team home, not leaving it for anyone in the dressing room.
"The three games we won… the first game Chris batted throughout the innings, the second game it was Fletcher, the third one Marlon Samuels took us really close.
"We didn't have that against Afghanistan, chasing a low total. It’s about each person taking ownership of the job that is required out there, not leaving it for anybody else."
The West Indies are not too bothered about reports of the pitch being prepared to suit India.
"To be honest, I just want it 22 yards long and probably six feet wide. That's what I want. That's a good cricket wicket. We play on whatever. It is a semi-final, a lot is at stake, whatever is give we are ready to face the challenge."
