Sammy backs West Indies' 2-2 draw praise after India demolish NZ in Wellington
Synopsis
Daren Sammy's post-match X post said it all — India's record-shattering 118/0 powerplay against New Zealand in Wellington proved exactly why he celebrated a 2-2 draw in India as a triumph. With Abhishek Sharma (113 off 38) and Sooryavanshi (45 off 19) rewriting T20I history, Sammy's 'dangerous India' verdict has never looked more accurate.
Key Takeaways
Daren Sammy posted on X defending his praise for the West Indies' 2-2 T20I draw against India, citing India's performance against New Zealand as evidence of how 'dangerous' the team is.
Abhishek Sharma smashed 113 off 38 balls and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made 45 off 19 in a 133-run stand that took just 7.1 overs at Hnry Stadium, Wellington .
India chased 199 in 13.2 overs by six wickets , securing an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match T20I series.
India set a new record for the highest powerplay total in men's T20Is — 118/0 in six overs — surpassing Romania's 116/0 against Serbia in 2021 .
The West Indies drew 2-2 with India in their preceding T20I series, with the fifth match in Bengaluru washed out.
India and New Zealand next meet in Auckland on Friday before the series finale in Hamilton on Sunday .
West Indies head coach Daren Sammy has doubled down on his praise for the West Indies' 2-2 T20I series draw against India, pointing to the reigning two-time T20 world champions' blistering demolition of New Zealand in the third T20I at Wellington as proof that matching India — even in their own backyard — was no ordinary feat.
Sammy's Post-Match Reaction
Reacting to India's stunning run-chase in Wellington, Sammy posted on X: 'Wow…. That's why I praised my team for what they accomplished in India. India is a dangerous team. 1. Smaller boundaries 2. Batting paradise pitches 3. Wet ball for bowlers.' The post underscored the coach's belief that a draw against such an opponent deserved greater recognition than it initially received.
This comes after Sammy had previously stated following the Bengaluru washout that sealed the 2-2 stalemate: 'I'm pretty sure when the series started, we probably didn't have a chance. But that was just the opinion of others.' He added that the West Indies had not only matched India but 'in certain areas outplayed them, especially in their backyard.'
India's Record-Breaking Show in Wellington
The catalyst for Sammy's renewed admiration was an extraordinary performance by Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi at Hnry Stadium on 27 October 2026. The pair stitched together a 133-run opening partnership in just 7.1 overs, making a 199-run chase look almost trivial. Abhishek was particularly destructive, smashing 113 off just 38 balls, while Sooryavanshi contributed 45 off 19 deliveries. India sealed the chase in 13.2 overs by six wickets, taking an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.
Records Shattered in the Powerplay
India's powerplay numbers were historic. The Men in Blue smashed 118/0 in the first six overs — the highest-ever team total in a powerplay in men's T20 International cricket, surpassing Romania's 116/0 against Serbia in a T20I in 2021. India also breached the 100-run mark in just five overs, the second-fastest by any team in the world, behind Eswatini, who reached their team hundred in 4.5 overs against Mozambique earlier this year. The team fifty arrived in 2.2 overs — joint-fastest ever, matching Papua New Guinea (vs Vanuatu) and Romania (vs Serbia).
Context: West Indies' 2-2 Draw Against India
The backdrop to Sammy's praise is the recently concluded T20I series in India, where the West Indies managed a 2-2 draw — the fifth match in Bengaluru having been washed out. Notably, the draw came against a side that has now shattered multiple powerplay records in international cricket. The series result is a significant marker for a West Indies side that, according to Sammy, 'took a massive step' in establishing themselves as a competitive force against top-ranked opposition.
What's Next for India
India and New Zealand will travel to Auckland for the fourth T20I on Friday, before the five-match series concludes in Hamilton on Sunday. With a 3-0 series lead already secured, India will look to further extend their dominance, while New Zealand will be searching for answers against a batting lineup in exceptional form.
Point of View
He shifts the narrative from 'near-miss' to 'exceptional achievement.' What gets missed in the excitement over powerplay records is what this says about the current T20 landscape: associate nation records (Romania, Eswatini, Papua New Guinea) are being used as comparators for the world's top side, which speaks to a growing power asymmetry in the format. More pressingly, New Zealand's bowling capitulation on home soil raises urgent questions about their squad depth ahead of the next ICC cycle. For India, the bigger story is the emergence of Sooryavanshi as a genuine threat at the top — not just a viral moment.
NationPress
27 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Daren Sammy praise the West Indies' 2-2 draw against India?
Sammy argued that drawing 2-2 with India in India was a major achievement, given how destructive India's batting has proven — as evidenced by their record-breaking chase against New Zealand in Wellington. He posted on X: 'India is a dangerous team,' citing smaller boundaries, batting-friendly pitches, and conditions that favour batters over bowlers.
What records did India break in the third T20I against New Zealand in Wellington?
India scored 118/0 in the powerplay — the highest-ever team total in the first six overs of a men's T20I, surpassing Romania's 116/0 against Serbia in 2021. They also reached 100 runs in five overs (second-fastest ever) and their team fifty in 2.2 overs (joint-fastest ever).
How did Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi perform in Wellington?
Abhishek Sharma smashed 113 off 38 balls and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi contributed 45 off 19 deliveries. Their 133-run opening partnership took just 7.1 overs as India chased down 199 in 13.2 overs by six wickets.
What is the current series scoreline between India and New Zealand?
India lead the five-match T20I series 3-0 after winning the third match in Wellington. The series is now unassailable for India. The fourth game is in Auckland on Friday, and the fifth and final match is in Hamilton on Sunday.
What was the result of the West Indies vs India T20I series?
The series ended in a 2-2 draw after the fifth and deciding match in Bengaluru was washed out. West Indies coach Daren Sammy described the result as a 'massive step' for the team, saying they had matched and in certain areas outplayed India on home soil.
