The current Indian head coach, Gautam Gambhir, was invited to the West Indies’ dressing room by their head coach, Darren Sammy, after their seven-wicket defeat at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi to lose another series by a 2-0 margin. However, the visitors displayed improvement with the bat in the second innings.

In the first innings, the Caribbean side got bundled out for 248 runs. Having been enforced with the follow-on, they celebrated twin centuries from Shai Hope and John Campbell to earn a slight lead of 120 runs. It didn’t bring victory, but showed that they would be capable of putting up a fight in the longest format.

See Also: [WATCH] Rohit Sharma sits together with Virat Kohli on team bus ahead of departure for AUS vs IND ODI series

“It's always a privilege to play West Indies, whether it's at home, whether it's away. I think, for me, the most important thing I was telling Daren this as well, is the way you guys carry yourself on and off the field. I think it's a great learning experience, the way you guys carry yourself off the field. Your humility, your humbleness, is something which my team and a lot of teams across the globe have to learn from.” Gambhir expressed in the WI dressing room.

Watch: Gautam Gambhir sends strong and inspiring message to West Indies after 2-0 series defeat against India

Gambhir reckoned that even though it won’t be important to have World Cricket for West Indies cricket, it’s incredibly vital for the other way around. They are the two-time champions of the T20 World Cup 2012 and 2016, but have faced five successive Test defeats in 2025.

pic.twitter.com/y0sfoPQ5ld

— Tom Banton (@adi_exe07) October 14, 2025

“There are very few teams who has someone like a West Indies who has a purpose to play this game. And when you have a purpose, purpose is always more important than love. And when I look at you, I feel that you can inspire the next generation of the West Indies. I think the way you played in the second innings of this Test match is probably the template that can take West Indies cricket forward.” Gambhir addressed.

“And lastly, guys, I want to say one thing, and that is something which I've always believed in. You might feel that I'm saying it just for the heck of it, but this comes straight from the heart. West Indian cricket doesn't need world cricket. World cricket needs West Indian cricket.” The former Indian opener concluded.

West Indies’ Test performance has declined a lot in the last six months, and over the last few months, it’s getting worse. Their head coach, Darren Sammy, during the pre-match press conference ahead of he second Test against India at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, felt that cancer had gone through their system.

Sammy, the two-time T20 World Cup-winning captain, admitted that even though they are open to being criticized, the root of the problem in West Indies’ Test cricket started long ago. He revealed that it was back in 1983 when India last won a Test series in India, and it won’t happen in 2025 either.  

See Also: [WATCH] Rohit Sharma and his wife burst into laughter at MS Dhoni’s mimicry during CEAT Award 2025 function

“I know now I’m under the microscope. I’m in the middle, and we’re open to criticism, to be criticized by everybody. But the root of the problem didn’t start two years ago. It’s something that started way back. It’s like a cancer that’s already in the system. If you don’t get cancer, you know what happens. And again, it’s breast cancer month. It’s rooted deep into our system.” Sammy expressed in the press conference.

Darren Sammy points out West Indies’ system issues for Test decline

The Roston Chase-led side, who were bowled out under 200 runs in both innings of the Ahmedabad Test last week, faced an innings and 140-run defeat. Sammy explained that they had also been struggling with finances for a long time.

“We could only work with what we have and who’s willing. The inability to match some of the franchises across the world has been an issue. But what I always tell these guys is that if we complain about not having the best facilities, not having enough manpower like the other teams, not having the best technology.” The former West Indies all-rounder addressed.

“The difference in the different teams, the top 3-4 teams in the world versus the bottom four. We’ve been struggling with finances for a long time. That’s one of the reasons why Brian (Lara) and Shiv (Chanderpaul) they’re going to have this event this afternoon.” Darren Sammy concluded.