In a few hours, the West Indies will begin their 2026 International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s T20 World Cup campaign when they take on Scotland from 5.30 am (TT time) on February 7 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata – a venue which was the stage for the capture of their second world T20 title ten years ago.

Some would say it’s a new era of West Indies cricket as stalwarts such as Dwayne Bravo, Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell, and Marlon Samuels are no longer around, while hard-hitting wicket-keeper/batsman Nicholas Pooran arguably retired from international cricket in the form of his life. Two figures who remain from the 2016 winning squad are opening batsman Johnson Charles and former captain Daren Sammy, who is now the regional team’s all-format coach.

Ever the optimist, the St Lucian Sammy believes the West Indies can go all the way to win the World Cup, despite what the form book or naysayers may say. In the build-up to the World Cup, the Windies lost T20 series to Afghanistan and South Africa – winning a consolation match on both occasions. Before that, the West Indies lost 3-1 away to the Black Caps of New Zealand in November, with a memorable 3-0 series win over Bangladesh preceding the New Zealand tour.

And though the Windies delivered inconsistent performances in their two most recent series against Afghanistan and South Africa, Sammy reckons something special is around the corner.

“It's going to be a fun tournament, but we really have to be on the ball,” Sammy said at a February 6 presser.

“I watched these guys play in South Africa. The results haven't been good, but I see something in these guys' eyes that makes me believe we can go all the way.”

Sammy said this current team is full of match-winners and wants his players to create their own history as the T20 World Cup-winning teams of 2012 and 2016 did. He praised the form of players such as Brandon King, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, skipper Shai Hope, and the enigmatic Shimron Hetmyer, who reportedly had visa trouble over the last few days before settling with the team in India. The West Indies coach said Hetmyer has accepted the responsibility of batting at number three and even suggested the Guyanese left-hander could be a Player of the Tournament candidate if his recent form continues into the World Cup.

Another player who has been a constant talking point for regional fans is Sammy’s countryman, Johnson Charles, a veteran of the Men in Maroon’s successful 2012 and 2016 T20 World Cup runs. The 37-year-old Charles has scored 189 runs in his last ten T20 international innings, which date back to December 2024, but Sammy is backing the right-hander who has been picked in the squad as a back-up keeper/opening batsman.

“If you notice, over the last two years, we have given guys the opportunity to play as that second wicket-keeper to Shai. And to be fair, nobody has really grabbed the opportunity,” Sammy said.

“Johnson Charles is still one of the better performers. (The) experience that he brings, especially over here. That's more or less how he got in.

“I know somewhere, somebody is hitting me on my back for Johnson Charles, but I've never really been one to worry about what the public says,” he said. “We do things. We plan properly. Even if you plan, it's the execution on the park that really matters. Sometimes it doesn't happen, and the coaches get the sharp end of the stick. We believe in the squad. We've got some new players and experienced guys. That's what you want the team to be made up of.”

After playing Scotland, West Indies face England (February 11), Nepal (February 15) and Italy (February 19) to round off group C play.

Will Sammy’s faith pay off? The Caribbean will be watching eagerly.