Video: Darren Sammy confirms he has been removed from West Indies captaincy

Darren Sammy has come out with a Facebook video where he says that he has been let known by the Chairman of Selectors that he is not to be captain of West Indies’ T20 side any more, and that his performances do not merit selection in the side either. Sammy’s six-year tenure as the very successful skipper who brought home two World T20 titles, has thus been brought to an end.

Sammy speaks with a mixture of hurt and pride, with the characteristic smile never too far from his lips, from what looks like his own bedroom. There is no drama of spotlit press conferences and shutters clicking. Instead, there is some music playing and the erstwhile captain reclining on a bed while making what must be one of the most important and sad announcements of his life.

He says, “Six years ago I was asked to captain West Indies. I knew it would be a task that would be the most difficult in my career, my life. But guess what, I took it head on and embraced the challenges. I started out with Otis Gibson, I thank you buddy, for believing in me. To all the players who have played under my captaincy, I want to thank you for all the support. We’ve had our ups and downs. But I’ve never given up hope, never stopped believing in myself and in the team. That is what I was about as a captain. Trying to instil a never-say-die attitude in my players. The result is that we won two World Cups.

“I got a 30-second call yesterday morning from the Chairman of Selectors, who told me that they had reviewed the captaincy of the T20 team and I won’t be captain anymore, nor do my performances merit selection in the squad.

That’s okay. West Indies cricket is not about Darren Sammy. Looking to the future, I want to wish the new captain all the best, nobody has been named yet. Take West Indies cricket forward. The highlight of my career has been winning the two World Cups, and these memories I shall cherish always.”

While Sammy has not produced noteworthy displays with the bat or ball for the national team in the recent past, one other reason why it was being speculated that Sammy would be removed was the post-match speech he unleashed after winning the 2016 World T20, where he laid into West Indies Cricket board officials.

“This is not me retiring from One Days or T20s, this is just me thanking the fans and the players who I have worked with. The direction Darren is headed is not dictated by any man. I just knew that I played with my heart and soul whenever I stepped out on the cricket field. And nobody can take my smile away.”