We want to dismiss Sachin Tendulkar on the first ball - West Indies captain Darren Sammy

FILE PHOTO: Darren Sammy was the villain 2 years ago when he took the catch when Sachin was on 94 in Mumbai

West Indies captain Darren Sammy has said that he and his team want to dismiss Sachin Tendulkar on the first ball in each innings in the forthcoming Test series.

The upcoming 2-match Test series between India and West Indies will be the last for legend Sachin Tendulkar, who will be retiring after playing his 200th Test in Mumbai from November 14-18. The first Test is scheduled from November 6-10 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

“I have played enough cricket in India to know how the noise levels climb a few notches whenever Sachin Tendulkar enters the scene. And I know it’s going to be crazier when he walks down the steps of the Wankhede Stadium in November, one last time. Not to forget the three innings before that. But I can assure you that every time Sachin walks out to bat in his final series, we will look to get him out first ball,” Darren Sammy said in a conversation with the Indian Express.

Sammy was the villain 2 years ago at Wankhede when he caught Tendulkar in the slips off the bowling of Ravi Rampaul, resulting in the Master Blaster being dismissed on 94, 6 runs short of what would have been his 100th international century.

Talking about that dismissal, Sammy said, “The Wankhede was a cauldron. And it was me who hung onto that catch at slip off Ravi’s (Rampaul) bowling to get rid of him for 94. It was a great moment as an opposition captain, even though I knew Darren Sammy probably lost a lot of friends that day across India.

“I spoiled what was shaping up to be a crazy party in Mumbai. But it has to be my greatest Sachin moment. I’ve seen him play so many incredible knocks on television but the time I foiled his 100th hundred will be my special moment. That wicket also set up a great finish,” he added.

Commenting on the magnitude of the situation, Sammy said his team would not lose focus despite the “Tendulkar mania”.

“Probably at the end of the day, we will sit down for a drink with him, and celebrate the 24 years he has spent amazing the cricket world. But there’s no question of us dropping our guard and getting swayed by Tendulkar mania. As the captain of the West Indies, I am more focused on being competitive during the Test series, and try and post a win in India,” the skipper said.