NEW DELHI, India, CMC – Captain Dwayne Bravo is urging his West Indies side to replicate their performance from Wednesday’s opening win, then they face India in the second One-Day International of the five-match series here today.
West Indies produced an outstanding performance with both bat and ball to trounce India in the first ODI at Kochi and Bravo said the Caribbean side could not now rest on their laurels as they chased a 2-0 lead in the series.
“That was our best all-round game we have played in a long time. As a captain and as a group, you always ask your players to take up responsibility. You want one of the top four to try and bat deep into the innings and get a hundred,” he pointed out.
“(Marlon) Samuels coming back into the team and scoring a hundred was great. Denesh Ramdin played his part as well and Dwayne Smith got a quick 46, which helped us put a good total on the board.
“We backed ourselves to defend it and it was an all-round performance at the end of the day. But we can’t stop there … need to repeat it.”
Bravo added: “There have been times when we have started well but not finished to our potential. I was happy with the performance in Kochi and we have set ourselves a standard. Now that we have got a good start, we have to make sure we maintain it. This is going to be our biggest test.”
West Indies have not won an ODI series in India in a decade but the manner of Wednesday’s triumph has led to speculation that this recent trend could be under threat.
They amassed 321 for six off their 50 overs behind a brilliant unbeaten 126 from Samuels and then stuck to their lines in a disciplined bowling effort, to oust India for 197 off 41 overs.
Despite India’s poor showing, Bravo said he was taking nothing for granted as the hosts remained a very strong side, especially in their conditions.
“We are here in India and they are one of the most difficult teams to play against at home but I’ve encouraged the guys to challenge themselves and challenge each other as a one-day team,” Bravo said.
“As far as the Indian team is concerned, all of them are very good players and I respect them a lot. Their players also respect our team so there is mutual balance and mutual respect between both teams.”
Bravo said the confidence in the Windies camp had been boosted by the presence of the legendary former players, especially Sir Curtly Ambrose, the World class former seamer who grabbed 405 wickets from 98 Tests.
He serves as a bowling coach, joining legends Clive Lloyd who is chairman of selectors and Sir Richie Richardson who is team manager.
“The good thing is that the team is sticking together and supporting each other well. We have a must-win attitude in the team, which is great to see,” said Bavo.
“Our support staff also brings in tremendous positive energy to the dressing room. It is good to have legends like Clive Lloyd, Curtly Ambrose or Richie Richardson in the dressing room.
“Curtly adds a different dimension to our team. The players really respect him and look up to him. I have grown up watching these legends and it is good to have them around where players can go to them and get some advice. We’re happy that he is around.”
SQUADS:
WEST INDIES – Dwayne Bravo (captain), Marlon Samuels, Leon Johnson, Lendl Simmons, Darren Bravo, Denesh Ramdin, Darren Sammy, Andre Russell, Ravi Rampaul, Sulieman Benn, Kemar Roach, Jerome Taylor, Jason Holder, Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Smith.
INDIA – MS Dhoni (captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina, Ishant Sharma, Ravi Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Amit Mishra, Mohammed Shami, Ambati, Rayadu, Murali Vijay, Umesh Yadav.