After suffering a thrashing defeat against the hosts India in the first Test of two-match Test series at Rajkot, Windies stand-in-skipper Kraigg Brathwaite claimed that Indians showed them how to bat.
In the post-match press conference, Brathwaite said about this Test match, “Not the best of starts, credit to India. They showed us how to bat.”
Also read: Windies tour of India 2018/19 (First Test): Stats Review
Brathwaite further added, “I think what they can look at is how India batted. We saw the guys getting in and backing themselves. Obviously, Shaw was quite attacking, he was 100 percent into what he was doing. Kohli obviously came in, took his time and flourished.
“I think if we can learn from them that will put us in good stead going forward. Obviously a few nerves, it’s Test cricket so it is never easy but we need to take a page out of their book and take that into our batting. Trust in defence and obviously when you attack, go 100 percent as well.”
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After the Indian skipper Virat Kohli declared their first innings on 649/9, Windies were bowled out for just 181 and 196 (follow-on) respectively. The visiting batsmen totally surrendered against the hosts’ bowlers as they suffered a big defeat by an innings and 272 runs.
Brathwaite said, “Going forward what we need to do is along with the attacking shots, trust in defence. I think that’s the key. Obviously when the field goes back, it’s a matter of still staying positive in defence also and putting away the bad balls, stroking the ball along the ground for singles. I just don’t think we didn’t trust our defence as much as we should have.”
Prior to the Test match, Windies missed their two important cricketers – pacer Kemar Roach and the skipper Jason Holder. Roach missed the game due to returning to his home after his grandmother’s demise, while the skipper Holder had an ankle sprain.
Talking about their availability in the next game at Hyderabad, Brathwaite said, “Kemar will back but not 100 percent sure (about Jason). In a couple of days we will come to know.”
Despite this destructive defeat, Brathwaite remains optimistic as he believes they can bounce back in second and final Test of the series, starting on October 12.
The stand-in-captain said, “It’s just for us to bounce back. Obviously it’s not the start we wanted, but we can bounce back.”
