We can learn from the way Indians batted, says West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite

10/07/2018

Windies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite has praised the Indian batsmen for batting long hours and advised his batsmen to learn from them. India batted almost for 150 overs in the first innings to score 649 runs at a rate of 4 runs per over which is considered an above par pace to score in Test cricket.

It was never going to be easy for a team to come to India and defeat the hosts in their own den. As such, the result of the first Test surprised very few people. But then it was a special victory for India as it came after a torturous defeat in England and also for the fact that India secured its biggest ever victory when accounted on the basis of runs. India won the match by an innings and 272 runs. But it was a thorough rout for the visitors, even though they stand eighth on the ICC Test rankings, they would not have expected such a defeat at the hands of the Numero Uno Test team in the rankings.

“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. Going forward what we need to do is along with the attacking shots, trust in defence. I think that’s the key,” said Brathwaite.

“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,” Brathwaite said referring to his inexperienced unit”.

Brathwaite, who has played 50 Test matches for West Indies and is captaining the side in the absence of regular skipper Jason Holder, emphasised on trusting their defensive skills as a batsman which they failed to do in the first Test. West Indies were bowled out twice within a span of four sessions with the scores of 181 and 196.

“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,” he said.

India play the West Indies in the 2nd and final match of the Test series from 12th October in Hyderabad. After that, both the teams will also lock horns in five-match ODI and three-match T20 series.

We can learn from the way Indians batted, says West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite

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