IND v WI 2018: We need to find the right balance between caution and aggression, says Kraigg Brathwaite

India thrashed West Indies by an innings and 272 runs in the first Test at Rajkot.

West Indies were bundled out for 181 and 196 in their two innings at Rajkot | AP

After suffering an innings and 272-run defeat at the hands of India in the first Test at Rajkot, stand-in West Indies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite has said that they would have to find the right balance between caution and aggression.

The Windies batsmen were guilty of playing too many attacking shots. In reply to India’s mammoth 649/9 (declared), the visitors got bundled out for 181 and 196 with none of the batting pair sharing a 100-run stand.

"Going forward what we need to do is along with the attacking shots, trust in defence. I think that's the key," Brathwaite quoted as saying by PTI.

"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 added.

Brathwaite said debutant Prithvi Shaw's knock was an example of how to build an innings. The West Indies batsmen had a very little clue while facing the Indian spinners. While Ravichandran Ashwin was the stand-out bowler in the first innings, claiming four wickets, Kuldeep Yadav picked up his maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket in the second essay.

"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," Brathwaite asserted.

"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," he continued.

West Indies also missed the services of their talismanic skipper Jason Holder and speedster Kemar Roach in Rajkot. While Holder pulled out at the last minute due to an ankle injury, Roach missed the series opener due to the demise of his grandmother.

"Kemar will back but not 100 percent sure (about Jason). In a couple of days we will come to know," Brathwaite said.

Hyderabad will host the second Test between India and West Indies from October 12 and Brathwaite is hopeful of a stellar comeback.

"It's just for us to bounce back. Obviously it's not the start we wanted, but we can bounce back,” he concluded.

(With PTI inputs)

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 07 Oct, 2018

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