West Indies skipper Jason Holder said his team is in a very positive frame of mind before the start of the two-match Test series against India this Thursday (August 22) in Antigua.
However, Holder is wary of the challenge that the might of the No.1 ranked Test side presents with cricketers of high-class pedigree such as captain Virat Kohli and premier off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who have historically had wonderful times facing West Indies home and away.
"The mindset of the team is very positive as this is the start of a brand new series at home so we begin with great confidence. We have been playing some good Test cricket over the last few years and we have been able to put together some good series wins," Holder told reporters on the eve of Day 1.
"If we want to beat the top teams, we need to be up for the challenge. I am personally looking towards the challenge of playing against Virat and (Ravichandran) Ashwin. I think from a team perspective, we get the best out of ourselves when we play against the best, we tend to go hard at them," he added.
This series will see both West Indies and India starting their World Test Championship campaign, which got underway with the Ashes opener earlier this month.
"The start of the ICC World Test Championship is something special... it brings something extra special to the Test match format and the players know what's at stake and how we plan to go about our business," the Windies skipper said.
Holder's own team isn't bereft of quality with batsmen like Darren Bravo, Kraigg Brathwaite and Shai Hope, besides a pace attack including veterans such as Kemar Roach and Shannon Gabriel, who ensured West Indies a rare 2-1 Test series victory at home against England earlier this year.
"Kemar and Shannon have been outstanding for us in the last few years. They always rise to the challenge and our bowling attack has been one of the main reasons why we have improved in Test cricket. We talk about batting well in partnerships, but it is also crucial to realise you have to bowl in partnerships as well."
Holder himself is a massively improved cricketer, who is currently also the No.1 ranked Test all-rounder in the world.
"It's good to be listed as the number one all-rounder, but my aim is to win matches for West Indies. I enjoy Test cricket, the battles, the challenges... when I get the ball I look to hold down an end and let the quicker bowlers do their work at the other end. With the bat, I look to build partnerships and look to get up to solid scores," he concluded.
(Inputs from IANS)
