 | « Back to article | Print this article |
'We have gelled well as a team'
Stand-in captain Suresh Raina is happy that the new-look Indian team that got very little time to prepare for the West Indies series have produced results.
India beat West Indies by three wickets in Antigua to clinch the five-match ODI series 3-0.
"God has been very kind to all the boys. Credit goes to Duncan Fletcher, Eric Simmons and the other support staff. We have gelled well as a team. We didn't get much time for preparation after IPL. We came here and had a few quality team meetings and practice sessions. That helped us," Raina said.
The Indian captain was all praise for man-of-the-match Andre Russell who scored an unbeaten 64-ball 92.
"Russell played some amazing shots. Credit goes to Amit Mishra for bowling well."
'Rohit, Harbhajan batted really well'
Raina believes that Mishra may have role to play in the upcoming Test series.
"We have the Tests coming up. These tracks are helpful for leggies and he (Mishra) has been among the wickets in the IPL and against South Africa as well."
The skipper admitted some of the shot selections weren't up to the mark.
"I played a bad shot, but Rohit and Harbhajan batted really well. Rohit has been in good form in the series having got his second fifty. I hope he does well in the remaining matches also."
Raina indicated that the likes of Manoj Tiwary, Ranganath Vinay Kumar and Ravichandran Ashwin are likely to be inducted in the first XI for the remaining few matches.
"We have a couple of guys sitting on the bench. I hope everyone gets a chance in the last two games."
'We have not been getting runs at the top'
West Indies captain Darren Sammy blamed the lack of "killer instict" being one of the reasons for the team not being able to win despite reducing India to 92 for six.
"It is a game that got away from us. Russell brought us back along with Baugh. Our guys were confident during lunch, but we lacked the killer instinct after taking early wickets," Sammy stated.
He lamented about his bowling saying he expected a bit more from fast bowler Kemar Roach.
"We have not been getting runs at the top. We just lacked the finishing touch. About our bowling, Kemar is one of our strike bowlers and we needed a bit extra from him. But I can't fault anyone."
'I want to be called a legend once I retire'
"Roach has been doing a good job over the past months. If you put the ball in the right areas, you could reap rewards on this wicket."
Man of the match Andre Russell stated that he was positive from the very beginning.
"Myself and Carlton Baugh told each other that we should try to just bat as long as possible. I take my batting seriously although I would consider myself as a bowling all-rounder. I am trying to balance both departments as I want to be called a legend once I retire from international cricket."