Stand-in captain Suresh Raina on Thursday admitted the need to spend some time with coach Duncan Fletcher in the nets in order to iron out some flaws in his batting.
Raina who could muster only 74 runs from five ODIs was repeatedly out trying to play the wild slog over deep mid-wicket or extra cover.
“I need to spend some time in the middle. I just can’t go out there and play big shots. I will look to have a couple of sessions with the coach,” Raina stated at the media conference after his team lost the final ODI by seven wickets.
The skipper however wanted to stress on the positives. “It is disappointing that we lost the last two matches but I am happy that we won the series. We need to enjoy the moment,” he said.
Raina felt that turning point was definitely getting all out for 251 with 15 balls to go.
“I feel we fell short by at least 25 to 30 runs. But full credit to Andre Russell for the manner in which he bowled at the death.”
The batting of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Parthiv Patel along with Amit Mishra’s bowling was a big plus for this young team.
“Our fielding has also improved after sessions with new fielding coach Trevor Penny.”
About the upcoming Test series, Raina said that all those who have been selected are raring to go. “Obviously we have prepared well and the seniors who will join us will have to get acclimatised in the next few days.”
Man of the series Rohit said, “It was important for me to get some runs as I wanted to make this tour count. I am glad it came off well.”
Asked about his game plan, he answered, “I kept telling myself that I had to stay in the middle as long as possible. I wanted to take the game through to the end. But it is indeed very disappointing to lose two consecutive matches. I wanted to be around till the 48th or 49th over but it happened otherwise.”
West Indies skipper Darren Sammy lauded his bowlers for bringing them back in the match when it looked like Kohli and Rohit would take the game away.“Credit to all the bowlers who came back very well. It looked like we would chase 300 at one stage.”
He was ecstatic about Darren Bravo’s match-winning effort of 86.
“We all know what Bravo is capable of doing. About Sarwan, we had to take a decision. Sarwan was cramping, thought it would be good for the team if a new batsman came in.
Although we won the last two matches but we need to start well in order to win the series,” the skipper said.
Sammy was hopeful that the team would do even better in the Test series and is taking inspiration from their victory against Pakistan
For man-of-the-match Russell, staying “positive and bowling in the right areas” helped.
“We have been playing good cricket over the past two games. I tried to remain positive and bowl in right areas.”
With the wicket offering some assistance, Russell admitted that it was a good strip to bowl on in the morning.
“It was a good wicket to bowl on in the morning. One or two of the Indian batsmen are not accustomed to the short ball, so I tried to use it as a surprise weapon.”
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