Brathwaite urges batsmen to find balance

RAJKOT, India (CMC):

Stand-in captain Kraigg Brathwaite says West Indies' batsmen need to find the right balance between attack and defence, as the Caribbean side seek to bounce back from their humbling innings and 272-run defeat in the opening Test which started last Wednesday night (local time).

India needed less than three days to beat West Indies and take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series as the Windies' batting folded meekly in each innings for 181 and 196.

"Going forward what we need to do is along with the attacking shots, trust in defence. I think that's the key," said Brathwaite, who replaced regular skipper Jason Holder who sat out the match with an ankle injury.

"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 trusted our defence as much as we should have."

India amassed a massive 649 for nine declared with teenaged debutant Prithvi Shaw (134), captain Virat Kohli (139), and Ravi Jadeja (100 not out) managing hundreds.

The Windies batting then showed little enterprise and only Roston Chase with 53 in the first innings and opener Kieran Powell with 83 in the second, showed any will to resist the Indian attack.

LESSON TO LEARN

Brathwaite, who failed in both innings, said the Windies batsmen would do well to learn from how India approached their innings.

West Indies face India in the second Test in Hyderabad starting on Friday and will hope to give a better account of themselves. Importantly, they will have experienced new ball bowler Kemar Roach back after he missed the first Test due to the death of his grandmother.

However, doubt remains over Holder's fitness but Brathwaite said a decision would be made in the coming days about the all-rounder's availability.

West Indies have not won a Test on Indian soil in 24 years and a series in India in nearly four decades