The West Indies have had a dreadful month on the international stage. Their World Cup qualifier campaign in Zimbabwe was doomed by a sequence of losses to Zimbabwe, the Netherlands, and Scotland, which meant the two-time champions would not be present for the newest edition of the premier competition. After that setback, the West Indies flew back home and arrived on another one in Dominica, where they were defeated by India by an innings in three days.
On the eve of what’ll be the 100th Test match between the two sides, India head coach Rahul Dravid was of the opinion that despite the recent setbacks, West Indies had the raw materials for success and that they could rediscover their glory days with a little emphasis on ‘infrastructure and resources’.
“Yes, from a West Indies perspective, I can sense, and people have spoken about the disappointments they do feel,” Dravid said during a pre-match press conference in Trinidad. “I don’t think there’s a shortage of talent here.” I see a lot of talent and ability. And I’m confident that with the correct kind of concentration on facilities and resources, West Indies cricket can return to its former grandeur.
“I’m not an expert. And I believe there are other outstanding specialists who will be able to provide a better solution. It’s great to have someone like Brian Lara on the team. I know he’s been involved in his own tiny manner, but individuals like him, I’m sure, have a lot more expertise and ideas about what they can do to help resuscitate the West Indies.”
Dravid emphasized the importance of putting the West Indies’ results in context and not painting their cross-format performances with a broad brush stroke. Prior to this current series against India, the West Indies had only lost one of their previous six home Test series [against South Africa in 2021]. This streak included victories over Bangladesh (2) and England, as well as rubbers against Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
“First and foremost, I believe the West Indian Test team has had a very good record in recent years.” I mean, before to the series, I believe they had only lost one of the previous six series they had played in the Caribbean. So, you know, I think we need to put things in context,” Dravid said.
“While yes, I believe the current generation of West Indian players face the pressure and challenge of being constantly compared to the great West Indian sides of the 1980s and 1990s.” You know, in the late 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, or some of the teams in the 1950s and 1960s, it’s not simple to compare your squad to a legendary team like the one captained by Clive Lloyd or Viv Richards. That will be difficult for anyone, I believe. It’s not going to be easy, you know.
“Not having the West Indies there [at the World Cup], you know as the inaugural champions of the first two editions, and especially the special connection that they have to India, in a sense that it was the West Indies that India was able to beat in 1983, which signaled in some ways, the resurgence of Indian cricket or the start of a truly great era of cricket in India, both from a viewership popularity point of view….83 was a watershed time in Indian cricket, particularly for a little kid like me growing up. I was ten years old when I saw that game.
“In some ways, the West Indies have a huge history, a legacy at World Cups, and not having them there will certainly be a loss.” But that’s how things happen, and while it will be upsetting for the West Indies, it will be a wonderful celebration of how cricket is spreading in other areas of the world.”
Whereas the West Indies struggled to find and develop talent capable of delivering on the greatest stages, India had an assembly line of teenagers eager to prove their worth at the first call. Yashasvi Jaiswal’s Test debut last week in Dominica was a case in point.
The left-handed opener blasted his way into international cricket with a 171 and proved he belonged there. Dravid, on the other hand, expects the youngster’s assignment to become more difficult in Trinidad and in the near future as teams gain a better understanding of his style, capabilities, and shortcomings, but he praised the system for producing battle-ready players.
“I know that people like Jaiswal and [Shubman] Gill will face tougher and more challenges as they progress and play more cricket.” “You know, teams will get to know them better,” Dravid explained. “I believe that even in this Test, the West Indies will devise tactics and strategies.” They’ll respond to Jaiswal’s performance in the previous Test match, which will be a test for Jaiswal, as well as to the tactics and plans that the West Indies will employ in this game.
“Today, I believe that as a young player, once you become known and start performing well, teams begin to plan and prepare for you better, so you must respond to that as well.” So excited to see his talent and to see how well he performed and just the way he adapted I was really pleased to see that he was willing to play an attacking game when required but also knuckle down and be defensive and work hard for his runs when required, and nothing pleases a coach more than that.
“However, it is a tribute to our domestic system.” It’s a testament to the squad’s environment that many new players can come in and excel right away when they join the Indian team. So much credit should also go to the domestic system for creating these types of players, particularly in the batting department.
“Also, the relaxed atmosphere that the team here has been able to create, which allows young players to come in and express themselves.” So, from our perspective… as a coach, it’s good to see young guys come in and perform right away and do extremely well, whether it’s Yashasvi in the previous game or Shubman’s growth over the last six to eight months. Even just seeing how Ishan [Kishan] came in and kept the last game on a difficult track tells you he did a great job. So there have been a lot of young guys who have done exceptionally well, especially in one-dayers and T20s. So, sure, credit to our domestic system, our NCA, and a lot of other folks who can make it happen for us. So, sure, I’m overjoyed about it. That makes me very happy.”
