‘Lara too failed in India as skipper’
HYDERABAD: West Indies skipper Jason Holder, who along with pacer Shannon Gabriel is racing against time to get fit for the second Test starting here on Friday, hit back at critics saying it was unfair to speak so lowly of the Caribbeans as a Test unit because in his entire career, a legend like Brian Lara managed to win just one Test in India. And that was way back in 1994.
Since then, West Indies have played eight Tests in India – in 2002, 2011 and 2013 – and lost six, with the other two drawn.
“The critics should remember that we are playing the best Test side in its own backyard. And the fact that Windies have not won a Test since 1994 should also remind them how tough it is to beat the home team in these conditions. And in the meanwhile we had Brian Lara playing at his best,” he said.
“People will always find things to say,” Holder said. “Our focus right now is not to think what the critics say, but focus on the cricket.”
West Indies will be bolstered by the return of pace spearhead Kemar Roach, who left the squad just before the first Test due to a family bereavement.
Holder said he believed West Indies were better in Tests than in ODIS as their last success in the 50-over format came way back in 2004 in the Champions Trophy.
In contrast, Windies have won two of their last four Test series, albeit against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.
Holder is hopeful Chris Gayle will play in the 2019 World Cup though the veteran opted out of the limited-overs series here, choosing to play a T20 league.