Follow UsAfter a heart-wrenching loss to Australia in the summit clash of the World Test Championship, India are all set to kickstart the new cycle of the tournament with a two-match away series against West Indies starting July 12.
The Windies have endured a tough outing at international cricket as they failed to qualify for the first time in the history of the cricket World Cup after losing their must-win clash against Scotland in the Qualifiers.
Despite cricket being at an all-time low in the nation, Kraigg Brathwaite, the skipper of the Test side, is confident that the team will put behind the disappointment and focus on starting the Test series on a positive note.
"It's important to start well. We are playing against India, so you know the guys are really looking forward to it," Brathwaite was quoted as saying by ESPN Cricinfo.
"I think as a team, and as batsmen and bowlers, we already have those thoughts in mind about what to expect, and this is why preparation is very important."
"It's all about how you prepare, knowing what we're going to get in terms of conditions, we generally know how the surfaces will play, and we already know India's team, so it's important from now to mentally prepare, and understand the plans we want both as a bowling unit and as batters, so you know it will all come down to execution."
The two-Test series will also mark a special occasion for both sides as India and West Indies will lock horns for the 100th time in the longest format on July 20 in Trinidad.
"Dominica will host the first Test match, and we call for the supporters in Dominica to come out and support us, but the guys are really looking forward to the first two Test matches of this cycle."
"That's great, you know, in terms of the 100th Test match against West Indies, and it's in Trinidad, and you know they love their cricket there, so I think it's important, and we got to try to make the region proud," he concluded.