Follow UsThe West Indies were thrashed by an innings and 140 runs in the first Test in Ahmedabad. They go into the second Test, potentially low on confidence, after posting just 162 and 146 in reply to India's 448/5. In the entire match, only two players got more than 30, and there wasn't a single fifty partnership as well.
West Indies captain Roston Chase has underlined that as a problem and believes that his teammates have to kick on once they get a start. "I don't think the guys are lacking confidence. But it's just to get that one score, to get that start and to then kick on from there," Chase said ahead of the second Test in Delhi.
"It just takes one... get that good innings or that hundred or that big fifty, that then gives you the confidence to actually think 'I can do it'.
"I think everyone is confident, but when we get out there, we didn't start well as a batting unit and the pressure is on, and it's for us to soak up that pressure as batters, and still find a way to score, put pressure back on to the Indian bowlers. That is the biggest challenge for us. We just need to get that start and kick on. And we'll be fine."
While Chase admits that it is not an ideal situation to be in, he backs his team to turn it around. "Obviously, we are down right now but it has to change at some point, and the change can start from now," Chase said.
"But it starts with the belief and the mindset of each and every player, and just keep motivating the guys that we can still play some positive cricket."
Chase smashed a ton in just his second Test, which came against India in 2016. However, since then, he has hit just four more centuries and has racked up 53 Tests, in which he averages just over 25. He has been underwhelming with the ball as well, with just 88 wickets at 46.25.
Chase feels that it is vital for him and everyone in the dressing room to keep evolving and deliver for the team, despite the opposition knowing their strengths and weaknesses.
"I can't really speak for anyone [else], but for myself, I just think it's a matter of confidence and continuously playing quality first-class cricket and so on. Just that knowhow and facing good attacks for longer periods, and obviously, trying to improve on faults you may have picked up early on in your career," Chase said.
"Obviously, when you first start, no one really knows you, and then, obviously, [you] play a couple of games and people see your weaknesses and try to exploit them. So it's for the players to just improve on those weaknesses from as early as possible. That's it.
"It's just digging deep for those four sessions and trying to stay in the now and not what has happened before in terms of the ball before or the over before. Just staying in the present is the biggest challenge for me right now. That's something I have to go with."
The 33-year-old from Barbados has played in quite a few T20 leagues around the world, including the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), but says that his priority will always to play for the West Indies and not consider any lucrative deals.
"It was always my dream to play for West Indies. I had a chance to play franchise cricket and I still have opportunities to play franchise cricket. But I have given that up," he said.
"So I cannot say that I am not hungry or not hungry, because this is what I wanted to do. I gave up my chance to play franchise cricket and I have taken up the captaincy role [in Tests], which is a big step.
"So that just goes to show that I want to be here. I want to play for the Maroon. And I have always given my all for the Maroon."
Chase's side are yet to win a Test in the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. They were blanked 3-0 at home by Australia in June-July.