JOIN USThe West Indies failed to build on their 95-run lead and were shot out for 180, setting India a target of 276. “The batting in the second innings,” the West Indian captain said of what he thought was the turning point of the Test. “We should have posted at least 250 and given India 350 or so. You don’t bowl out the Indian batting twice for less than 220. With the calibre of people they have, it’s going to be tough.
“When we came here, we knew how difficult it is to beat India at home but we believed in ourselves and played some good cricket. If we had another 100 runs, knowing that India hasn’t scored more than 300 runs in their last nine innings, that could have been a different ball game.” Sammy admitted that the early dismissal of Rahul Dravid on the fourth morning had given his team a fillip.
Sammy was asked if he had sensed a desperation in Sachin Tendulkar to get to his 100th international ton, especially after he turned down a leg-bye off Devendra Bishoo. “Actually, when he turned down the single, I went to Bishoo and told him let’s try to go round the wicket and force him to sweep off the rough,” the skipper revealed. “But Bishoo said to give him two more balls (from over the wicket) and he got him out! The way they were batting, Sachin really wanted to get the hundred but unfortunately for him… Like I said, before the game, I would love to see him get 100 hundreds but I prefer to watch it during the India-Australia series, sitting on my couch and cheering for Sachin!”