Kolkata, Nov 18: Putting up an impressive resistance in the Eden Test, Darren Bravo top-scored for the West Indies in both innings with scores of 30 and 136 respectively. Bravo’s hundred is the hundredth hundred by a West Indies player against India. With this century, he now averages – 47.05 – exactly the same average as the legendary Brian Lara after an equal number of Tests (12).
Speaking at the post-match press conference, the Trinidadian said he was sad that his side couldn't make India bat again but was happy with their batting performance in the second innings.
Excerpts:
On the wicket
I don’t think the wicket changed that much. In the first innings we did not give a good account of ourselves where batting is concerned. In the second innings we came together as a team and decided we are going to play our natural game, play our strokes [and] express ourselves in the best possible way. The coach gave us some motivation as well. We knew that we had to dig in deep to make India bat again. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. The guys played pretty well. [Adrian] Barath and Kirk Edwards at the top of the order played well and Marlon Samuels seemed to be back in form and I myself went out there and expressed myself. It is good to see that it is not only [Shivnaraine] Chanderpaul that we can depend on to get big scores. The youngsters are pulling their weight.
On comparisons with Brian Lara
I am quite honoured by the fact that I’m compared with Brian Lara. He is definitely my role model. I play my natural game and may look somewhat like Lara. Nevertheless, I know that emulating him will be a difficult task; to achieve what Brian Lara has achieved [is daunting]. Hopefully when I finish, the records are there, the runs that put me up there with some of the great players as well.
On West Indies being bowled out twice
[We’re] disappointed that we did not make India bat again. We knew it was an uphill task but as I said, the guys showed great character. We should hold our heads high with our batting performance in the second innings.
On Shivnarine Chanderpaul
[Chanderpaul] is experienced and batting with him gave me a lot of confidence […] I just try my best to feed off that. It worked really well and hopefully both of us can have meaningful partnerships once more.
On the third and last Test at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium
It is going to be a difficult Test match in Mumbai. We go there to play for pride and passion. We know what went wrong with our performance in the first match and here so our preparations will be towards a better performance. Hopefully we can convert [the loss to] a draw, if not a victory. It’s going to be a great challenge for us. We are going to give a good account of ourselves and hopefully we can come out on top.
