‘India is ranked No 2 for a reason’
‘Our Test team is a very inexperienced one, it needs time to gel together’
West Indies captain Jason Holder believes it will be a tough challenge for his young and inexperienced team to face the quality bowling and batting attack of world No 2 India during the four-Test series, starting at Antigua on July 21.
"It's going to be a tough series. India is ranked No 2 for a reason. They have a quality batting line-up and quality bowling as well. It will be a tough challenge for this young Test team," said Holder.
"Our Test team is a very inexperienced one; it needs time to gel together and needs time to put performances together and get to know one another a little bit more. We're practically in a transitional phase and we're trying to groom a Test team and it will take time.
"One of the big things we fell down in the past is batting 90 overs in a day and setting up a good first innings total. That is something I want to keep stressing in the dressing room. It is important we set the tone whether batting first or bowling first," he was quoted as saying in Barbados Today.
Asked about his expectations from the series, Holder said: "For me, I need some runs. I scored a hundred last year and haven't had one for a while. I'm at least looking to get a century in this series.
"In terms of bowling, I'm yet to get a five-wicket haul in Test cricket. So there are a few milestones for me to look ahead to and to look to accomplish. Personally, for me, it is to pick up that first five-wicket haul and to look to continue on and score some runs."
Holder had suffered a hamstring injury in the middle of the tri-series against South Africa and Australia last month but made a come back in the penultimate game.
The West Indies started their training camp on Monday and Holder said he is ready for the gruelling Test series, which begins with the opening Test on July 21 at Antigua.
"Yeah, I'm ready for the series. I feel well rested and it's work time. Again, it's a quick turnaround time, just two weeks at home, would've loved to have a bit more time off but that's how the international schedule goes."
Holder, who made his Test debut in 2014 before becoming captain in 2016, said he is not too disappointed with his progress so far.
"To be fair, I'm not too disappointed with my progression. I'm still relatively young, 24 years old, and into the international circuit full on. Seeing where I was in 2014 to where I am now is a significant improvement.
"I probably didn't expect to have a Test century at this stage batting at number 7 and 8 because it's tough to get a century in those positions, so I'm not too disappointed with my progression.
"Ideally I would like to average 35-plus with the bat and be able to pick up a few more wickets."
