West Indies batters didn’t even try playing shots: India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey

By India Today Sports Desk: Paras Mhambrey, India’s bowling coach, described the pitch used for the second Test as’very, very slow for batting’ and chastised the West Indians for ”not even trying” to play shots.

Down 0-1 in the two-match series, the West Indies appeared unconcerned about scoring on the third day of play at Queen’s Park Oval in response to India’s first-innings total of 438. He stated that taking 20 wickets on this pitch is a difficult task.

“The pitch is very slow, very easy for batting. Towards the end, it started turning a bit. West Indies were defensive with the bat too. When there’s an attempt to play shots, there’s an opportunity to get a wicket but they didn’t even try that. We were quite impressive, our bowlers did whatever was expected of them though,” Mhambrey said at the end of day’s play.

The former Mumbai and India seamer added, “I think the pitch should be sporting. There has to be a balance – something for batters and bowlers.”

“Yes, Dominica pitch had turn but we utilised the conditions better, the quality of our bowlers allowed us to use it well. On this pitch though it will be hard to take 20 wickets.

“First target is to get them all out in the first innings and then see what lies ahead. Obviously, it’s hard work for bowlers on such wickets but yeah, they shouldn’t be so flat. It’s not entertaining, you want to get results.”

India easily won the first Test in Dominica to take a 1-0 lead in the series. West Indies finished the third day at 229 for five, appearing to be playing for a draw on a pitch that offers little to bowlers. With two days remaining in the match and the West Indies trailing by 209 runs, Mhambrey believes that taking a couple of wickets early on the fourth day morning could benefit his team.

“We are trying to win the match, go session by session. Will see how it’s after the first hour. The ball is still new thankfully. The way (Mohammed) Siraj and Mukesh (Kumar) have bowled and generated swing, looks like we can take wickets. 1-2 wickets early on will throw open the game. We are playing with the mindset to win,” he said.