Narine will return better: Richardson

West Indies team manager Richie Richardson did not comment on the unpleasant developments that have led to the withdrawal of off-spinner Sunil Narine from the touring squad for the entire series.

“I cannot comment. We can’t do anything about it. We just have to focus on what we have. We are positive even without him.

“We can play well and beat India. That is the attitude we have to adopt. The most important thing is to always pick yourself up and go forward. Sometimes, when you lose a major player, others dig deeper; somebody else comes to the fore,” he said.

The Antiguan said he was happy with the preparation and venues for the series.

“All the players have been playing cricket, so we are pretty fresh. A lot of them have been playing in India in the Champions League. Compared to our visit last year, we are much better prepared and I think we are in a much better position to challenge the Indians.”

Home away from home

Richardson was thrilled that his team would be playing at sea-port cities like Kochi and Visakhapatnam.

“It was very nice of the BCCI to have arranged it like that, because most of us stay close to the sea back in the Caribbean.

“There are wonderful venues in India. Playing in places like Kochi and all these lovely towns reminds us of being back in the Caribbean and we welcome that.”

Finally, talking about Narine’s plight, he said: “It is unfortunate. He has just got to go home, think about it and come back. He will obviously be disappointed, but knowing the character that he is, he is not going to let that bring him down. He is going to work hard and come back a better bowler.

“These things happen, and it is how well you handle the crisis that proves the strength of character you have.

“I know he is a very strong individual. He might seem to be very easy going and very quiet, but deep down he is a very confident and strong individual.”