India at home is often an overwhelming opposition to visiting teams and West Indies coach Ottis Gibson emphasised the need for his squad to be at its best in the Test series commencing here on Sunday.
“India may not be at the number one position anymore but it is still a top side and we need to challenge ourselves against them and see where we are. We need to be fearless.
“The number seven team is playing the number three, and if we take a backward step it will be a sign of weakness,” Gibson said here on Friday.
The West Indies coach wants his team to feed off the confidence gained from a 1-0 Test series triumph in Bangladesh.
“Whether it is against Bangladesh or a top nation, winning is very important.
“It is good to see so many of our young players put in outstanding performances.
“This (Indian tour) is a different challenge and one that we are really looking forward to,” Gibson said.
The coach admitted that it would be an onerous task to bowl against the formidable Indian batting line-up.
“Against this Indian batting line-up, you probably need seven bowlers,” Gibson said, but he also reposed faith in a pace attack that features Fidel Edwards, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach and Sammy besides leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo.
“We believe in the quality of our fast bowlers.
“We are also skilled enough to reverse (swing) it and hopefully Bishoo will play a greater part in this series,” the coach added.
