Sourav.MGuwahati: West Indies bowling coach Ravi Rampaul refused to use the conditions as an excuse after India completed a stunning 406-run chase in Guwahati, admitting that his bowlers’ execution fell short against a formidable Indian top order.“It was definitely a very good batting performance by the Indian team in their home conditions on a batting-friendly pitch,” Rampaul said after West Indies’ 405/7 was chased down with 39 balls to spare. “However, our bowlers weren’t consistent enough on a surface that suited batting, and our execution wasn’t up to the required standard today (Wednesday).”At the halfway stage, West Indies believed their total was defendable but knew their bowlers would have to be at their best.“We were confident, but we also knew it was a good batting pitch and that we would have to bowl very well to defend that score,” Rampaul said. “Having said that, the Indian batters played exceptionally well in powerplay and put us on back foot from the start. We were playing catch-up for the remainder of the game.”The West Indies camp tried different field placements and options during the drinks breaks, but India batters kept finding answers.“We shared information with the bowlers and the captain regarding different field placements and options against specific batsmen,” Rampaul said. “However, every time we tried something different, the Indian batters seemed to have an answer.”India’s top three deserved credit, but Rampaul still put the defeat largely down to his own attack.“India’s top three are among the best in the world. But I would still put it down largely to our execution as bowlers,” he said.His message to the attack was to rebuild confidence rather than dwell on the figures.“We have to continue believing in ourselves, stick to our strengths and trust that opportunities will come,” he said. “Chasing down more than 400 runs in 43 overs (43.3 actually) is obviously not acceptable from our perspective, but it’s important to rebuild confidence and move forward.”While the pitch offered little assistance to either pace or spin, Rampaul acknowledged that such conditions are increasingly common.“Flat pitches are common everywhere now, but this was especially batting-friendly,” he said. “There was very little assistance for either the spinners or the fast bowlers.”West Indies’ batting, meanwhile, provided significant positives. John Campbell, Shai Hope and Amir Jangoo all scored centuries.“Our batting unit has done a very good job,” Rampaul said. “The experience the players gain from this series will be valuable when we head into the qualifiers.”He praised Campbell’s attacking hundred and Jangoo’s handling of India’s spinners, while Hope’s 20th ODI century further underlined his consistency.“He’s one of our most consistent performers and always leads from the front with the bat,” Rampaul said of Hope.For West Indies, Guwahati was therefore a lesson at both ends: batters maximised favourable conditions, while the bowlers were reminded that when the pitch offers little, execution becomes even more important.
