After suffering a pasting inside three days, the task has only gotten arduous for the West Indies in the second Test. If inexperience and lack of temperament hit them hard in the opening game, the visitors are fretting over injuries to their key bowlers ahead of the second and final match.
The return of Kemar Roach is a big boost for the West Indies. The 30-year-old bowled a long session at the ‘nets’ here at the Rajiv Gandhi International stadium on Wednesday. However, Roach will be hoping his skipper Jason Holder and the in-form Shannon Gabriel are fit enough to give him support against the mighty Indian batsman. Both Holder and Gabriel didn't exert themselves much in the practice session.
Holder, who missed out in the first Test due to an ankle injury, said he is working hard on returning to action. “In the last Test match, I just didn’t feel right. I had a scan and it didn’t turn out to be too bad. But, it’s a matter of managing the pain. Injuries aren’t new to me. I didn’t want to start a Test match and then be in a situation where I am not able to finish it. I feel a lot stronger now and the pain has decreased for me. It’s a matter of sustaining for five days. Likewise, with Shannon (Gabriel) we are going to see how he pulls up tomorrow and probably make the call in the morning of the match. I am really pushing hard to be fit,” said Holder here at a press conference.
Apart from the injuries, the West Indies received the news of coach Stuart Law quitting his role at the start of the series. Holder said it has been difficult handling the frequent changes of coaches. “It’s difficult. We have got a number of coaches in the last five years I would say. And, I must say that the boys have been professional to adjust to each and every coach. Many don’t understand what goes on behind the scenes. I have seen things that players have found hard to deal with. Credit must go to them, whoever comes in and coaches us, we are focused and judge ourselves on how we play. And that’s why I don’t get too worried about what people say outside. Within the dynamics of the team, I know what really goes on. It’s not an excuse or looking for things to ease the pressure. But at the end of the day you deal with reality,” Holder explained.