DHAKA, Bangladesh – Denesh Ramdin said it was important for West Indies to take a dynamic approach to their upcoming two-Test series against Bangladesh.
The West Indies vice-captain said winning the first Test will be crucial to easing the pressure on the visitors and curbing the enthusiasm of the home team.
“[Bangladesh] are a team that on any given day can come and put up a good fight,” Ramdin told WICB Media.
“We are not going to take them lightly. They have good players, but we are going to play hard. They are favourites in their home conditions, but we are confident that all will go well for us on this tour.”
Ramdin said West Indies had a number of players that could be trump cards in the series, but the batting will be the key to victory.
“It is very important that we start well and not take them lightly,” the West Indies wicketkeeper/batsman said.
“We have some good players in the fray, like Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels and Shivnarine Chanderpaul, and hopefully they can give us the impetus to do well in this series.
He added: “I believe we will have similar conditions to the Caribbean. The pitches are quite slow, and we have variety in our bowling.
“We have [off-spinner] Sunil Narine on his first trip here and [left-arm spinner] Veerasammy Permaul is on his debut tour with the senior squad.”
Ramdin said the players would have to overcome the diet of limited-overs cricket which they have been playing in the last few months, leading to West Indies winning the ICC World Twenty20 Tournament last month.
“Whatever the case, we will all have to adapt to the conditions,” he said. “I believe we have the capability of playing longer innings, and all of us want to get out onto the field and be successful.
“We would like to win this series, but it will depend on the weather. Hopefully, we can all prepare well and adapt quickly to the conditions.
“It is very important that we keep the momentum from winning the World T20 going…so we are looking forward to giving a good show against the Bangladeshis.”
Ramdin said he was relaxed about being chosen vice captain, a role which he has performed on several occasions in the past.
“There is not much pressure on me,” he said. “It is important for me to continue to play and enjoy the game.
“Whatever I have to do for the team, I will give it 100 per cent. At the end of the day, it is a team sport and we want to win. I want to contribute with the bat and the gloves, so that we can have a successful series over here.”
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