Bangalore: Legendary cricketer Sir Vivian Richards on Wednesday exhorted the Caribbeans to get into a mental mode that can make the Indian team crumble and promised that the West Indians would give a good fight. "Regardless of how good the Indian team are at this point, we have got to be confident about ourselves. Sometimes, good things do crumble and we have got to think along those line," Sir Richards, chairman of selectors, told reporters. But he admitted that it's always very difficult to beat India in India and it's going to be hard. "But when your participate in a sport, never say never." The current West Indies team has a bunch of talented individuals and a tour of India in the past has brought out a "world beater", he said, naming Andy Roberts and Malcolm Marshal. He also recalled that he made his Test debut in India and after that 'Vivian Richards never looked back'. Sir Richards rated India as a good side and said India played very well in the recent ICC Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka. "It's a pity that the rain interrupted the finals. India at that time was a better team." "Yes, we are hoping that we can give them a good fight. It would be a great cause to us to judge ourselves and how well we played against India," he commented. Sir Richards described dashing Indian batsman Virender Sehwag as "pretty exciting," adding, "The world cricket needs more cricketers of that sort." He said he is enjoying his role as chairman of selectors, and stressed that the West Indies is keen to move ahead "collectively". Coach, manager and chairman of selectors have a role to play. Noting that some of the touring individuals are new to Indian conditions, Sir Richards said having toured India on numerous occasions, it does give him qualification to pass on some of that knowledge in terms of "things to look for, not to look for and what it takes to succeed in India". He said the West Indies is improving as a team. "Judging by our performance and of some of the individuals, I do believe there is a renewed spirit and renewed vigour by individuals and how they would like to succeed," he said. "One felt a sense of pride when they (West Indies) lost to South Africa (in the recent ICC encounter). We (West Indies) had a better team. Sometimes, better team never always wins." Meanwhile, West Indians had nets at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, where they would begin the India campaign on Friday with a three-day game against the Mohammed Kaif- led Board President's XI.
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Tags: cricket, bangalore, sir vivian richards, caribbeans, west indians, indian team, andy roberts, malcolm marshal, icc champions trophy, sri lanka, virender sehwag, west indies, south africa, m chinnaswamy stadium, mohammed kaif.