Anil Kumble always tells me to add variations to my bowling: Amit Mishra

Bengaluru: Indian leg-spinner Amit Mishra on Saturday said the team is emphasising on improving the batting skills of the lower-order batsmen so that they can be handy in crunch situations in the West Indies. "The team is giving lot of importance to tail-enders - bowlers - to get runs so as to slacken the spirits of the opposition and help gain advantage over them," he told reporters. Mishra said the team is going to the West Indies with an "open mind", since they are not sure of playing conditions. "Our main focus will be to acclimatise to the conditions and perform to the best of our abilities. More than the technical aspects, team's focus is on planning - on how to execute the strategies," he said. On his interactions with new coach Anil Kumble, Mishra said, "I have been interacting with Anil Kumble for the last 15 years. He always tells me to add variations and that's what I am trying to do." Mishra also said everyone including Kumble is supporting rookie pacer Shardul Thakur. "Whatever help he requires we are ready to give. I think he is very happy at this kind of setup, especially having Anil Kumble and others in the side," he said. Mishra said West Indies is a good side as they have good fast bowlers and batsmen.