Nothing much to read about India's loss to England: Stuart Law

Law has accepted the reality of West Indies' failure against India. However, he relier upon the bowling unit the team has got

West Indies coach Stuart Law is not reading much into India's recent troubles in overseas Tests and says his fast-improving team faces a huge challenge against the world number one side in the two-Test series starting here on Thursday.

“We have spoken a lot (ahead of the series). We played two good home series against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. At the same time, I don't read too much into India's form in England. I was there watching pretty closely. It was a lot closer than the 1-4 scoreline. England were just able to win the crucial moments,” Law said Tuesday.

“India are the number one side, we are further down the ladder (at 8). We are playing in their own backyard, it is a huge task. Not many teams have come here and won. We understand that but on the flipside, we are getting better and better,” added Law.

The last time West Indies won a Test series against India was at home in 2002. The team has lost six straight series against India since then. Law, however, sounded confident going into the series opener.

“We spent good eight days (in Dubai) before we came to India. It was 45 degrees during the day in Dubai so heat here won't be an issue. Then we had a good couple of days in Baroda (only tour warm-up), the pitch was similar looking to what I see here today. Preparation has been good.

“We have talked a lot but it is time now to stop talking. It is time the boys show what they have got on the field. Touring India has always been tough for teams, we have to show the world that we can play the game and grab hold of those opportunities,” said the 49-year-old cricketer-turned-coach.

Indian openers struggled against the moving ball in England. Asked about the West Indies opening combination of Kraigg Brathwaite and Kieran Powell, Law said batting in the top-order is only getting tougher.

“Look we are seeing a pattern arise that batting at the top three and four has become quite difficult. We are in a similar position. Kraigg and Kieran have opened the batting plenty of times together and they have been good so far here, they are in good head space.

“We have got our plans obviously and the boys have to show it in front of fanatical crowds against the world number one team. Something we should enjoy and not fear,” he reiterated.

Law feels it will be tough bowling to Virat Kohli and Co.

“He is great in other countries and not just in India. Kohli is a great batsman. Like I said it is not bowling to the name, it is about bowling to the batsman, then your job becomes a bit easier. And he is not the only one in the batting line up. You guys have got billions of people to choose from and the batters who are coming through are the best in the world.”