West Indies captain Brian Lara has said that the presence of Virender Sehwag in the Indian ranks was the reason he decided to bat for a few extra overs on the final day of the third cricket Test.
ST. KITTS: West Indies captain Brian Lara has said that the presence of Virender Sehwag in the Indian ranks was the reason he decided to bat for a few extra overs on the final day of the third cricket Test.
"With the likes of Virender Sehwag in their ranks, you always want to be cautious. Indians must be given credit for sniffing a win towards the end," Lara said after the match.
Despite being set a stiff target of 392 runs off 88 overs, India took up the challenge from the start through Sehwag's blistering 65 off 75 deliveries which proved that Lara's fears were not unfounded.
However, the Delhi batsman's dismissal immediately after lunch and that of Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the final session persuaded the visitors to shut up shop and leave the series in the balance going into the final Test in Jamaica.
But Lara believes that his team held the advantage over India going into the decider starting June 30.
"Going into the final Test, we have the slight psychological advantage. Jamaica is now the ultimate Test, virtually a final," the batting maestro said.
He saw several positives in the way his team played at St Kitts.
"Guys in the team are now coming of age. Gayle, Sarwan, Ganga, Chanderpaul in this game. I think the team is beginning to show a lot of maturity. Only I appear to be struggling!
"The fact that we are playing for five days is something the journalists and people haven't seen for a long while. In the past we were beaten badly and with time to spare. I think it is a step forward," Lara said.
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