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'We have 120-odd runs to defend and cannot falter'

November 08, 2011 20:01 IST

West Indies coach Ottis Gibson rued that his side squandered the advantage they had in the first innings by playing too cautiously in the second essay of the first Test against India in Delhi on Tuesday.

After taking a first innings lead of 95 runs, the West Indies were all out for 180 in the second essay and Gibson said his players should have batted more positively.

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"We have not done enough in the second innings and our batsmen should have been more positive without being reckless, just like Virender Sehwag does. He will play his shots without being reckless," Gibson said after the end of the third day's play.

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"Maybe Sehwag has played 10 years of Test cricket while most of our guys are inexperienced. We have to adapt to the conditions quickly," he said.

Gibson though gave credit to Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who took six for 47 in the West Indies second innings, for hitting the right areas.

"We have struggled against off-spinners and Ashwin bowled wicket to wicket with the pitch behaving up and down. He put the ball in the right areas, credit should go to him," he said.

The visiting coach said his side is still in the game and they would be looking for a few quick wickets in the morning session tomorrow.

"We are hoping to get a couple of wickets in the morning session and put pressure on the Indians. Hopefully, the wicket keeps low tomorrow and takes turn. We have 120-odd runs to defend and we cannot falter," said Gibson.

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