'it’s important to prepare mentally' - Kraigg Braithwate eager to turn things around for West Indies after World Cup shock

The West Indies are at their lowest as they failed to qualify for the ODI World Cup 2023 scheduled in India from October 5. The Shai Hope-led side was knocked out in the World Cup Qualifiers following their consecutive losses against hosts Zimbabwe, the Netherlands, and Scotland. 

Following the dismal show by the team, West Indies Test captain Kraigg Brathwaite is hopeful for a positive start in the upcoming two-match Test series against India, starting from July 12. The West Indies team is currently attending a training camp at the Coolidge Cricket Ground to prepare, and captain Brathwaite has put importance on mental preparation and understanding the plans.

“It’s all about how you prepare, knowing what we’re going to get in terms of conditions, we generally know how the surfaces will play, and we already know India’s team, so it’s important from now to mentally prepare, and understand the plans we want both as a bowling unit and as batters, so you know it will all come down to execution,” Brathwaite was quoted as saying by Cricket West Indies (CWI).

The 30-year-old further called for the fans to show up and support their team in the first Test in Dominica. “Dominica will host the first Test match, and we call for the supporters in Dominica to come out and support us, but the guys are really looking forward to the first two Test matches of this cycle,” he added.

The West Indies vs India series will begin with two Tests scheduled to be played in Dominica and Trinidad. The series will mark the beginning of the World Test Championship Cycle 2023-25 for both teams. Following that, the two teams will lock horns in a three ODIs and five T20Is between July 27 to August 13.

West Indies to start preparations for T20 World Cup 2024

Having been knocked out of the ODI World Cup, the West Indies will now focus on their T20 team as they will be hosting the T20 World Cup 2024 along with the USA. The ‘Men in Maroon’ have automatically qualified for the marquee event, being the hosts. They will be eager to redeem themselves in the mega event after failing to qualify for the group stage of the T20 World Cup last year.