Chennai March 19: West Indies captain, Darren Sammy, believes that his team needs to get into a winning position and grab the opportunity with both hands if West Indies are to do well at the business end of the tournament.After a strenuous practice session in the Chennai heat, Sammy took time out to answer the media’s queries.

On whether the schedule has worked out in favour of the West Indies:

Well it has its ups and downs but for us, first objective was to qualify for the knock out stage and we’ve done well so far and we have one game against India. We are not too sure what’s the result going to be in the Bangladesh – South Africa game but we’ve got to focus on India and hopefully we will get a result in our favour.

On batting being their weak link in the tournament and playing Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who has an extremely good record against India, to address that area:

Well obviously we will meet again tonight and sure we will come up with the best combination. We all respect what Shiv’s done for is in the past. He is one of our most experienced players, so obviously that will come into consideration.

On Chris Gayle’s good form being offset by the middle-order’s batting struggle:

No I wouldn’t say it like that. The good thing about our side is before when, Chris [Gayle]got out we tended to crumble. But that’s not the case with this team. As you can see throughout the tournament starting with South Africa, Chris got out in the first over but we still got to 200 odd. So it’s good to see our performances coming from different individuals and as a captain that’s good for me. In the last game we saw young [Devendra] Bishoo and young [Andre] Russell step up , so obviously each game somebody turns up so it’s a good thing for us.

On the fact that West Indies haven’t beaten a major nation in the ODIs for quite some time

Obviously you know winning is a habit. We’ve hadn’t had a winning streak. We are aware, we are coming close, so the key thing is when the opportunity presents itself, where we could get the results in our favour, we have to grab it with both hands. I think it’s important that when these moments arise we seize it and we are getting close.

On the fact that India has not played to their potential and that could be one area where they can be put under pressure:

I don’t really know what India’s full potential is. You will have to ask [MS] Dhoni that question. But from what I could say, we know them, we respect them. They are a good team, they have some great players in there. We will come out with our game plan and hopefully execute properly and put pressure on the Indian team.

On Sachin Tendulkar, who is close to making history:

Nobody can question what Sachin [Tendulkar] has done in the game and he is a great player. We respect him like we respect every player in the Indian team. We will have our plans against him and hopefully we execute it properly. So that’s all I have to say on that.

On whether Chris Gayle is hundred percent fit to play tomorrow:

Well all the players are in good spirits and I know all players will come out hard tomorrow. They know how important the game is. Everybody will be going out there to give hundred percent. Players who could bat and bowl will come out for that and in fact everybody will look to take on their responsibilities. And if Chris has to bowl and do what he has to do, then I guess he will do that.

On his assessment of the wicket:

Well I must say that for the first time I have seen a tent over a wicket, but yes we played England on a wicket that looked similar. I think both teams should have gotten more runs looking at the start they had but as you saw, in the second innings the ball did spin a bit more. So hopefully I will win a toss in the tournament and bat first and look to maximize the spin in the wicket bowling second.