Though the first ODI at Kochi was marred by some off-field drama, the visitors managed to channelise themselves to the task at hand. Infact, they displayed their dominant self by putting up a complete performance and handed India a 124-run defeat. There is a sense of positivity in the West Indies camp. With the team now 1-0 up in the series, the focus was on maintaining that lead by being more consistent in the games to follow. “It is a great feeling to go one nil up against the World Champs. There have been times when we have started well but not finished to our potential. We have set ourselves a standard, now that we have got a good start and we have to make sure we maintain it. This is going to be our biggest test,” West Indies captain Dwayne Bravo said. “India is one of the most difficult teams to play against and the guys have challenged each other as a one-day team. Our challenge is to see if we can repeat our success from the previous ODI or come close with a good performance,” Bravo added. Bravo was also of the view that the win in Kochi was the most complete performance by the side off late. “That was our best all round game we have played in a long time. As a captain and as a group you always ask your players to take up responsibility and one of the top four to try and bat deep into the innings and get a hundered. Marlon Samuels coming back into the team scored a hundred. Denesh Ramdin played his part as well and Dwayne Smith got a quick forty which helped us put a good total on the board. We backed ourselves to defend it and it was an all-round performance at the end of the day.” The captain also credited the support staff for keeping the energy levels high in the dressing room during tough situations. “The good thing is that the team is sticking together and supporting each other well. We have a must win attitude in the team. We have a support staff that brings in a great positive energy to the dressing room. It is good to have legends like Clive Lloyd, Curtly Ambrose or Richie Richardson involved with the team. Curtly Ambrose brings a different energy and an attitude in the team. The players really respect him and look up to him. I have grown up watching these legends and it is good to have them around where players can go to them and get some advice.” In the first ODI, it came as a surprise when Dwayne Bravo walked out to open the innings in the absence of an injured Lendl Simmons. Bravo was still uncertain about Simmons participation in the next ODI and hoped for the opener’s speedy recovery. “Lendl Simmons is still struggling with his back and we are giving him as much time as possible to recover. He is a key member of our squad and he has a lot of bearing to the balance of the team. Hopefully he is fit to play. If not, we have to see what else we can try and do to our top order. Opening is a difficult position but at the same time it is a big opportunity for a lot of players to grab that spot. I took the responsibility to open in the first game but I am not sure where I am going to bat in tomorrow’s game. I would love to see Simmons get fit as quickly as possible which will do good for us.” When asked if this tour would be an ideal preparation before the World Cup, Bravo said, “Playing against one of the better teams in the world gives us an opportunity to see where we are as a team with the world cup round the corner. At the moment we are here in India and the focus is on this tour. We want to see how we play in the next four games and how we can do as an ODI team. We can’t think too ahead of ourselves.”