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West Indies’ Test side has been on a downward spiral for a long time. In the previous World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, they won just three Tests. The current WTC cycle has got off to a poor start. After getting bowled out for a paltry 27 at home by Australia in July, they failed to cross the 200-run mark in both innings and lost the Ahmedabad Test by an innings and 140 runs. Amidst widespread scrutiny, Gill was asked about reason for West Indies’ Test cricket’s decline. He pointed out the obvious, saying that their focus is more on T20 cricket.
“The Windies players have their focus on T20s more. They have forgotten the roots of the game i.e. Test matches. As soon as they do the basics right, play Tests well. Then they’ll ultimately do well in all formats,” Gill said in the pre-match conference at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, on October 9.
In the Ahmedabad Test, no West Indies batter could score a half-century. The top scorer in an innings for them was Alick Athanaze. The young top-order batter scored 38 runs from 74 in the first innings. Overall, Justin Greaves scored most in the opening Test, registering scores of 32 and 25.
They lacked in the bowling department as well, taking just five wickets as India piled on 448 runs from 128 overs before Gill declared the innings.
Meanwhile, Gill is focussed on getting crucial WTC points and maintain their standards in the longest format.
“We want to play at our own intensity. It doesn’t matter who we are playing, we just want to maintain our standards,” said the 26-year-old.
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West Indies’ previous Test win against India
The last time West Indies won a Test against India was in 2002 under Carl Hooper's captaincy when Gill was just a toddler. Their last Test win on Indian soil dates back to 1994. In Mohali, a Courtney Walsh-led side had beaten Mohammad Azharuddin-led side by 243 runs.
The last time India and West Indies locked horns in Delhi was in 2011. MS Dhoni-led India beat Daren Sammy's West Indies by five wickets within four days.
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