Captain Rohit Sharma led from the front with a classic fifty which was topped with Dinesh Karthik's fiery cameo as India registered an emphatic 68-run victory in the T20I opener of the five-match series on Friday (July 29).
India rode on Rohit's blistering 44-ball-64 and Karthik's calculated assault of 41 off 19 to post 190/6 for West Indies to chase.
Subsequently, Indian bowlers put up a show to fold the Men in Maroon to 122/8.
Meanwhile, Indian captain Rohit wants his batters to "carry on longer" and convert their starts into substantial scores.
"We knew it's going to be slightly tough, the shot making wasn't easy at the start. The guys who are set need to carry on for longer and the way we finished off the first innings was a great effort," Rohit said at the presentation ceremony.
"When we finished the first 10 overs, we didn't think we could get to 190. It was a great effort from the boys and great finish. There are three facets of the game which we are trying to improve.
"We have got to try and back the ideas about executing it with the bat. We want to try certain things and all in all I thought it was a great effort," Rohit, who is preparing to lead the team in the upcoming T20 World Cup, added.
For coach Rahul Dravid, almost all the strategic changes in the playing XI seemed to work.
Suryakumar Yadav (24 off 16 balls) provided an interesting option as an opener while the manner in which Arshdeep Singh deceived a rampaging Kyle Mayers with a short delivery spoke volumes about his temperament.
"Certain pitches will not allow you to do that and we need to assess how we go about. It is all about backing your skills and strengths.
"I love playing here in West Indies. Indian team always receives great support from the Indian crowd coming in from the USA and also the local crowd here, quite superb to get such support," Rohit said.
The team's designated finisher, Karthik spoke about the backing he's been receiving from the team management.
"It was sticky, not an easy wicket to bat on. It's a very interesting role, you need the backing from the coach and the captain and that really helped. Important to assess the wicket and what kind of shots you need to play, and that comes with practice," said Karthik, the Player of the Match.
Trailing 0-1 in the five-match series, West Indies skipper Nicholas Pooran was disappointed to have let the "amazing" crowd down.
"The players have been feeling very hurt but this is the first game of the T20 series and we will look to bounce back," Pooran said.
