New Delhi, Oct 12 (NationPress) West Indies' left-arm spinner Khary Pierre expressed his astonishment regarding India’s choice to implement the follow-on during the third day of the second and final Test. However, he noted that his team was ready to tackle the challenge by adopting a counterattacking strategy on a pitch he deemed to be still excellent for batting, despite some unpredictable turns.

At the Arun Jaitley Stadium this Sunday, the West Indies were dismissed for 248 in their first innings, trailing by a substantial margin of 270 runs. With India opting for the follow-on, the West Indies displayed resilience in their second innings, highlighted by John Campbell's impressive score of 87 not out, forming a crucial 138-run partnership with Shai Hope, who remains unbeaten at 66.

“To be honest, I found it somewhat unexpected that they chose to bowl again, considering the pitch is still quite good. Having spent considerable time batting on it, I can affirm it remains a solid wicket,” Pierre stated.

“Although I was surprised, it’s India’s strategy, and they aimed for a win, possibly not feeling the need to bat again. Nevertheless, we welcomed the challenge, and it’s vital that we bat effectively this innings to make a contest of it,” he added, addressing reporters after day three's play.

As day three concluded, the West Indies stood at 173/2, requiring 97 more runs for India to bat again. Pierre highlighted the emphasis on focus within the dressing room and commended the lower order’s perseverance during the first innings, where he contributed 23 runs off 46 balls, forming a 46-run partnership with Anderson Philip for the ninth wicket.

"It has certainly been a challenge. Observing the pitch, while it's still a good one, there are instances of spin. Personally, I find it challenging as well. The Indian batsmen have adapted well to the conditions and performed admirably. Although it’s been tough for me, it’s a significant learning phase since this is merely my second Test match,” he explained.

"The focus on application has been our mantra, as emphasized by Daren Sammy and the coaching team—taking it one session at a time. This is the first instance we have managed to win a session across both Test matches so far.”

“It’s about application; our lower order demonstrated some fight, which is why we approached this innings with the same mindset. Once you maintain that focus, set a batter on the pitch, runs can be made. That was the key message before we headed out to bat,” he elaborated.

Pierre, who is only in his second Test match, mentioned that the experience thus far has been a steep learning curve. “I’ve gained a lot of insights. Test cricket is particularly challenging—conditions can be tough. However, I’ve identified areas for improvement, such as variations and gaining more grip on the ball,” he remarked.

“There’s much for me to learn moving forward, and I believe that by addressing these areas, I can enhance my performance in Test cricket. For now, I’m focused on absorbing all these lessons and improving my game,” he stated.

Looking ahead to day four, Pierre expressed optimism, buoyed by the solid foundation laid by Campbell and Hope. “There’s considerable confidence; these two batsmen have established a strong platform for us. This is Test cricket, and we must capitalize on this before conditions deteriorate further. The more runs we accumulate, the more it could challenge the Indian batsmen,” he asserted.

“We must sustain our momentum; these players are set for tomorrow, and hopefully, they can continue their performance, which will also bolster the incoming batsmen’s confidence. If we can bat for an extended period, we can aim for a decent lead and keep this contest alive,” he added.

“I still believe the pitch is favorable, with only the occasional ball spinning a bit. Overall, it’s a good wicket for batting, but as the match progresses—especially into the last session of the fourth day and into the fifth, I expect it to deteriorate significantly, leading to more spin,” he explained further.

Pierre also commended left-handed opener Campbell for his effort, considering it a reward for his diligence and resilience after an unfortunate first innings dismissal. “John has been performing well. His dismissals haven’t always gone his way; his first innings dismissal was particularly hard to accept,” he said.

“However, he has been batting excellently, so his runs were imminent. It’s crucial to remain focused, and he did just that today, reaping the rewards. He batted exceptionally well alongside Hope, providing us with stability and a foundation to build on,” he concluded.

Pierre reiterated the team’s batting philosophy: “It’s all about continuity. On these pitches, once you make a start, you must convert it into a substantial score, and that’s our objective. That’s the message we’re trying to convey… aiming to capitalize for the team.”