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West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo said on Tuesday India would be tough to beat in the ICC Champions Trophy tournament despite his team’s recent impressive record against them.

The West Indies clash with India in their second Group-A league match here on Thursday. Both teams have won their opening games, with India beating England and the West Indies defeating world champions Australia.

India have lost five of their last seven One-day Internationals (ODIs) against the West Indies in recent months, but Bravo said his team would find it tough to deliver in different conditions. “The Indian batting line-up is up and down and some of their players are not in form, but they are always comfortable at home. We are aware the conditions will be different, but we are looking forward to the challenge,” said Bravo.

The West Indies defeated India 4-1 in a home ODI series in May and once in a triangular series in Malaysia. Bravo played a key role in his team’s series triumph against India at home, scoring two half-centuries and taking eight wickets with his seam bowling, his deceptive slower delivery being the talking point.

“We go into the match with confidence as we have an edge over India in recent one-dayers,” said Bravo, 23. “We play two games here (against India and England). Guys are working hard on batting and fielding. I am sure all the batsmen will put their hands up when the situation arises.”

Defending champions West Indies have lost just one of their four games in the ongoing tournament, against Sri Lanka. They beat Bangladesh and Zimbabwe in the qualifying round, and Australia in their opening group match. Their star against Australia was fast bowler Jerome Taylor, who grabbed a hat-trick to script his team’s 10-run victory in a tense match.

“I’d love to take a hat-trick (against India), but I won’t say I am looking forward to it. Good if it happens,” said Bravo, who was born in Santa Cruz which is also the home of his skipper Brian Lara.

Bravo said Lara’s influence was the key to his team’s surprise victory over Australia in the previous game. Lara slammed an impressive 71 in a 137-run stand with Runako Morton to bolster the innings. “He batted at number six in that match and that gave balance to the side. Others knew they had an experienced batsman down the order,” said Bravo, who has scored 576 runs and taken 53 wickets in 52 ODIs.
Source:The News

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