Carlos Brathwaite, newly appointed West Indies T20 captain after
Darren Sammy's sacking, believes that he will not have difficulty in
leading the current squad during the upcoming T20I series against India.
Both teams are set to square off in Lauderhill, USA for a 2-match
series on August 27 and 28.
The Barbadian was named the
skipper earlier this month after the West Indies selectors told two-time
World Champion Sammy that he did not deserve a place in the side after
they "reviewed the captaincy of T20."
Speaking after the rain-marred final Test in Trinidad, Brathwaite explained why his job could be "pretty easy."
"I
think a team like this will be pretty easy to lead, from the point of
view that the dressing room is a fun place to be. I don't think it's a
case where I have to negotiate too many egos. The guys enjoy each
other's company. It's just a matter for me to go there, do the things
that I can do, firstly as a player and then a captain, continue to mould
the team that Darren has started to mould, efficiently," Brathwaite
said at a press conference.
"Again, the most important thing
is getting victories for the West Indies. As a new leader, things might
change bit by bit. It's just about adjusting and then for me to find
ways for the team to continue to win.
"I don't want to get too
deep into the psychology of changing leaders and stuff like that. I
think all the guys are mature enough. We have had cases where some of
the guys were captains, and then played the next series under a
different captain. We are professionals, we all know what we have to go
out there and do," the all-rounder added.
The 28-year-old, who
grabbed eyeballs with his stellar show in the 2016 ICC World T20 final
against England - he hit four sixes in the last over to give West Indies
an improbable win - hopes that he could lead from the front.
"It's
a matter of, first, to go out there and win games for the West Indies
and I hope that my leadership can influence that in some part. Even if
it doesn't, if we win the games that will be the most important thing,"
Brathwaite explained.
Although he was keen to take up the
leadership role, Brathwaite admitted that he had a bit of hesitation and
wanted a clarification from the selectors as to what their expectations
were from him.
"Yes there was hesitation. I wanted to contact
my family and my close advisors before I took the job. It is an honour,
I would never say I didn't want to take it. But obviously I had some
questions that I asked of the selection panel before I took the job.
Just basically to clarify why they wanted me, what they expected of me,
and coming into the role knowing my job," Brathwaite opened up.
Sammy, the man Brathwaite takes over from, congratulated his successor and gave him a 'good vote of confidence'.
"He
just told me, 'Congratulations'. He heard it before I spoke to him, and
he just said, 'Congratulations, it's a big challenge'. He gave me his
blessing and as a senior guy appreciated it, which allowed me to ease
into the role.
"I haven't officially started yet, but it has
allowed me to transition easier from just being told [about the
captaincy] to the excitement of wanting to get on the field and lead. It
was a good vote of confidence speaking to Sammy, then I saw him at a
charity event, saw some of the senior guys as well, all have been
telling me positive things."
Meanwhile, Ravichandran Ashwin,
who was waiting to address the media next, turned reporter and asked
Brathwaite if he thought India would get more support in USA than West
Indies.
"It's funny because the US has a lot of Caribbean
supporters and I think a few Caribbean people who used to like cricket
but probably don't follow it anymore would love to come out and enjoy
some games in the US. Whether they will be supporting West Indies or
India I don't know, but I think it will be a very good spectacle.
From
all reports, CPL had a fantastic ovation and it was well-received. And I
hope this is the start of big things. We are next-door neighbours and
the US is a powerhouse, so let's see how it goes. We are testing the
waters a bit, hopefully it goes well and hopefully this is the first of
many in the USA," Brathwaite said.
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