Trinidad win sweetest as captain: Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly described India's 37-run win over the West Indies in the second Test on Tuesday as his sweetest moment as captain.

Ganguly took over the reins from Sachin Tendulkar in the home series against South Africa in early 2000.

"So far it is my sweetest moment as skipper," said Ganguly. "But the series is not over yet, it will be better if we go back with a series win."

The West Indies, chasing a victory target of 313, were bowled out for 275 as India recorded their first win in the Caribbean for more than 26 years.

"It's obviously a good feeling," said Ganguly, after his side took a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. "This is the fourth Test we have won abroad in a little over one year, which is very satisfying."

India, who have not won a series outside southern Asia in more than 16 years, won a Test in Sri Lanka last year but lost the series 2-1. They drew a series in Zimbabwe 1-1 and beat Bangladesh in a one-off Test in late 2000.

Ganguly said he was confident India would win once left-arm paceman Ashish Nehra had dismissed dangermen Brian Lara (47) and Carl Hooper (22) in Tuesday's morning session.

"We always had a chance," he said. "We had 312 on the board, they were 131 for two overnight and we knew we had to get Lara to win the Test. Lara and Hooper's wickets were obviously the key."

But the West Indies rallied after losing their two experienced players, Shivnarine Chanderpaul scoring an unbeaten 67 and sharing a 73-run stand for the fifth wicket with fellow left-hander Chris Gayle (52).

"We were a little worried when Chanderpaul and Gayle were batting, but once we got Gayle we were very much on top of the game."

MATTER OF TIME

Chanderpaul finally ran out of partners although he batted for an hour with last man Cameron Cuffy (4).

Ganguly said his players knew it was only a matter of time. "There was no tension in the end. They were still 40 behind and we just required one wicket. Cuffy batted well but it's very difficult to get so many runs with a number 11."

The skipper praised pace bowlers Nehra, Javagal Srinath and Zaheer Khan, who grabbed eight second-innings wickets between them.

"They stuck to a line, looked discipline. Srinath is obviously a class performer every time he walks out to bowl, but Nehra and Zaheer supported him very well."

India had picked Nehra ahead of leg-spinner Anil Kumble, who has taken 318 Test wickets, and chose Harbhajan Singh as the only slow bowler.

"Ultimately, we got the result that we wanted," Indian coach John Wright said.

"We picked three pacemen because I think if we had won the toss, Saurav would have fielded too."

Wright indicated there might be changes in the team for the third Test in Barbados starting on May 2.

"Looking at this Test match, we should see what we can do better," he said. "We will have a look in Barbados and try and pick the right 11."

The biggest area of concern for India is the opening batsmen, with Deep Dasgupta and Sanjay Bangar having both failed to support Shiv Sundar Das in the first two Tests.

"The openers have to realise that if the middle-order has to play the new ball, they're not doing their job," Ganguly said.

"But there's a long way to go in this series. I'm sure we'll manage to sort it out."

India travel to St Lucia on Wednesday for a three-day game which starts on Friday.

Mail Cricket Editor