Bishoo not unhappy with team balance

Devendra Bishoo, the West Indies legspinner who took three wickets on day one of the Antigua Test, feels West Indies are still in a competitive position despite India going to stumps on 302 for 4.

"No, I don't think we are under any pressure at all," Bishoo said at the end of the day's play. "The game could change just like that. It was a tough day for us, but you never know. Tomorrow morning we're going to come and put the work in."

West Indies went into the match with a long batting line-up, with allrounders Carlos Brathwaite and Jason Holder slotting in at No. 8 and No. 9, but that meant they only had one genuine fast bowler, Shannon Gabriel, in their attack. Bishoo did not agree with the idea that West Indies may have missed having an extra frontline bowler.

"No, no, no. At the end of day, whatever team we have to play with as a team, we have to play," he said. "We support each other and give our 100%. I'm not going to put anything on anybody. To play good cricket, bowlers have to do their job and batsmen have to do theirs."

The bowlers, he felt, could have done a better job overall, on a good pitch to bat on. West Indies kept India to 72 for 1 in the first session, but could not maintain their stifling lines and lengths as the day wore on.

"Yeah, we could have been in a better position probably." Bishoo said. "At the end of the day, it's a good pitch and the Indian batsmen kept relishing it. We just didn't put the ball in the areas as much, but we bowled good in patches.

"I think Shannon bowled really good upfront today and he started off very, very well. He bowled with great pace. The rest of the bowlers, as I said, bowled well in patches. We need to be a bit more patient because the wicket is good."

Making his debut for West Indies, allrounder Roston Chase sent down 17 overs on the first day, the joint-most for West Indies behind Bishoo's 27. Bishoo said he wasn't surprised that Chase got the ball ahead of him.

"Chase and me are different bowlers and the ball was newer. It was ideal to go with him first. I have got no problem with that," Bishoo said. "He's more of a part-time offspinner. But he's going to be bowling a lot of overs. He's more like a batting allrounder, but he's a very good bowler."