Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Oct 8: Former West Indies captain Richie Richardson has called on the Caribbean team to rediscover their self-belief and mental resilience as they prepare to face India in the second Test at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi starting Friday.

Speaking after West Indies’ crushing innings and 140-run defeat in the first Test at Ahmedabad, Richardson emphasized that talent alone isn't enough to compete at the highest level—confidence and mindset are key.

“I think a lot of it has to do with self-belief,” Richardson told at the Cricket West Indies Golf Day powered by IGPL. “It doesn’t matter how good you are—if you don’t believe in yourself, you’re going to struggle.”

Richardson, who led West Indies during the early '90s, acknowledged the strength of the Indian side but reminded his team that cricket is ultimately a game of application and adaptability.

“India is a tough team with confident players, but it’s still a game of cricket. It’s about how well you analyse situations and apply yourself. Anybody can rise to the occasion if they put their mind to it,” he said.

The former skipper is currently in India as part of promotional efforts supporting the West Indies tour, in collaboration with long-time partner NTMC. Reflecting on the purpose of his visit, Richardson said it’s about giving back to the game and the supporters.

“We’re happy to be here, meeting fans, having a good time, and doing some promotion for our partners. We need to nurture these relationships—they’ve supported us, and now it’s our turn to support them,” he added.

The second Test will be a crucial one for the two-time world champions, who have been struggling for form and consistency for over two decades. As they face a dominant Indian side once again, all eyes will be on whether the West Indies can summon the mental strength Richardson is calling for—and avoid another heavy defeat.