BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) — Darren Sammy made it clear that there was only one way for West Indies to win the second Test against India starting today at Kensington Oval and level the three-Test series.

The West Indies captain said his side would have to bat their way out of the trouble, following their 63-run defeat inside four days in the first Test that ended last Thursday at Sabina Park in Jamaica.

“We need to bat properly,” he said. “We cannot fault the bowlers for bowling India out twice for under 260.

“The thing we did wrong (in the first Test) was not put runs on the boards. For us to win, our batsmen need to come to the party.”

To help Sammy and his side accomplish this, West Indies have turned to a familiar source for inspiration, and for the players to work through the mental meltdowns that have eroded their confidence, particularly the batting.

World-famous sports psychologist Rudi Webster was contracted for the duration of the Test, and Sammy hoped that his influence could help spark a revival of self-belief among the players.

“He is just here trying to help restore the confidence of the players, mainly our batsmen, and the guys will have to open their minds to take in what he is bringing to the table,” he said.

Sammy also took personal responsibility for his own failures with the bat, which has not helped to engender a level of confidence in his side.

He gave a hint that he may be emerging from his cocoon, bringing the Kingston crowd alive with 25 in the second innings in the first Test, striking three towering sixes in succession of Harbhajan Singh.

“I have to bat as well, and for me, personally, it’s about going out there and doing whatever it takes for the team to win and be in a good position,” he said.

In the first Test, West Indies seemed to have India on the ropes at two critical junctures. The visitors had slumped to 85 for six in the first innings, but still reached 246, and in the second innings, they were 183 for eight, and recovered to make 252, leaving West Indies to chase 325.

In one way, history favours India, and in another, it also does not favour them doing well in this Test.

India will take comfort in the knowledge that Kensington Oval, once a fortress for West Indies, has become a jinx for them.

The hosts have lost six of the eight Tests they have contested at “the Mecca” since beating the visitors by 10 wickets nine years ago.

But India have an unflattering record at the ground, losing all but one of the eight matches they have played over the years.

Both sides are likely to make only one change. For West Indies, Marlon Samuels will replace Brendan Nash, and for India, medium-fast bowler Munaf Patel will swap places leg-spinner Amit Mishra.