Caribbean cricket looks to be in the doldrums currently, but former captain Brian Lara stayed optimistic ahead of the West Indies’ Test series against India.

Lara, who is also the team’s performance mentor, believes that his players are moving in the “right direction” and hoped some of them will grab the opportunity and produce the goods against a formidable Indian side in the two-Test series.

India will begin their Test campaign on July 12 in Dominica, with the second one to be played in Port of Spain from July 20. The Test series will be followed by three ODIs and five T20Is.

“We have two very important Test matches which start the two-year cycle (World Test Championship) for us, it is against India. At home and away from home, they (India) are one of the top teams in the world,” said Lara.

Shubman Gill (left) and Ishan Kishan enjoy their time in the Caribbean. Gill tweeted the picture with the caption, “Certified sushi lover”. Twitter

“I think the guys are moving in the right direction, in terms of where we started the camp and where we are... Just a few days off from the first match at Dominica, but it’s a young group, ably led by Kraigg Brathwaite. But I feel that some of the guys can come into their own in this series, it is a tough opposition, but I feel that’s the way we can get the best out of them.”

The Windies finished at the eighth spot with just four wins and seven losses in the last World Test Championship. The Caribbean team has also failed to qualify for the upcoming 50-over World Cup in India.

The West Indies have named two uncapped left-handed batters — Kirk McKenzie and Alick Athanaze — in their squad for the upcoming series.

The 53-year-old batting great, who was the head coach of the Sunrisers Hyderabad during the IPL this year, said the two youngsters have the right attitude and willingness to learn. “Capable players, young... of course, you would have loved if they had a lot more experience in the first-class arena, but looking at their style of play and attitude, I believe they do have what it takes to perform at the highest level,” he said.

With inputs from PTI