GROS ISLET: Denesh Ramdin acknowledged that Friday's third One-day International between West Indies and India is crucial.

The West Indies vice-captain is confident his side can rise to the challenge and defeat India in a match that would allow the winner to avoid a series defeat.

"This is a very big weekend for us," said Ramdin. "We squared the series, and it is very important that we win on Friday.

"I'm confident and the team is confident that we can do this," added the West Indies wicketkeeper/batsman.

The four-match series is level 1-1, after India won the high-scoring opening match by 20 runs last Friday at Sabina Park in Jamaica, and West Indies rebounded with a thumping eight-wicket victory two days later at the same venue.

"It is a case of two good teams playing against each other, and we expect two very competitive matches," said Ramdin.

"We have been batting well, and the bowlers did extremely well in the second match. Everyone is doing their part and we believe in ourselves and in each other."

Personally, the second ODI was a memorable match for Ramdin. He became the latest keeper to hold five catches behind the stumps in a ODI.

"I have been working hard, and the hard work has been rewarded," he said.

"It is always good to go out there and get some momentum and I was happy to do the job for the team," he continued.

"The white ball was doing quite a bit and after we picked up early wickets we knew we had a very good chance of winning the match and getting back into the series."

The Beausejour Cricket Ground has hosted 17 ODIs - including seven matches in the 2007 World Cup - since its inauguration seven years ago.

West Indies have won five of the matches they have contested at the ground, and one has finished in a no-result.