ST. LUCIA: 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.