West Indian captain Brian Lara rated his team as a better one-day outfit than India but admitted that Sachin Tendulkar's presence would have made a big difference.
"I think the West Indies team is a better one-day team than this Indian side. But the absence of Sachin Tendulkar was the key," Lara said basking in glory after his side triumphed for the fourth straight time over India at the Queen's Park Oval on Sunday.
"Sachin Tendulkar is a major factor in Indian cricket, take it or leave it. He can make a big difference in any series. Just look at the ICC Super Series, we lost all the one-day matches as well as Tests because he was not there.
"When you miss someone who has played over 300 one-day internationals, the best batsman in the world, a vital spoke in the wheel, it is tough.
"But we are happy that we've won and India has got to go back to the drawing board and rearrange things."
Lara said it felt great that his side had put it across a team which is better than New Zealand and Zimbabwe, two sides it has beaten in recent past.
"We've got bigger fish to fry and we did well. Greg (Chappell) statement gave us a big fillip. I spoke to the boys after the game in Jamaica and said how can we lose a game by one ball and not win the next one.
"It worked. We improved game by game, evident from the transformation of guys like Fidel Edwards, who bowled here excellently on Friday.
"Maybe, the Indians were a little tired as (Virender) Sehwag put it. Let's hope they come out rejuvenated on Friday (for the Test series)," Lara said.
The star batsman cautioned his side not to take the Indians lightly for the forthcoming Test series.
"We have played five days of cricket against India. But now 20 days of cricket, four Test matches and I am sure the guys know that is the ultimate. We're gonna enjoy this but we know how important the next month and a half is.
"Test cricket is the true Test of character. This is not playing at your best on that day but about who plays best over 15 sessions of cricket."
Ramnaresh Sarwan, who was named man-of-the-series, hoped to take the good form into the Test series and be more consistent about his performance.
"Test matches are totally different kind of format. There are more attacking fields and your shot selection has to be spot on. At the end of my career, I want to be remembered as a great cricketer, somebody like Tendulkar, Lara, Ricky Ponting or Rahul Dravid.
"In order to be considered great cricketer, I have to be consistent in different conditions. I am always trying to work on my batting and hope to have at least six or seven more years of international cricket."
Sarwan, touted as the next captain after Lara, termed the latter as an inspirational figure in the dressing room.
Lara's role has been outstanding. He has made younger players come out and give suggestions.
"The atmosphere in team meeting is very open and I think that's one of the main reasons why this team is performing."
