Dwayne Bravo, in New Delhi, on Tuesday

New Delhi: The West Indies squad may have been depleted owing to a couple of injuries, but the team from the Caribbean still has enough punch, thanks to some world-class all-rounders, felt team’s vice-captain Dwayne Bravo.

“We have got (several) all-rounders in our team. I think this is going to be very important in the subcontinent where all-round abilities will be play a big part,” Bravo said after the Windies’ practice session at the Kotla on Tuesday.

“The conditions here are familiar to what we have in West Indies. I think that is the advantage we have,” he added.

“We have got five to six players in our current World Cup squad who took part in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and are still associated with it. They know the subcontinental conditions, so that exposure will come into play here in India,” Bravo said.

West Indies begin their Group ‘B’ campaign against South Africa, on Thursday, and according to Bravo, even if half the all-rounders strike form, it would be enough to win any match.

“We have our captain Darren Sammy, (Kieron) Pollard, myself and Chris Gayle and they are all top quality all-rounders,” he said.

“I think on any given day, if two of us out of the four have a good game, West Indies will be in a good position to win.”

Asked to comment on the Indian team, Bravo said the Indians were unlucky to be knocked out in the first round in the 2007 World Cup in West Indies.

“This time they have a good chance just as any other team. In 2007, they were one of the favourites, but unfortunately got knocked out early. This time the tournament is wide open and we are going to make it a different competition.

“We have to get off with a win and gain momentum. We do not want to be in the middle of the tournament and play catch up,” Bravo said. “Every game we play will be very important. I have no doubt in mind that we will qualify for the second round and then take it from there.”

Reminded that West Indies lost to South Africa last June, Bravo said: “We lost the series 5-0, but it could easily have gone 4-1 in West Indies’ favour because we made some simple mistakes. Once we identify those situations and work on them, we can improve in this tournament.”

The West Indies will have their task cut out against an in-form South Africa.

Bravo felt the team would require a good start against the Proteas, who have one the most balanced squads in the tournament.

“South Africa is tough, well-balanced and a professional team. It’s the team, which I look up to and love to play against. Lot of my good performances have come against South Africa. Our guys are looking forward to the match.

“A lot will depend on the kind of start we get. It’s important to preserve wickets for the middle-overs. South Africans have got a bad history as far as World Cup is concerned but still they are very good team. We can’t take them lightly,” he said.

Speaking on the injury issues in the squad, Bravo said: “We lost our first choice keeper Carlton (Baugh) and batsman (Adrian) Barath due to injuries. It came hard on us. Injuries always happen and one can’t help it. But we have to look at new situations and think how to come up with a good show.

“Youngsters can fill the shoes of other players. They have got the big stage set for themselves. We have got some excited young players who are eager to perform. They just can’t wait for Thursday to come,” the Windies all-rounder said.

West Indies shocked South Africa in the 1996 World Cup quarterfinals and have done so twice in the Champions Trophy, but Bravo said that’s history.

“We are not thinking our past record or history,” he said.