"It's a shame that we've come to this level," said Hooper, whose side have lost a series to India for the first time in 23 years.

The tourists lost the opening Test in Bombay by an even heavier margin of an innings and 112.

"There are no excuses," said Hooper. "We're just not playing good cricket."

The West Indies captain masterminded a series win against India on home soil last term.

And he was mystified that things had gone so wrong this time around.

"There was no problem with the pitch because we've played on much more difficult wickets in India," he said.

The West Indies have yet to win a Test in the sub-continent under Hooper's captaincy.

They lost 2-0 to Pakistan in Sharjah and 3-0 in Sri Lanka last year.

Hooper was particularly concerned by his team's fielding.

"We dropped at least 12 catches in two Tests," he noted, before adding: "You're always going to struggle after conceding a 150-run lead."

Harbhajan Singh, who has picked up a total of 15 wickets in the two Tests to date, said he felt he was maturing and becoming more confident as a bowler.

Still only 22, he said: "I feel I can get wickets on any track."

He had picked up 15 wickets for 217 when he played in Madras early last year to bowl India to a stunning 2-1 Test series win.

"It's a lucky ground, against Australia also I had a good performance," he said.

Pacemen Zaheer Khan and Javagal Srinath also bowled well.

"I am very happy the way our fast bowlers bowled on a pitch which wasn't particularly helpful to them," said captain Sourav Ganguly.

"Zaheer bowled with a lot of heart and showed the experience he has gained."

Zaheer has been rested from the squad for the final Test in Calcutta, with Ajit Agarkar replacing him.

Agarkar and Ashish Nehra could be fighting it out for the final place in the starting eleven.

India squad for final Test: Sourav Ganguly (captain), Sanjay Bangar, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Parthiv Patel (wk), Ajit Agarkar, Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Javagal Srinath, Ashish Nehra, Amit Mishra, Shiv Sundar Das.