India and West Indies will face off in a three-ODI series starting from Sunday (December 15) in Chennai. Anil Kumble has said it will be a challenge for Indian bowlers to contain big-hitting Caribbean batsmen
Bengaluru: Former captain Anil Kumble has given his views on the upcoming three-ODI series between India and West Indies.
The ‘Men in Blue’ and the visitors will start the 50-over rubber with the opener in Chennai on Sunday (December 15). Virat Kohli and his teammates have already landed in the Tamil Nadu capital.
Also read: India claim T20I series in Mumbai
In the preceding T20I series, India claimed the trophy 2-1 after sealing the decider by 67 runs at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. Kohli won the Man-of-the-series award.
Now, the action shifts to 50 overs. India are the second-ranked ODI team in the world while the West Indies are at ninth.
Speaking to ‘Star Sports’, the host broadcaster of the series, Kumble said Shreyas Iyer should bat at number four and KL Rahul to open in the absence of Shikhar Dhawan.
“With Shikhar (Dhawan) not being there it again gives KL Rahul chance to open the batting. We have seen Shreyas Iyer's quality and he has grown in stature, so I would like him to be at number four,” Kumble said.
The former leg-spinner said Indian bowlers will find it tough against the big-hitting Caribbean batsmen.
“I'd like to see the bowling come through because against West Indies it would be a challenge. They're all powerful hitters. The surfaces are going to be good and so, you would want the bowling to come good,” Kumble, who was recently appointed as the coach of IPL side Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), said.
In place of the injured Dhawan, Indian selectors have called up Mayank Agarwal to the 15-man squad. Agarwal is yet to play ODIs.
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