Bowling against West Indies would be a challenge for India, reckons Anil Kumble

Ahead of the ODI series against West Indies, former India captain and coach Anil Kumble has cautioned India’s bowlers to come up with good effort in the series. Kumble’s comment came just days after West Indies batsmen’s impressive batting display in the recently-concluded T20I series. West Indies did lose the series 2-1.

In the first game of the series, West Indies posted a mammoth total of 207 although they ended up losing the game. In the second game, the visitors chased down 170 with utmost ease, registering an eight-wicket win to draw level in the series. In the third game too, they posted 173 although it was too less than their target of 241.

Beware of hard-hitters: Anil Kumble

High flying India will be the favourites to win the ODI series too. But ahead of the series, Anil Kumble has warned them. The legendary spinner has warned the hosts to be beware of the hard-hitting ability of the West Indies batters. He opined that the combination of West Indies’ power-hitters and the good surfaces will make things tough for Indian bowlers.

“I’d like to see the bowling come through because, against West Indies, it would yet be a challenge. They’re all-powerful hitters and it is going to be good surfaces and hence, you would want the bowling to come good,” Kumble said while speaking at Star Sports’ show.

He further opined that Team India should stick with Shreyas Iyer at the number four spot. Iyer has done really well at that position since being recalled into the ODI team during the tour of West Indies right after the World Cup. In two matches in the Caribbean, he scored 71 and 69 although he batted at number five as India tried out Rishabh Pant at number four.

“We have seen Shreyas Iyer’s quality and he has grown in stature so I would like him to be at number four,” he said.

Iyer, meanwhile, also impressed during the three-match T20I series against Bangladesh, helping India win the series 2-1. In those three matches, he played knocks of 22, 24* and 62 respectively.

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