Kingston, Jamaica, June 25: India enter Friday’s four-match one-day international series against the West Indies with a vast gulf between the sides in the International Cricket Council rankings but knowing fully well that recent history suggests the home side will be no pushovers. The West Indies, ranked No. 8, whipped third-ranked India in the recently concluded World Twenty20 championships in England to help consign the defending champions to an embarrassing early exit as archrivals Pakistan stole the glory.

The visitors also have troubled memories of their most recent journeys to the Caribbean for one-day matches. Two years ago, their World Cup dream turned into a nightmare as they crashed out in the first round of the tournament after losses to Asian neighbors Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

A year previously, in 2006, a star-studded Indian side were brushed aside 4-1 by the home team. India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is keen to shake off the disappointment of the sobering Twenty20 campaign and continue India’s good progress in the 50-over version of the game. India’s last series in this format was way back in March when they brushed aside New Zealand 3-1 away from home.

They have only lost three of their last 19 one-day matches dating back to last August, a streak which has thrust them to third spot, just a fraction behind Australia in the ratings.

A 4-0 clean sweep here would propel India past the world champions into second behind South Africa. That task is made more difficult by the lengthy injury list that has robbed the tourists of their most potent batsmen, in Virender Sehwag (shoulder) and Sachin Tendulkar (finger), and bowler Zaheer Khan (shoulder). They put an even heavier burden on Dhoni, the world’s No.1-rated batsman, and left-handers Gautam Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh. But it does offer opportunities for the younger brigade, led by Rohit Sharma and including uncapped Murali Vijay, and the recalled left-arm pacers R.P. Singh and Ashish Nehra. Dhoni, who has vowed to bring cheer back to the Indian fans, has already made it clear to the opposition that his team were not short on confidence. "When it comes to playing for your country you don’t really need motivation to go out and perform," Dhoni had said on arrival in the Caribbean. He also warned the hosts against relying on the Twenty20 form, saying the 50-over format was a different ball game altogether.

— AP