Anil Kumble is positive about Team India’s chances in the upcoming T20 series

Head coach Anil Kumble is confident about Team India’s chances in the two-match T20 series against the West Indies. Even though he admitted that it will not be easy for the ‘Men in Blue’, he thinks that the Indian players can successfully take the giant stride from Test cricket to the shortest format of the game.

Addressing the media, Kumble said, “It is a mindset change and not easy to switch your focus from playing a Test series and coming into a T20 mode. Both bowlers and batsmen need to make adjustments. It is not easy, but all of us are professionals and they have played enough T20 cricket to adjust. It is more in the mind.”

The fact that India are ahead of West Indies in the T20 standings puts pressure on Kumble’s wards. Barring the semi-final defeat it the ICC World T20 in 2016, India have performed good in the T20Is played this year.

Kumble refused to give too much importance to the rankings.

“The rankings are on everyone’s mind and we keep hearing about it where you’re in terms of standings. But the critical point is you (have to) play some good cricket. Yes, the Test series victory was very good.”

“Even if you look at India’s T20 record over the past six months, it has been pretty impressive, and that is something we would like to take forward in these games as well.”

“West Indies are always a tough side and they are the World T20 champions. Also, some of the West Indian players needn’t have to make the switch from Tests to T20s as they are coming straight out of the CPL.”

“They are a quality side, and we had a tough match against them in the semifinal of the World T20. So, we are going to encounter a quality side and we are aware of that. It is going to be a challenge,” he added.