Law: Windies must brace for India backlash

India will be looking to rebound after being crushed by perennial rivals Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy final last Sunday.

Law is expecting India to come out eager for victory to appease their cricket-mad fans still angry and disappointed in their Champions Trophy performance.

“They will be hurting, they went through the (Champions Trophy) tournament playing great cricket but they were undone by Pakistan on the day. The guy that leads them Virat Kohli, is a very passionate Indian and he loves to see his team having success. He will be driving them a lot harder during this series which we got to be ready for,” Law said.

West Indies lost to Pakistan 2-1 in a 50-over series earlier this year, and Law believes the regional side is close to competing with and beating the best teams in the world.

“Pakistan are now the Champions Trophy world champions.

We pushed them in a number of games, we beat them in a game; we are not too far from competing with those guys. It is just consistently (competing) on a day in, day out basis. India provides a great challenge not only for the West Indies, but any other team playing against them in this day and age. Looking forward to hosting them here,” he said.

West Indies have named the uncapped medium pacer Kesrick Williams in the squad, but the regional team will be without fast bowler Shannon Gabriel due to injury. Law said missing Gabriel will be a huge blow.

“It is a huge (loss), he has been an integral part of our success that we have had. He has been bowling beautifully as well, it is a shame the big man is not available.

We have very important tours coming up, this (series) is very important as well to us.

With England coming up, a Test tour over there, it will be nice to have him fully fit for the remainder of this series and also that Test series. A big loss but an opportunity for someone else.” Law said the batsmen must start producing because the bowlers have been holding their own.