Gayle pins hopes on Taylor

Jerome Taylor will shoulder the new-ball burden in the absence of Fidel Edwards

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West Indies captain Chris Gayle expects fast bowler Jerome Taylor to play a key role in the one-day series against India, which gets under way in Jamaica tomorrow.

Taylor’s new-ball colleague Fidel Edwards does not feature in the West Indies' 13-man squad due to a back injury, and Gayle believes Taylor's performance could be the key to toppling a formidable India top order.

"I hope Jerome can be strong for us in this series. He has a big part to play," said Gayle ahead of the match at Sabina Park.

"It is never a walkover against India. There are a lot of guys there to give us a lot of trouble, so we just have to stick to the gameplan and make it a successful one."

West Indies are on a high after recovering from their Test and one-day thumping at the hands of England to reach the semi-finals of the ICC World Twenty20.

Their run to the final four, which featured wins against India, Australia and England, has left Taylor in bullish mood leading up to the one-day campaign.

But he admits he is relieved to discover the opposition will be without the experienced Sachin Tendulkar, who is being rested, and shoulder injury victim Virender Sehwag.

"Tendulkar and Sehwag are world-class players, and [their absence] would ease the pressure somewhat," said Taylor.

"But we won't take anything for granted. We are going out there to give the best of ourselves and to make the Caribbean proud.

"You have quality players in the India team. You have to go out on the park, keep a cool head and give the best of yourself."

Taylor will be joined in the bowling department by fellow seamers Ravi Rampaul and Lionel Baker - along with left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn and all-rounders Dwayne Bravo and Dave Bernard.

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has called on his team not to hide injuries from the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

It has been reported the likes of Sehwag, Zaheer, RP Singh and Yuvraj Singh were selected for the World Twenty20 despite apparent injury concerns.

"For me, it's the team first and then the individual - and I hope it's the same with everyone else in the group," said Dhoni, whose team exited the competition at the Super Eights stage.

"If rest is the cure for an injury, a cricketer ought to opt for it rather than let fatigue or niggles become a major setback to the team and to himself.

"If anyone wants to take a break from the game, please inform me or the BCCI."

India's selectors have made changes following the World Twenty20 disappointment, bringing in rookie Abhishek Nayar, Dinesh Karthik and Subramaniam Badrinath.

Left-arm seamer Ashish Nehra has also earned a recall after almost four years in the international wilderness.

The opening match of the series is followed by a second ODI on the same ground two days later. The series then moves to St Lucia for two matches on July 3 and 5.