Anil Kumble’s West Indies tour starts on a rough note
Dec 31, 2018 at 1:56 PM
New head coach Anil Kumble’s first tour with the Indian team didn’t start on a high note as the former Test cricketer had to land in West Indies with his kit bag left behind at the Gatwick Airport by the British Airways.
The airline company, however, was quick to acknowledge the mistake and also issued an apology to India’s most successful bowler on Twitter.
@anilkumble1074 We’re sorry your bags are ‘not out’ to St Kitts! They have been ‘caught behind’ your flight from Gatwick. We are looking 1/2
— British Airways (@British_Airways) July 6, 2016
@anilkumble1074 to ‘bowl’ you over with our service recovery. 2/2
— British Airways (@British_Airways) July 6, 2016
India reached St Kitts on Thursday for two warm-up games before the Tests begin in Antigua, on July 21.
This is not the first time British Airways has messed up with passenger luggage. On the receiving end, last year was none other than Sachin Tendulkar.
This series would be Kumble’s first assignment as the chief coach of the team and Virat Kohli’s first tour to the Caribbean as Test captain.
India will play a couple of warm-up matches against West Indies Cricket Board President’s XI on July 9-10 and July 14-16 at Warner Park, Basseterre here.
The series comprises four Tests starting with the opening match at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua from July 21 to 25, followed by 2nd Test at Kingston from July 30 to Aug 3, 3rd Test at Gros Islet from Aug 9 to 13 and fourth Test at Trinidad on Aug 18 to 22.
The Indian squad, besides Kohli, comprises Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, K.L. Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Amit Mishra, Ravindra Jadeja, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Shardul Thakur and Stuart Binny.
India and West Indies had their first Tests clash in 1948. They have met on 90 occasions, with West Indies winning 30 to India’s 16 and the rest being drawn.
The current Indian team has the perfect balance both in batting and bowling to beat West Indies on their own soil. Vijay, at the top of the order, is in form. The only concern for Kohli will be the other opener. Dhawan who has not been in good form might open the innings with Vijay. If Kohli’s feels the other way, Rahul, who made a scintillating century against the Australians might open with Vijay.