KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP)

India enter the one-day international cricket series against West Indies knowing recent history suggests the low-ranked home side will be no pushover.

West Indies, ranked No. 8, whipped third-ranked India in this month's World Twenty20 in England to help consign the defending champion to an embarrassing early exit. Arch-rivals Pakistan went on to victory.

The first of four one-dayers begins today at Sabina Park.

troubled memories

India also have troubled memories of their most recent trips to the Caribbean for one-dayers.

Two years ago, India crashed out of the World Cup in the first week after losses to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. A year before, a star-studded India 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 the team's good progress in the 50-over version of the game.

"Of course, it is not an easy thing to forget, especially that 2007 World Cup," Dhoni said yesterday. "It is always tough to forget that kind of tournament. It will be important for us to do well here."

India's last series in this format was in March when they brushed aside New Zealand 3-1 away from home. They have lost only three of their last 19 ODIs dating to August, a streak which has thrust it to third, just a fraction behind Australia in the ratings.

A 4-0 clean sweep would propel India past the world champion 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).

"Injuries are never good when it comes to your key players," Dhoni said. "But now that it has happened, the only good thing is it gives a chance to see the bench's strength."

It puts an even heavier burden on Dhoni, the world's No.1-rated batsman, and left-handers Gautam Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh.