FLORIDA, USA (CMC) — West Indies batsman Kieran Powell says he is anxious to partner with veteran Shiv Chanderpaul for a significant milestone in his Test playing career when the series against India gets under way next month.

Chanderpaul will be playing his 150th Test in Mumbai and Powell is predicting that the Guyana cricketer will be the crucial element in gluing the batsmen together.

“I can’t wait to bat with Shiv (Chanderpaul) and I hope we both have wonderful tours and rack up a few centuries,” said Powell.

“It’s always a pleasure to bat with and learn from Shiv. His 150th match is a great achievement and as a batsman, he’s one of the best to take notes from. He is critical to our motives in India.”

The West Indies will play two Tests and three ODI games in India, commencing with the first Test on November 6 in Kolkata.

The second Test will be Sachin Tendulkar’s farewell match and will be played in Mumbai November 14-18.

“India is a difficult place to bat but it’s good once you can utilise the conditions there. It’s about adapting quickly. The upcoming tour is much different to the first time I toured India because now I have more experience,” said Powell, who led the A team tour of India last month.

“I made 80 last time I was on the Mumbai pitch and it’s a lot of good memories. It’s a wonderful place to bat and it’s extra special with Sachin’s (Tendulkar) farewell. The pitch can be a bit flat but mostly, it’s batsman friendly.”

Powell believes as well that his experience and maturity as a batsman will be a key factor in the upcoming tour.

The opening batsman, who made 61 from three innings during West Indies A’s recent tour of India, said that despite the difficult conditions in the subcontinent, West Indies team has the ability to adapt.

“I also had more responsibility playing and leading the A team here last month (in the limited-overs games) and seeing that the pitches had more grass, I think I know what to expect,” said Powell.