Injured Gayle hopes to be fit for India Tests

West Indies' swashbuckling opener Chris Gayle is hoping to be fit in time for the Test series against India starting on October 30.

Gayle, who had missed the final Test against Bangladesh earlier this month due to a lower-back injury, will also miss the limited-overs leg of the India tour.

"My recovery has been coming on nicely, and I expect to be fully fit and ready in time for the Test series," Gayle was quoted as saying by the Jamaica Gleaner.

"The injury is the same one that has been affecting my back in recent times, but so far it has been coming on well. I have been able to give it some rest and as each day progresses, it keeps getting better and better," the left-hander added.

Gayle hasn't played competitive cricket since the first Test against Bangladesh earlier this month.

In the home Tests this summer, Gayle made three half-centuries in four games.

One of the most experienced campaigners in the West Indies squad, Gayle has played in 103 Tests, scoring 7,214 runs at an average of 42.

West Indies start their India tour with a five-match ODI series followed by a one-off T20 International and three-Test series to be played in Hyderabad (October 30-November 3), Bangalore (November 7-11) and Ahmedabad (November 15-19).