adminMUMBAI. — Chris Gayle is determined to grab the World Twenty20 cricket limelight back from in-form Virat Kohli when the West Indies and India clash in a mouthwatering semi-final in Mumbai today.
The destructive opener smashed an unbeaten century, which included 11 sixes, in the West Indies’ opening win against England but has only batted once since, making just four.
Kohli has been the star of the tournament so far, expertly guiding India through the group stages with a half-century against Pakistan and 82 not out in a crunch win over Australia.
With the flat wicket at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium a dream for batsmen, the last-four showdown between the hosts and 2012 champions is set to be a battle of the big-hitters.
“I am looking to show what Chris Gayle is,” Gayle warned ominously on Tuesday.
“I have only batted twice but this (semi-final) is a perfect opportunity to actually start the tournament and try and pick up where I left off, get a big one for the team and put them in a winning position,” he added.
The 36-year-old described Kohli, who is the top run-scorer left in the tournament with 184, as a “world beater” but insisted neither he nor the West Indies were concerned about individual players.
“Chris Gayle will always be positive. It does not matter which bowler is bowling against Chris Gayle,” he said.
“Chris Gayle would attack. That’s the nature of T20 cricket. And that’s the nature of Chris Gayle.
“No names, just cricket ball, beat it as hard as possible,” Gayle added.
India’s coach Ravi Shastri said his bowlers were aware of the danger posed by Gayle but were determined to tame him.
“Bring it on. All our bowlers will target him,” said Shastri in his eve-of-match press conference.
The former Indian all-rounder said Kohli was on his way to proving himself as one of the greats of the game after a lull in form.
“You have to give him the credit for really believing that he can be right up there with the best and for putting in the hard yards because let me tell you know one trains harder than Virat,” said Shastri. Credit must be given to him for putting in that much of hard work and believing in his own ability.”
India are looking to take another step on their quest to become the first team to win the World T20 twice, after their triumph in the inaugural 2007 edition, and the first on home soil.
They are also bidding to give inspirational 34-year-old captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni – who is thought to be close to announcing his retirement – the chance to out on a high. India were stunned by New Zealand in their first match but picked up three straight wins to qualify second from Group Two.
By contrast, the Windies won their opening three games to top Group One before being shocked by minnows Afghanistan. — AFP.
Online Reporter