Mumbai: India is all set to take on West Indies in the second semifinal clash of the ICC World Twenty20 here at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday. Keeping apart the head-to-head (Caribbeans’ 2-1 lead) record in the T20 mega event, one batsman makes a huge difference — Chris Gayle.
Gayle’s dismissal early on would be half the job done for any team. Here’s how the talisman could be trapped.
Window 1: The T20 expert takes time to settle, he follows his own model in the shortest format in order to be consistent. Gayle starts off inaudibly taking casual singles before exploiting the field restrictions. This is the best time to dismiss him.
Window 2: The big man gets shaky if bowled quick into his body. Not a bouncer. But balls aimed at the thigh region makes him uncomfortable. Chris Morris and Dirk Nannes succeeded following this pattern in IPL.
Window 3: Stick to classical Test match bowling approach. Gayle could be a massive striker but isn’t a romantic. He isn’t a great fan of cover drive. If one can swing the ball away from him, there are chances of getting a nick.
Window 4: Gayle isn’t comfortable against off spinners. Ravichandran Ashwin got the better of him a few times in IPL. Gayle prefers to go off strike and attack the other bowler whenever an off spinner is brought into the attack.
