Hopes high for India in Twenty20 semis today

Mangalore Today News Network

Mar 31, 2016: India’s top order batsmen have not performed well enough at the World Twenty20, with the exception of Virat Kohli, and must improve against a dangerous West Indies side in Thursday’s (March 31) semi-final, team director Ravi Shastri said.

 

"You need it (a performance) in a big game like the semi-finals," Shastri told reporters on Wednesday. "I still believe we have played to 70 percent of our ability in this tournament so there’s 30 percent where we can improve.

"So let’s hope it happens tomorrow because in a semi-final you have to get your ’A’ game."

Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma have failed to build a solid foundation for India and their opening stands of five, 14, 42 and 23 have put pressure on the middle and lower order to provide the bulk of the scoring.

Left-hander Suresh Raina’s scores of one, zero, 30 and 10 have not been that helpful either, and calls for the number four batsman’s omission from the team have gained momentum.

Kohli has scored most of the runs for the world’s top-ranked team, with two half-centuries in the tournament, and almost single-handedly guided India to victory in their steep run chase against 50-overs champions Australia on Sunday.

"You can’t depend on one or two players, you need six to seven players to step up. It has not happened really in this tournament, let’s hope tomorrow it’s a start."

West Indies, the 2012 champions, boast powerful hitters who can clear the relatively shorter boundaries at the Wankhede Stadium, including opener Chris Gayle who smashed 11 sixes and five boundaries in an unbeaten 100 in their win against England.

The pitch again offered no help to the bowlers when England chased down a 230-run target against South Africa but Shastri said India will be ready for their Caribbean opponents.

"They are one of the most dangerous sides in this format," the former India all-rounder said. "They have got explosive players. They have got match winners. So we know what we are up against. But we are up and ready as well."
Focus on Kohli, Gayle in second semis :  Chris Gayle doesn’t want Virat Kohli to score many runs, but even if he does they should come in a losing cause.  The packed Wankhede stadium on Thursday will be hoping for the same - Chris Gayle to fire but West Indies to lose.   As batsmen, Gayle and Kohli, who both play for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League, are as different as chalk is from cheese. Where Gayle bludgeons the ball into the night sky, Kohli caresses it to the fence.

Their methods of gathering runs may be different, but they are a treat to watch when on song. If Gayle inspires awe with his power hitting, Kohli provides pure joy with his orthodox stroke-play. Needless to say, the two will be key to their teams’ prospects when India and West Indies face-off against each other in the second semifinal of the World T20.

India and West Indies have taken contrasting routes to the semifinal. While the hosts managed to advance after three nervy runs, West Indies were the first to book their place in the last four from Group 1 following three straight wins. India’s defeat to New Zealand on Nagpur turner was humbling while West Indies’ loss to Afghanistan in the inconsequential match was a wakeup call.

India have their concerns; openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan have gone cold at the top of the order. The zing in Suresh Raina’s batting is missing while Yuvraj Singh has been ruled out. Traditionally known for their batting, India have rode on their attack which has done exceedingly well.   West Indies have managed to unearth heroes in each of their wins.