JOIN USAhead of their Group 1 tie here on Sunday, it is interesting to look at the rivalry between West Indies and Sri Lanka.
West Indies won their maiden World T20 title in 2012 defeating Sri Lanka in the summit clash. But the islanders made amends in the very next edition, overhauling the Caribbeans in the semifinals en route their title winning show.
West Indies skipper Darren Sammy though clarified that there is no revenge on their minds, as both the teams get set for another battle on the world stage.
“I wouldn’t say it is revenge. If this match was the final then we could think on those lines but it is a group game and we have a long way to go. It is an important game and we are playing a good opposition. We respect them a lot and we have had great games between us. Tomorrow, we hope it is a good game,” Sammy said here at a press conference on Saturday.
History favours the Lankans as they have scripted six wins out of the eight T20Is against West Indies. But Sammy doesn’t believe in pondering too much into the past. “Among all the matches played between us, we won the most important one — the World T20 final in 2012, simple,” Sammy offered.
The Bengaluru wicket, known to assist the batsmen, has produced some high scoring games and Sammy believes the surface for Sunday’s game will offer nothing different. “It looks like a good surface, the typical Bengaluru one. And this is home for Chris Gayle so we are all excited about it. At the same time, this game is important for us in the context of how the group is placed. Before we came here, our coach mentioned that we need to look at every game as a final and we want to keep winning,” he said.
West Indies were clinical in their pursuit of a daunting target against England in their opening game but Sammy said that his team is also capable of defending a strong total, if the situation demands. “It is more about the surface.
“New Zealand were able to defend low totals on turning tracks. And in India, dew is a big factor. We don’t have control over the toss. At the end of the day, whatever decision we take and whatever we are asked to do, we just have to do that well.”