All eyes 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.