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India versus West Indies -- The ICC World Cup 2015 couldn't have chosen a more colourful match to be played on the occasion of 'Holi'. The last series between these two teams screeched to an unfortunate halt after Dwayne Bravo and his men pulled out of the series owing to disputes on payments. It sparked a conflict between the Boards and things turned sour. (Virat Kohli Controversy )
There might still be awkwardness between the Boards but this tie between India and West Indies, is between friends. Most of the West Indian players are an integral part of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and would be facing up to most of their team mates. While Jason Holder and Dwayne Smith know Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni up-close, Virat Kohli is a close 'buddy' of Chris Gayle.
However, there's one battle that isn't going to be very friendly -- Chris Gayle versus Ravichandran Ashwin. This duo shares a bit of an history. They play for arch-rivals in the IPL and Gayle have struggled to get the better of Ashwin and has fallen to the tall off-spinner on more than one occasion. Not only in the IPL, even in the international games, Gayle's record against Ashwin has been dodgy. (Ashwin Relishing Prospect of Taking Gayle on )
However, all that record and stats are in the sub-continent where MS Dhoni often throws the new ball to his trusted spinner from Tamil Nadu. Ashwin too, loves a good fight and has rose to the challenge more often than not. The story is a little different overseas. Dhoni has very rarely gone to Ashwin to open the innings on foreign territory.
Friday, Dhoni might.
The Indian pace bowling has been remarkably consistent in this World Cup but for the Windies game, Dhoni might just be enticed to hand the new ball to his CSK tweaker. Gayle is often lazy in the initial phase of his innings. He takes his time in the beginning and relies on minimal footwork. The Indian pace bowling might just give him that luxury. The pace of Mohammad Shami and Umesh Yadav would help him to settle in and might just set him up to launch an attack on the spinners later on. (Virat Kohli Warned by BCCI for Abusive Behaviour )
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Bowling Ashwin up-front might force him to play differently. The lack of pace from a spinner will be a factor and the ball turning away from the batsman would definitely cause some discomfort. However, the biggest weapon for Ashwin on the WACA track would be the bounce.
Ashwin ripped apart UAE in the last game. The UAE batsmen were bamboozled with his immaculate line and the extra bounce from the track resulted in their downfall. If Ashwin is handed the new ball, a new Kookaburra with a proud seam will only add to his arsenal.
Even Ashwin has acknowledged that fact.
"The bounce is one of my biggest advantages here," Ashwin admitted. Interestingly, both his Man-of-the-Match awards in Australia have come at the WACA in Perth.
Moreover, Ashwin loves a good fight. Although, he might be a spinner, he has the temperament of a fast bowler.
"I like challenging attacking players like Gayle", said the Indian off-spinner, "Anybody who attacks wants to put you off your hook. It's similar. I'm content to look at the wicket and I go strongly for getting wickets off any batsman that I think is dangerous, because I like it."
India have been clinical so far, unbeaten and on a roll. Much were talked about the team selection and their poor form before the World Cup but Dhoni and his men have turned out as a compact and a hungry unit. West Indies, on the other hand, have blown hot and cold. They have won two and lost two. While they have convincingly handed defeats to Zimbabwe and Pakistan, Ireland and South Africa have go the better of them.
It's an important tie for both the teams. For India, a win consolidates their perch at the top of the table. For the Windies, a win will lift them nearer to the knockouts. India look to maintain their unbeaten run while West Indies are out to spoil their party. Will India be caught in a Gayle-storm? Or will Windies lose their way against R. Ashwin?
Whichever way it might go, Perth is ready for a box-office showdown between Gayle's brute force against the guile of Ashwin.
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