Can Ashwin Trouble Gayle With New Ball?
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India take on West Indies on Friday and as expected, the centre of focus has been Chris Gayle. After he hammered Zimbabwe to score the fastest double hundred in one day internationals, the primary concern for every team is to stop the big Jamaican from firing. (Ashwin Relishing Prospect of Taking Chris Gayle on )
Against India though, Gayle has not crossed 50 runs in the last 10 ODIs. At Perth too, India would love to keep the big hitting opener in check and according to VVS Laxman, Ravichandran Ashwin should be the man to do the job.
Speaking exclusively to NDTV, Laxman said on Thursday, "Ashwin is looking to take wickets and Gayle has looked under pressure against wickets. Gayle should be targeted. India should put him under pressure early." The former India player also advised MS Dhoni to use Ashwin as his prime weapon. (Virat Kohli Warned by BCCI )
"It would be a good idea to test him with Ashwin's turn early on", said the 39-year-old Laxman, "Ashwin knows Gayle's weaknesses and MS Dhoni should hand him the new ball tomorrow."
Brian Lara, though, didn't agree with Laxman's idea. The former West India great thought that Gayle was too experienced to fall in that trap and knows how to counter Ashwin.
"If I was Gayle, I would welcome Ashwin opening the bowling", said Lara, "Gayle has been susceptible against the swing bowling in the last two game and he would actually like to take on spin early on."
Lara also mentioned that Gayle shouldn't look to take on Ashwin early on because he will have ample time to attack in a 50-over game. Calling him as a veteran, Lara said that Gayle should know the importance of an India game and should play a big part in carving out a victory for the Windies.
A win for India will almost secure the top spot for them in the pool while a win for West Indies will lift them closer to the knockouts.
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