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Mumbai: The second World Twenty20 semi-final is likely to hinge on who emerges on top in the battle between the big-hitting West Indian batsmen and India's wily spinners when the former champions clash at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Thursday.
India, the world's top-ranked side in the shortest format, arrived at the sixth edition of the tournament with 10 wins from 11 matches in 2016 and were considered overwhelming favourites by fans, opposing captains and bookmakers alike.
After suffering a disappointing loss to New Zealand in their campaign opener, 2007 inaugural World T20 champions India came back strongly to outclass Pakistan, Bangladesh and Australia to enter the semis in style.
They look favourites to win the Thursday tie to secure a place in the final, scheduled at the Eden Gardens on Sunday.
On the other hand, 2012 winners Windies had three successive wins against England, Sri Lanka and South Africa but suffered a huge blow after losing to minnows Afghanistan in their last group stage match.
But on Thursday, it will be a fresh start for the Darren Sammy-led side.
India on the other hand to miss only in-form batsman after Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh after the left-handed batsman sustained an ankle injury when setting off for a run against Australia at Mohali.
Talented batsman Manish Pandey has been called in as cover for Yuvraj. Ajinkya Rahane, who was warming the bench in the entire tournament, might be the one to fill in Yuvraj's place.
Kohli has come up with consistent scores and match winning knocks. He has scored 184 runs in four matches in the competition.
But the worry for the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led team will be the lack of consistency from openers Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and middle order batsman Suresh Raina.
In terms of bowling line-up, the hosts have fared well in the tournament claiming wickets at regular intervals both at the start and at the death overs.
Leading the pace attack will be veteran Ashish Nehra, who has used his experience to good effect and also mentored young turk Jasprit Bumrah. Spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja will aim to continue their good run.
The West Indies will be without batsman Andre Fletcher, who pulled a right hamstring during the match against Afghanistan, and has been ruled out for play. Chris Gayle has been replace him, to fire for them at the top.
The 36-year-old blasted an unbeaten 100 in just 48 balls to steer his side to a comfortable win against England in their campaign opener here.
Besides Gayle, Johnson Charles, Marlon Samuels and all-rounders Darren Sammy, Dwayne Bravo, Andre Russell and Carlos Brathwaite make them a dangerous unit.
Spinners Samuel Badree and Sulieman Benn, who were handy in the tournament with their variations, will aim to deliver once again for the side.
Teams from
India: MS Dhoni (Capt. & wk), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Manish Pandey, Suresh Raina, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Harbhajan Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Pawan Negi, Ashish Nehra, Hardik Pandya.
West Indies: Darren Sammy (Capt.), Chris Gayle, Johnson Charles, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Bravo, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Andre Russell, Jason Holder, Carlos Brathwaite, Ashley Nurse, Jerome Taylor, Sulieman Benn, Samuel Badree.
Head to head - Twenty20 International Records (Since 2009)
Total Match - 4
West Indies Won - 2
India Won - 2
World T20 Ranking
Match facts
Thursday March 31, 2016 (day/night)
Start time 1900 local (1330 GMT)
