In the 34th match of the ICC World Cup 2019, the No. 1 ranked ICC ODI team India will face the Windies at the Old Trafford on Thursday (June 27). Meanwhile, explosive opening batsman Chris Gayle is upbeat to face the Virat Kohli-led side, and in particular the ace bowler, Jasprit Bumrah.
On the eve of India-Windies clash, the burly southpaw stated that he has his plans to negate Bumrah’s threat in the initial overs. Well, the seasoned campaigner is the leading run-getter for the Caribbean team at the ongoing ICC World Cup 2019. He has garnered 194 runs in five innings at an average of 38.80. Thus, he is not only keen to score runs, but he’s raring to give his team a flying start.
Could Chris Gayle deliver against India’s potent bowling attack?
The 39-year-old veteran cricketer didn’t shy away from admitting the fact that it will be a challenge to face India’s best bowling line-up. However, his focus was Bumrah, who naturally becomes a threat in such conditions.
While sharing his views, Gayle backed himself and reiterated that they need to apply a cautious role — to play out those crucial overs. He further stressed that if one can survive such moments of the game, then it tends to become relatively more comfortable to bat.
ICC World Cup 2019: Jasprit Bumrah is a death specialist –
“What’s your gameplan against Bumrah in English conditions?” a journalist asked Gayle, who has well over 20 years of experience in international cricket. In the meantime, the reply was too witty to take away the psychological factor.
Gayle, in his reply, maintained that English conditions offer assistance to bowlers when the ball is new. He further elaborated that they as batsmen need to see-off early phase when the ball does a bit.
“In the English conditions, the new ball tend to have a say. You know, early up in the opening batters innings. But, once you conquer that, the batter will tend to come a bit easier,” Gayle revealed in his pre-game press conference.
While praising Bumrah’s stellar of a show, he further added they would take him as any other bowler- to play their game as per their requirement.
“So, like I said Bumrah No.1 bowler in the world right now if I’m correct. He is a world-class bowler now, producing all formats I should say. And just take into stride just another bowler and play according to the situation,” Gayle concluded.
Interestingly, Bumrah is not listed amongst the top ten most-wicket takers at the World Cup. But, Bumrah has played just four matches to bag seven wickets.
As of now, India is unbeaten at the mega ICC event. They’ve nine points in five games. Whereas, Windies are standing at the eighth spot with three points in five games.