The Hindu : Sport : India would seek to settle scores: Gayle

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Thursday, Jun 25, 2009
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India would seek to settle scores: Gayle

— Photo: AP

BIG HIT WITH THE CROWDS: Chris Gayle feels that with quality players such as Harbhajan Singh — interacting with the fans during a practice session in Kingston on Tuesday — in its ranks, India could pose serious challenge for the West Indies.

Kingston: Bested in the ICC World Twenty20, revenge-thirsty India would come down hard on West Indies in the forthcoming ODI series, believes home side captain Chris Gayle.

West Indies not only beat India in the Super Eight stage of the World T20 but also laid bare its frailty against rising deliveries which was exploited well by England.

Gayle believes the side under Mahendra Singh Dhoni, however depleted, would seek to settle scores in the four-match ODI series starting here on Friday.

Big game

“We have a big game on Friday against India. We’re all looking forward to it,” Gayle said.

“India is always a good one-day team and they will be looking to beat us after their Twenty20 disappointment,” he added.

Gayle said even though India would be without star batsmen Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag, the bunch is still good enough to make life miserable for the host.

“Sehwag and Tendulkar are two world class players but they still have quality players to step up and they have a lot of experience in one-day cricket.

“They still have quality players in Yuvraj (Singh), Harbhajan Singh, Dhoni, (Ishant) Sharma and a lot of guys to give us a lot of trouble,” Gayle said.

Well supported

Having led the side to the semifinals of the World T20, Gayle said he was happy with the support from all quarters.

“The support has been brilliant. The guys gave me their full support and I gave them the same sort of support and respect which they deserve. It’s been enjoyable.

“Captaining the West Indies has done a lot for me individually and I’m really happy and grateful to be captaining West Indies and the entire region,” Gayle said. “It’s a privilege and hopefully I can continue from strength to strength and give everyone something to cheer about. Hopefully we can wrap up this series and am looking forward to a lot of things,” Gayle said. — PTI

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