India vs West Indies: Despite October fiasco, 'typical' T20 wicket expected for Wankhede semi-final

New Delhi: Not just Chris Gayle but a batting beauty at Wankhede could pose some problems for India on Thursday in the semi-final.

According to a report in the Times of India, the wicket is expected to facilitate strokeplay, boosting chances of the Windies side.

While so far the pitches India have played on have suited their bowling, the Mumbai pitch is likely to be very different.

“So far, no specific instructions have come from the Indian team management about preparing a certain type of a wicket. So, it should be a typical T20 wicket, as you've seen so far here. This is a small ground. The boundaries here are merely 71 yards long, whereas those at Mohali or Kolkata are 80m in length. That is why you see so many fours and sixes here," a groundsman​ told the TOI.

“The dew falls on days when it's extremely humid.If it is windy and slightly cooler, like it was n the last night game here, then there is no moisture on the ground," he further added.

Hence if the Men in Blue are put in to bat first, they will be unsure as to what is a winning total.

India did play a warm-up against South Africa in Mumbai. The Proteas scored 197, with the hosts losing by just 4 runs. 

Windies easily chased down 182 against England and the Saffers smashes 209 against the Afghans on this wicket.

Curator Sudhir Naik found himself at the centre of a huge controversy in October after India were thrashed by 215 runs by South Africa in a ODI series decider.

A fuming Team India director Ravi Shastri allegedly abused Naik at the break. The latter then demanded an apology from Shastri in a written letter to the Mumbai Cricket Association.

A batting paradise will no doubt improve West Indies' chances of beating India, especially since most of MS Dhoni's men are short of runs at the moment.