Virat Kohli vs Chris Gayle: Battle of batting superstars in ICC World T20 2nd semi-final

New Delhi: India and West Indies are set to lock horns in the all-important 2nd semi-final of the ICC World Twenty20 at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Thursday.

Both the teams won three out of their four group stage matches to book a spot in the semis of the cricketing extravaganza.

Like India, West Indies too have plenty of match-winners in their side.

But the players who are key for their respective sides in the much-anticipated clash are opener Chris Gayle from Windies and in-form Indian batsman Virat Kohli.

Both these batsmen are experienced campaigners and if Gayle produced a blistering knock of 100 in the opening game, Kohli has been more complete after knitting two crucial wins against Pakistan and Australia.

Kohli played two substantial innings in both these matches and made the chase easier.

Interestingly, the kind of form Kohli is in, even Gayle requested the batsman not to fire against them.

“I am hoping, please don’t fire Virat. He is in good form so, he will be a good wicket as well. We have to play according to the pressure situation and play within our strength and they actually take it from there," Gayle was quoted as saying by IANS.

But at the same time even Indian bowlers and skipper MS Dhoni are aware of the fact that if the Jamaican batsman sets his eyes early on, he can destroy any bowling line up in the world. Gayle has immense IPL experience and is loved by fans all across India.

Now it would be interesting to see whether IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore's skipper, Kohli, stamps his authority or his teammate Gayle turns the table on March 31.