Sri Lanka vs West Indies: Players to watch out for

Openers Chris Gayle and Tillakaratne Dilshan will once again play important roles for their respective teams.

New Delhi: Defending champions Sri Lanka are handicapped by the unavailability of their mercurial Lasith Malinga. A niggling knee injury has forced the fast bowler to return home, leaving his side without a 'match-winner' in the 2016 ICC World Twenty 20. His absence has compounded Lanka's woes, with the team going through a rough patch.

In contrast, the West Indies are riding the Chris Gayle wave. Despite missing a couple of notable match-winners, Darren Sammy's outfit has started the tournament with a bang. And they start as the favourites against Sri Lanka. A win today will not only increase their chances of making the semis, but also give themselves a boost, which the Caribbean cricket desperately needs.

Here are the five players to look out for in the rematch of 2012 final:

Chris Gayle: The boss is lording over the world cricket. Chris Gayle comes will be hard to contain even if he is playing a waiting game, just like in the England game. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore is in for a treat from the left-hander.

Tillakaratne Dilshan: The right-handed Sri Lankan opener may not match Gayle's firepower, but Tillakaratne Dilshan has enough range of shots to torment any bowling attack. If he bats sensibly, as the team would expect from their most experience player, then West Indies bowlers will face a a truly world class opponent.

Dwayne Bravo: The all-rounder is star in T20 world. He is capable of winning matches single handedly, with bat or ball. He was quiet in the England match. But don't expect him to stay idle for long.

Angelo Mathews: Sri Lanka's answer to Bravo is their skipper. Angelo Mathews is also one of the best all-rounders in the game today. The Lankan Lions will need the 28-year-old to play a crucial role today.

Jason Holder: Another bowling all-rounder who can make an instant impact is Jason Holder. The 24-year-old has so far failed to live up to the initial promise he has shown. He is expected to contribute heavily.