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'About time others take a cue from Kohli's approach'

Image Courtesy: BCCI

India go in to the semi finals at probably their least favourite venue, the Wankhede Stadium. It was at this venue a few months back that the South Africans massacred their bowling to score 438 runs in a limited overs game.

That said, the bowling is now way different with the inclusion of the wily experienced Ashish Nehra, Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya. Nehra and Bumrah not only get wickets at the beginning but bowl exceedingly well in the slog overs to put the brakes on the opposition scoring.

Pandya has the happy knack of picking wickets even though he gives runs away in the final overs. More importantly he has the luck factor going for him which is so crucial. If a bowler picks wickets off full tosses then it's nothing but luck as was seen in the game against Bangladesh. Dhoni will not leave him out of the team for he knows that Pandya can belt the ball and with his fielding save the runs that he gives as a bowler.

Yuvraj Singh's fitness will be a factor and India is likely to go with Rahane who has been sitting in the wings patiently awaiting his chance. There is a case for going with an extra spinner but the Wankhede pitch is less likely to assist spin so there won't be much of a change in the Indian team.

The Windies on the other hand have brought in the experienced Lendl Simmons who plays for Mumbai Indians in the IPL and so is familiar with the pitch. He and Gayle form a formidable opening pair and Dhoni will once again use Ashwin to bowl to Gayle who is happier when the ball is coming on to the bat than when he has to wait for the ball as he has to when facing Ashwin.

Virat Kohli has pulled the fat out of the fire for most of India's wins in this tournament and it is about time the others take a cue from his approach and begin to make a contribution. If the openers get India off to a good start then Kohli can come and play the shots as only he can and get India a big score on the board.

India start as the favourites but the T20 format is known for making 'pundits' look like idiots in a jiffy.

Source: PMG



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