ICC World T20: India to face Caribbeans in second semi-final today

Mumbai: India will be aiming for a third final appearance in the ICC World Twenty20 when they take on an unpredictable West Indies in the high-voltage semi-final at Wankhede stadium here on Thursday.

Though the venue is memorable for M.S. Dhoni & Co’s triumph in the 2011 ODI World Cup, the jinx of losing a couple of semifinal clashes — against England in 1987 Cup and against the West Indies in 1989 Nehru Cup — remains unconquered.

After a disastrous start to the tournament, India had picked themselves up against Pakistan, got lucky against Bangladesh before yet another Kohli master class against Australia dragged the hosts into the semis.

Having won three games on the trot, the momentum is with India, while, on the other hand, the West Indies showed more than glimpses of their fragility when they went down to Afghanistan in the final league match.

West Indies captain Darren Sammy conceded as much. It is 80-20 and feels like a David versus Goliath, but don’t forget David won the fight,” he said about the match.

In-form Kohli has scored 184 runs in four games with two half centuries in chase against Pakistan and Australia. The next leading scorer for India is Dhoni with 74 runs followed by Yuvraj Singh (52), who has been ruled out with an ankle injury.

Local boy Ajinkya Rahane, all-rounder Pawan Negi and Manish Pandey, the new addition to the squad, are in contention to replace Yuvi. For the first time this tournament, Dhoni will have to make a change or two in the playing XI.

Openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan haven’t performed. Suresh Raina has also been quite ordinary. The trio has contributed just 129 runs in four games.

India’s bowling has been mostly good and Dhoni’s smart captaincy has ensured their inconsistency at times doesn’t affect the results. Ashish Nehra, Ravindra Jadeja and part-time bowler Suresh Raina have economy of below six. R. Ashwin has to bring out his ‘A’ game to the fore.