Gayle backs India as clear favourites for ICC World T20 title

Chris Gayle backed India as a clear favourite for the ICC World Twenty20 title, says a report in The Hindu. According to Gayle India have the team to go all the distance. “I think they (India) fancy themselves to actually win the World Cup, they have done it before and they have got the team to do it as well. They have got a lot of match-winners there in batting and bowling,” said Gayle.

Gayle, who along with his team-mates is gearing up for the West Indies’ opening match against Australia here on Saturday, said that the first game will be a crucial test.  “The main challenge is going to be the first match with the Aussies. If we get past Australia we should know where we are at.  Even if that doesn't happen we have to make sure we qualify and that would make the game against Ireland vital for us.  They have upset a lot of big teams so we have to be very mindful of that,” the former West Indies captain said.”

According to a report in The Indian Express, Chris Gayle has enthralled the cricket loving public across the globe with his ability to hit big sixes and the Jamaican giant says that 'proper balance' is key in executing those towering shots. "The key thing is balance. You have to have good balance to be able to hit a lot of sixes. I put special emphasis, on my balance. You have to realise that bowlers aren't always going to make it easy for you," Gayle , who turns 33 tomorrow told the reporters after West Indies' training session at the Colts ground here today.

"You have to create the shots, so you have to make sure you do it well. So you have to be mentally prepared as well."

According to a report in Mumbai Mirror, ask Gayle how he hits those sixes and how he makes it sound as simple as he does while hitting them and comes the reply, “Bit of strength work to be honest and once the ball is in your slot you go for it. I am sure everyone can hit a six these days. It doesn’t seem so hard these days with everybody getting big bats. So it’s one of those things - you try and get a good start and once you are there you can take advantage of the conditions.”

The key words here have to be ‘once you get a start’. In IPL-2012, Gayle scored at just 5.11 runs per over in first two overs, at 8.49 between 3 and 6, 7.29 between 7-9 and at 12.25 when he stayed beyond 10 overs. And more interestingly he hit 40 sixes during his stay between over overs 10 and 20. The logical question then is whether he is always thinking about hitting a six? Gayle wants us to believe that it comes naturally. “It’s instinct. You try and not have to think. You have to let the mind and body flow together. You don’t want to get stuck in a two-minded situation. You just try to be natural out there. And things will actually flow for you in the end.”