Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has saluted India's performance in the ongoing ICC World T20 2016, but also warned that playing against West Indies in the second semifinal match Thursday will not be easy by any means. The mouthwatering clash will take place at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
After losing to New Zealand in their opening game of the competition, MS Dhoni and co. showed all their mettle as they won their next three games against Pakistan, Bangladesh and Australia to make it to the knockout stages of the tournament. Will they be playing against England next in the final of the competition? We will get the answer tonight.
The match between Team India and the Caribbean side is actually a clash between top class India batsmen and top class West Indies bowlers. The likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Dhoni from India will be up against the likes of Samuel Badree and Dwayne Bravo from West Indies. Also, there is the formidable presence of game-changer Chris Gayle in the Caribbean team's line up.
Tendulkar has made it clear that his support will be only for India but he expects a close encounter and the hosts need to be wary of that.
"My heart has always said India and nothing else," Tendulkar told NDTV. "But today's match is an open game and it will be a closely fought contest because the West Indians have been playing good cricket and they have some unbelievable players in their team.
"[My advise to the India team would be to] Go out and enjoy cricket above all. The results will follow and stay focused on the process and we are all behind you."
One of the key all-rounders for India, Yuvraj Singh has been ruled out for the remaining matches of the competition owing to an ankle injury. It will now be interesting to see who replaces him in the starting lineup with Pawan Negi, Ajinkya Rahane and Manish Pandey in contention for a start.
