Twenty20 World Championship 2009

Getting Gayle early is key: Zaheer

India’s pace spearhead Zaheer Khan has rated West Indian skipper Chris Gayle as the main threat when the two teams meet in the Super Eight stage of the Twenty20 World Cup, saying the left-hander’s early dismissal will be vital to the defending champions chances in the match.

“He (Gayle) is a proven match-winner. If we could get him out early, it would definitely be great help for us,” Zaheer said after returning from a shoulder injury with a four-wicket haul against Ireland on Wednesday night. “It will be good if we can get early wickets against the West Indies. I am hopeful because we are clicking as a bowling unit and each bowler understands his role. We are chipping in with wickets at the right time,” he added.

India will take on West Indies in their first match of the Super Eight stage at Lord’s on Friday, followed by the encounter against hosts England at the same venue on Sunday before clashing with with South Africa here on June 16.

Tags: India, t20 world cup, west indies