ICC 2016 World T20: Sri Lankan coach bullish about plans for containing Chris Gayle

Sri Lankan coach Graham Ford is confident that his bowlers can contain the big-hitting prowess of Chris Gayle when his side take on the West Indies in Bengaluru on Sunday. Though he admitted that Lasith Malinga being ruled out of the tournament with injury is a big blow, Ford said that the likes of Gayle can be neutralised if bowlers execute their plans properly.

The burly Jamaican took the 2016 World T20 by storm on Wednesday when he single-handedly decimated the English bowling attack, proving yet again why he is considered one of the most dangerous batsman in the T20 format. His 47-ball century – the fastest 100 in World T20 history – helped West Indies chase down the target of 183 comfortably with eleven balls to spare.

With the action shifting from the Wankhede to the M Chinnaswamy Stadium – a place Gayle aptly referred to as home with his long association with the Royal Challengers Bangalore franchise in the IPL – many are expecting Gayle to recreate the magic he has shown time and again at the venue. However, Ford revealed that they have been putting plans in place to restrict not just Gayle, but the other big-hitters in the side as well.

“Twenty20 is a funny game and all sorts of things can happen. At the same time, we need to come up with one or two plans to neutralise the big guns in their side. So we are quietly chatting about a few things and of course, the execution of those things is important," Ford told reporters, as reported by IBN Live.

When asked specifically what the plans were in store for Gayle, Ford reminded how Sri Lanka had restricted Gayle to just 3 runs off 16 balls during the final of the 2012 World T20. The South African is hopeful that the present crop of bowlers can repeat the feat by sticking to the basics.

"We have put a few things in place in the past. In fact, we did quite well in 2012 against him. We have to see if that still works against him," he said. "Obviously, they are a very tough side. I think if we do our basics well then we have a chance," he said.

Though Sri Lanka got their campaign off to a winning start, they were made to sweat in their six-wicket victory by a spirited Afghanistan side who put up a brave fight in spite of heading into the game as overwhelming underdogs. Ford, though, is not surprised one bit.

“I think all these T20 fixtures are a battle of equals. You have got 11 men and you get out there to play against opposition. There is no time to drop your guard, you have got to be as sharp as we can and you have to keep doing what you can do," he said.

Sri Lanka will have to do without the services of the talismanic Lasith Malinga for the rest of the tournament after the fast bowler was ruled out with injury and Ford admitted that the 32-year-old’s abilities will be missed, especially with regard to bowling in the death overs.

“It is a huge impact. Malinga has struck early for us and done well in the death overs. Finishing the innings is very important for momentum and now we have to find somebody to do that," he said.