Chris Gayle, the recent controversial news item, will be looking to ensure the West Indies' troubled build-up to the WT20 (World Twenty20) becomes a distant memory, when they open their campaign against England in Mumbai, today.

West Indies are out to prove that they can still make an influence in T20s, though their status is declining in the tests, while England want to atone for a humiliating early exit from last year's 50-over World Cup.

Disputes in pay, has cast doubt over the West Indies, appearance in India. Moreover as the row was resolved at the 11th hour, the situation is still in tense, regarding the relations between the players and the country’s cricket board.

Adding to this, their preparations have also been hit, after all rounder Kieron Pollard withdrew and off-spinner Sunil Narine, T20 cricket's top-performing bowler has thrived in IPL.

At this point of time, Chris Gayle, is the greatest hope of the team, who is capable of teaching a lesson to tricky bowling attack he faces, and be a strong reason, for the match victory.

Gayle even has the record for the highest ever score in T20s - 175 off 66 balls, and hit the format's first international century, during the inaugural World T20, in 2007.

But Windies, who are second ranked and aiming to add to their 2012 World T20 title, face a tough time in Mumbai, in the shape of a new, attack minded England side.

Since they were dumped out of the 2015 World Cup by Bangladesh, Eoin Morgan's team have turned their fortunes around, adopting a more aggressive attitude, which has seen them up their run rate.

In Morgan, all-rounder Ben Stokes, opener Jason Roy and classy right-hander Joe Root, England have strength in depth, but they will miss injured fast bowler Steven Finn.

Last year, England had a disastrous 50-over World Cup campaign, knocked out in the group stages, after losing to Bangladesh.

But Morgan said two victories in warm-ups had given the team a boost
“We've built a little bit of confidence and we are in a really good place mentally,” said the captain in his pre-match press conference.

Morgan said it was important to gain momentum early in the tournament but not absolutely vital to win first match against a team that won the tournament in 2012.

“It's not about getting out of the traps early and playing your best game first up,” he said.

"It's about pacing yourself along the way, picking up confidence and putting in performances when they really matter. The first game is a tough game, I do agree with that, but certainly it's not the be all and end all.

"I think they (West Indies) have a number of dangerous players... (but) I think it's important for us as a young, talented side to focus on what we do best and execute that. There are plans in place but ultimately it's how we execute them."

Squad

West Indies: Darren Sammy (captain), Samuel Badree, Sulieman Benn, Carlos Brathwaite, Dwayne Bravo, Johnson Charles, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Jason Holder, Evin Lewis, Ashley Nurse, Denesh Ramdin, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Jerome Taylor.

England: Eoin Morgan (captain), Moeen Ali, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Liam Dawson, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Reece Topley, James Vince, David Willey

By Phani Ch