Bring it on, Ravi Shastri challenges Chris Gayle ahead of T20 semifinal

The duel is still some time away but the verbal duel has already begun. After the big man Chris Gayle's taunt saying that he wanted to show what Chris Gayle is, India's team director came up with an apt answer to that.

And everyone knows Shastri is never one to shy away from a battle and calls a spade, a spade. And the former Indian captain retorted to Gayle's remark by saying: "Bring it on. All our bowlers will target him."

That sets up an explosive and tantalising battle as India square-off against the West Indies at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday.

And while Shastri said that Gayle would be of special interest to his bowlers, he called on his misfiring top order to bring their 'A' game on the night.

"You will need the top to fire, in a big game like the semifinal," Shastri said at the team's training session in Mumbai on Wednesday.

"I still believe we have played only to 70 per cent of our ability in this tournament. So, there are still 30 per cent areas where we can improve. Let's hope it happens tomorrow (Thursday), because in a semifinal, you need to bring your 'A' game. You cannot depend on one or two players. You need six or seven players to step up to the plate. It's not happened really in this tournament so far, let's hope tomorrow will be a start," he added.

Virat Kohli has undoubtedly been the standout but the openers Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma haven't set the stage alight, and so too, Suresh Raina, with patience running thin over the left-hander.

India were dealt a blow prior to the game with their all-rounder Yuvraj Singh ruled out because of an ankle injury. Karnataka batsman Manish Pandey, who was on standby, has been drafted in as cover.

Shastri said that the veteran left-hander will be missed but didn't shed light on who will take his place. India already have Ajinkya Rahane in the squad but they also have the option of going in with all-rounder Pawan Negi.

"It will have an impact. He will be missed. It's unfortunate. When he was looking to take off, he did his ankle. It's a minor tear in the ankle," Shastri said of Yuvraj's absence.

"He has had his moments. I thought his three overs were brilliant in the last game. It really put the check and the brakes on the scoring and allowed us to come back into the contest, because after the first four overs it was a no contest. At that stage, it looked like Australia would get 200 or over 200, which would have been very difficult on that surface to chase," Shastri said.

Yuvraj had checked Australia's charge with one for 91 from his three overs and later went on to score 21.

Shastri said that India will go up against a dangerous West Indian side but added that they were ready to do battle.

"I have said that from the beginning. They are probably one of the most dangerous sides in this format, because they have got explosive players. They have got match winners. We know what we are up against but we are up and ready as well," he said.