'West Indies win with Chris Gayle to spare'

West Indies were playing in Bangalore, Chris Gayle's 'home' IPL ground, and their supporters were tuned in, including the West Indies Women's players, right after a win over Bangladesh.

Need to reach at the hotel quickly to support Team Windies... Let's do this @darrensammy88 ..

— merissa aguilleira (@mraguilleira) March 20, 2016

They won fans over with their approach as well.

Each of the West Indies team walked onto the pitch chatting with their mascots, who were thrilled. Good-natured team! #SLvWI

— Alt Cricket (@AltCricket) March 20, 2016

The toss was won by Darren Sammy, who put Sri Lanka in. Tillakaratne Dilshan hit a six off the second ball.

Thatz a awesome SIX from Dilshan....WOW #WT20 #SLvWI

— Dimuth Karunaratne (@IamDimuth) March 20, 2016

Dilshan got a start, and it seemed West Indies would have plenty to chase early on.

Ominous start by #Srilanka especially from Dilshan pitch looks good!

— Brian Lara (@BrianLara) March 20, 2016

A poor leg-before decision, though, ended his innings on 12. Dilshan was disappointed, but had no DRS to call upon.

Come on umps! It's a WC and u have to be better than this. That would hit 5th stump if they had one...

— Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) March 20, 2016

West Indies bowlers took charge after that, reducing Sri Lanka to 47 for 5.

Wickets are falling! Love what I'm seeing from my @westindies ... Feeling good indeed. Still early but may it continue! #SLvWI #WT20

— Alexis Nunes (@alexisenunes) March 20, 2016

Samuel Badree was done by the ninth over. His figures: 4-0-12-3.

Another leg spinner bowling superbly in the tournament. #SLvWI

— Gav_Joshi_Aus (@Gampa_cricket) March 20, 2016

Angelo Mathews and Thisara Perera led a recovery with a run-a-ball stand of 44, before Mathews was dismissed in bizarre fashion.

The advancing paddle sweep to a thigh-high full toss may be a shot that needs a bit more work in the nets. #SLvWI #WT20

— Andrew F Fernando (@andrewffernando) March 20, 2016

There were some quick runs from Perera at the end, but it was a splendid performance from West Indies, restricting Sri Lanka to a below-par 122 for 9.

Tell you what .. @westindies might take some stopping at this World Cup ... #UniverseBoss #ICCWT20

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 20, 2016

Andre Russell caused some excitement when he wore a white shoe along with a maroon one.

Says something about Andre Russell's hairdo when he wears 2 shoes of diff colors and still d first thing u notice is his hair. #SLvWi #WT20

— Sourodeep (@TrippyTroller) March 20, 2016

Gayle was off the field during Sri Lanka's innings because of a left hamstring twinge, and the West Indies team management suggested he would not bat unless required, something the fans at the Chinnaswamy Stadium would not have approved of.

Going to be a riot in the Chinnaswammy when Gayle doesnt come out to open... #wt20 #wi #sl

— Innocent Bystander (@InnoBystander) March 20, 2016

Johnson Charles and Andre Fletcher walked out to bat, and promptly the crowd in Bangalore made their feelings known, with chants of 'We want Gayle!'

There's little doubting who the Bangalore crowd want to see... @henrygayle #WT20 #SLvWI https://t.co/HfKhsPlvuG

— ICC (@ICC) March 20, 2016

Quite impressive getting a 'Gayle we miss you' banner up - did someone smuggle some crayons into the ground? #wt20 #wi #sl

— Innocent Bystander (@InnoBystander) March 20, 2016

Fans in Dharamshala were offered refund for no INDvPAK match - do u think there is line forming at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium? #WT20

— Jonty Rhodes (@JontyRhodes8) March 20, 2016

Charles survived a drop off legspinner Jeffrey Vandersay's second ball, but later chopped onto his stumps off the same bowler. West Indies would have wanted Marlon Samuels to anchor the chase in Gayle's absence, but he perished charging down the track to the left-arm spin of Milinda Siriwardana.

A lot of batsmen are getting stumped this #WT20! Is stepping out of the crease to the spinners a lost art? #SLvWI

— HoldingWilleyCricket (@holdingwilley) March 20, 2016

In between, there was praise for one of Sri Lanka's agile veterans.

Dilshan putting the rest of us old men2shame -39 and still going strong! #WT20 it's not a problem diving - it's the landing that hurts now

— Jonty Rhodes (@JontyRhodes8) March 20, 2016

The chants from the crowd appeared to have worked their magic when Gayle indicated from the dressing room that he was walking in to bat at the fall of the third wicket, only to be stopped by the fourth umpire Ian Gould. As per regulations, he still had to wait a few minutes before he could bat in West Indies' innings due to his time off the field in the first innings.

Gayle tells the dugout he's coming out to bat, but he can't right now https://t.co/c1sVwQFxgN #SLvWI #WT20

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) March 20, 2016

A simple explanation could have been provided to fans at the Chinnaswamy.

Common rule in Gully Cricket and International Cricket

"Jo fielding nahi karega usko batting nahi milegi"#Gayle #SLvWI

— Sagarcasm (@sagarcasm) March 20, 2016

Many joked about hoping for West Indies to lose a wicket.

Chris Gayle reminds me of myself in childhood to wait for my own team player to get out so that i could get to bat! #WT20

— FRANK (@FranklinnMJ) March 20, 2016

West Indies were playing an extra batsman in Fletcher, and he ably managed at the top of the order, powering the chase with a half-century studded with boundaries. But with 33 more to get, he nicked one behind off Dushmantha Chameera. The low catch was sent for a review, and as with replays in such cases, it looked dicey. His reprieve was even more painful for fans waiting to catch Gayle in action.

If you think that wasn't out get yourself a pair of modern keeping gloves. They are rock hard rubber tips

— Peter Miller (@TheCricketGeek) March 20, 2016

Apologies for the plug, but you can watch the video here.

Ian Chappell is absolutely shocked that was given not out - he will explain at 11pm why on #espnmatchday - LIVE on @SONYESPN & @ESPNcricinfo

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) March 20, 2016

Another opportunity for Gayle fans was missed by Sri Lanka's fielders.

It was in the air

There was huge cheer from the crowd

as they want to see Gayle

but there is twist

Kulasekara dropped the catch

— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) March 20, 2016

Post match, Mathews admitted his team had been 'horrible' in the field.

Once, #SL set the standards for Asian fielding. They've been atrocious this match. #WT20 #SLvWI

— Dileep Premachandran (@SpiceBoxofEarth) March 20, 2016

Andre Russell hit the winning six, but it was Fletcher - the other Andre - who starred with 84 not out off 64 balls.

Andre Fletcher collects Player of the Match after his unbeaten 84 as #WI win by 7 wickets in Bangalore. #WT20 #SLvWI pic.twitter.com/pdfAg5wJ8K

— ICC (@ICC) March 20, 2016

It was a Gayle-like performance, or should we say just short of being Gayle-like?

Fletcher 84*... equals the highest in T20I by WI opener not named Chris Gayle: https://t.co/FWBN36zonF #SLvWI

— S Rajesh (@rajeshstats) March 20, 2016

And it was a win that didn't need their biggest batting star.

West Indies win with Chris Gayle to spare

— Sidvee (@sidvee) March 20, 2016

Gayle came out after the win, waved to the fans and posed for photos. No runs in Bangalore for the night, but expect many more in the future.

Great team win tonight. The Bengaluru crowd/fans always amazing, sorry y'all didn't see me bat tonight but I will be back. #OneLove #WT20

— Chris Gayle (@henrygayle) March 20, 2016

The performances got praise from various quarters. A former international legspinner impressed by another upcoming one in Vandersay, who had figures of 4-1-11-1.

Congratulations WI! The score never seemed out of reach, but a special mention to Vandersay for bowling brilliantly. #SLvWI #WT20 #AKLive

— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) March 20, 2016

A fast bowler who rarely seemed to deviate from plans praised the West Indians' seam attack that was manned by three allrounders.

Good win by the Windies. I enjoyed their bowling plans from the quicks, yorkers & slower balls. #WT20

— Glenn McGrath (@glennmcgrath11) March 20, 2016

And a West Indian legend sent in his appreciation.

Big win 4 the Windies wit plenty in reserve. Well played boys! Take a bow @qmanbad @AndreFletch. Enjoyed the tactical moves @darrensammy88

— Brian Lara (@BrianLara) March 20, 2016