Impact player Gayle's striking power always omnipresent: Dhoni

Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Monday said that his team has always seen West Indian opener as an impact player, whose striking power is always omnipresent.

Addressing media ahead of India's second league match against the West Indies in the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy tournament, Dhoni said: "The Gayle factor will always be there, as he is such an impact player."

"Hence, that makes his threat omnipresent. But if we manage to get him early, then it will be a huge bonus, and with two new balls, I am expecting the bowlers would reap the fruits," Dhoni added.

Analysing the Kennington Oval pitch, he said: " The wicket is the same, it has a grass covering, and it had a bit of bounce but because it is a used wicket it might hence help spinners."

"A bit of basic planning is important, but when you are on the field every individual reacts in a different manner, hence the one who adapts faster, is the winner," Dhoni added.

"As far as the options are concerned, we will have to wait and decide, because this is England and conditions change drastically, and hence, if I take a call of playing four seamers, and if it fails, I will be the one taking the stick. We have to back our strengths, as it will be a new day tomorrow and a new start," the Indian skipper said.

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Former West Indies skipper and now team manager Richie Richardson had earlier said his boys are confident of winning against India, but will not underestimate the capabilities of the Indians when they play in the ICC Champions Trophy match on June 11.

"We are not going to take India lightly, because we know they are a top-class team, got some exciting batsmen, they have quality bowlers, and the guys (Indian players) are in good nick," he said.

Richardson said his side would play to the best of its ability and try and win the game.

"We believe we have the ammunition to go and beat anybody. So, we just going to do that, we just going to go up there, to play best of our abilities and hope that we win," he said.

West Indies skipper Dwayne Bravo had said his well-balanced squad with power-hitters, all-rounders and spinners, would be able to defeat India.

"This is a good balance and with the balance of the team, we are just getting stronger as a unit and we always enjoy playing against Indians," he said.

The Caribbeans have come into this tournament after winning the last ICC World Twenty20 Cup in Sri Lanka last year.

West Indies has named a strong squad for the tournament, with the likes of Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo, Darren Sammy and Sunil Narine.

India is placed in Group B, along with South Africa, Pakistan and the West Indies.

Group A, on the other hand, consists of Australia, England, Sri Lanka and New Zealand.

The final is slated to be played on June 23.