T20 final not hinging Gayle's flamboyant batting: Jayawardene

Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene has insisted that the World Twenty20 final against the West Indies will not hinge only on Chris Gayle's flamboyant batting.

Gayle crushed Australia in Friday's semi-final with an unbeaten 75 off 41 balls even on the slow pitch that was considered unfavourable for big shots, which now makes him a 'danger man' for Sri Lanka's title hopes.

However, Jayawardene, aiming to break his team's losing sequence in three finals in major events, played down Gayle's importance in the match, saying the Sri Lankan team never planned for just one individual.

"We have never gone after individuals. Gayle is just another player in a very good West Indies side. But we plan and analyse for a team, not individuals," Sport24 quoted Jayawardene, as saying.

"The West Indies obviously had a ball with the bat against Australia. But its a new game on Sunday and everything will depend on how we execute our plans. Its a great challenge to have as a team," he added.

Jayawardene also scoffed at Gayle's remarks that the West Indies were going to ruin Sri Lanka's party by winning the title.

"I can't make out if the pressure is on us or him. If he has said something like that, the pressure must be more on him. Let him deal with it," the Sri Lankan captain said.

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