Andre Fletcher insisted Sunday he was not trying to steal Chris Gayle's limelight after he powered the West Indies to a seven-wicket victory against Sri Lanka in their World Twenty20 match here. The 28-year-old smashed an unbeaten 84, including five sixes and six fours, as the Windies successfully chased down Sri Lanka's paltry score of 122 for nine. Fletcher spearheaded the attack with his 64-ball knock in the absence of explosive opener Gayle, who suffered a tweak in his left hamstring while fielding and did not bat. A Windies team spokesman told reporters that the 36-year-old's injury was "not major" but it raises questions about how much of the remaining tournament he will now play. "I don't think anybody in the world can take his (Gayle's) place," Fletcher said. "I'm (just) grateful for the opportunity to bat," the Man of the Match added. An unimpressed crowd repeatedly chanted "We want Gayle, We want Gayle", anxious to see the Jamaican who has played several seasons for the city's team in the glitzy Indian Premier League (IPL). He teased the crowd by stepping out of the bunker with his bat after the third wicket fell, bringing roars from the stadium, only to walk back inside. Gayle smashed a scorching century last week during the West Indies' demolition of England by six wickets in their opening Group One Super 10 match. Despite the injury, Gayle tweeted that he expected to play again in the tournament. The West Indies is one of the weakest teams in Test cricket, but it remains a force in the shortest format and is gunning for its second World T20 title after winning the trophy in 2012. Defending champion Sri Lanka has been struggling for form since winning the trophy two years ago, slumping to seventh in the world rankings. On Sunday, it posted 122 for nine after West Indies captain Darren Sammy won the toss and elected to field. All-rounder Thisara Perera top scored for Sri Lanka with 40, including five fours, off 29 balls at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, while skipper Angelo Mathews chipped in with 20. Opener Tillakaratne Dilshan, the star for Sri Lanka in its win over Afghanistan last week, started in promising style, smacking a six off the second ball. But the 39-year-old was sent packing in the third over, lbw to Carlos Braithwaite. His opening partner Dinesh Chandimal made a quick 16 runs from 18 balls before he was sensationally run out, thanks to some quick fielding by Johnson Charles at cover. Chandimal wanted a swift single and took off down the pitch, but was sent scampering back by Lahiru Thirimanne at the other end. Thirimanne was gone just seven balls later for five, as the wickets tumbled thanks to solid West Indies bowling led by leg spinner Samuel Badree. Perera and Mathews combined to steady the ship, adding 44 runs for the sixth wicket, before the captain was caught behind. Perera was caught at the boundary in the final over by Russell. The West Indies now plays South Africa in Nagpur Friday while Sri Lanka next meets England in New Delhi on the following day. Scoreboard Sri Lanka D. Chandimal run out 16 T. Dilshan lbw b Brathwaite 12 L. Thirimanne c Fletcher b Badree 05 C. Kapugedera st Ramdin b Badree 06 A. Mathews c Ramdin b Bravo 20 M. Siriwardana c Gayle b Badree 00 T. Perera c Russell b Bravo 40 N. Kulasekara b Russell 07 R. Herath run out 03 J. Vandersay not out 00 D. Chameera not out 00 Extras (lb 7, w5, nb1) 13 Total (9 wickets, 20 overs) 122 Falls: 1-20 (Dilshan), 2-32 (Chandimal), 3-41 (Thirimanne), 4-47 (Kapugedera), 5-47 (Siriwardana), 6-91 (Mathews), 7-116 (Kulasekara), 8-121 (Herath), 9-121 (Perera). Bowling: Russell 4-0-34-1, Badree 4-0-12-3, Benn 4-0-13-0, Brathwaite 4-0-36-1, Bravo 4-0-20-2. West Indies A. Fletcher not out 84 J. Charles b Vandersay 10 M. Samuels st Chandimal b Siriwardana 03 D. Ramdin b Siriwardana 05 A. Russell not out 20 Extras (w5) 05
