This time when the Indian team starts its campaign in the World T20 Cup, there are two major differences more than any other.
First, the team looks stronger and better prepared for the shortest form of cricket.
Second, the expectations from the fans are way more than expected.
Given the balance and experience of the side, fans have all the rights to demand nothing less but retain the cup.
Pick any playing 11 out of the 15 member squad and you will have around 8 batsmen and 9 bowlers, courtesy – a big bunch of the all-rounders… A world class seam attack, superb spin attack, very successful part time spinners, a great opening pair, a solid middle order and a super cool minded captain!
If the trophy was to be given based on the cumulative talent of the players on papers, India would have already won it. J No doubt, they start the tournament as the favorites. With a very narrow margin loss to New Zealand and a huge win over Pakistan in the warm-up matches, India has announced that they are in England to win the title.
The line-up
Opening
Be it Shewag and Gambhir OR Rohit and Gambhir (in case Sehwag is not fit) both the pairs have the potential to make the opposite team’s captain run out of ideas. Gambhir got back his form in the match against Pakistan and Rohit looked good filling in Sehwag’s place in his absence during the warm-up matches.
Middle Order
Raina, Dhoni, Yuvraj and Yusuf
All of them are so good in hitting the ball outside the stadium and rotating the strike at almost every ball other than that. The middle order of the team is like a big fort wall and any team playing against India will have to work really hard on their strategy to stop them.
Batting Depth
Jadeja, Irfan, Zaheer and Harbhajan
Jadeja got some good practice in the warm-up match against New Zealand and has placed his candidature well to be in the playing eleven, but then who will sit out to give him space? Not at least in first few matches.
Spin Attack
Harbhajan and Ojha
Both are in good form and have the potential not to allow opposition take middle overs easily.
Pace Attack
Zaheer, Ishant, RP Singh, Praveen and Irfan
Ishant looked good on English pitches during the warm-up matches… good to see him getting over the IPL non-performance in a quick time. The only question that remains is who amongst these five will sit out from the playing eleven?
Part-time Bowlers
Yuvraj, Jadeja, Rohit, Raina, Sehwag and Yusuf
Plenty of options for Dhoni… he can comfortably use them to complete at least one bowler’s quota of 4 overs.
The overall balance of the side displays an immense talent and energy required to defend the title. But, the format of the tournament is such that a single ‘off’ day can put the team out of the contest.
Overall, it should be exciting to see how team India plays and progresses during the tournament to defend its title.