ICC World Twenty20 Preview: India

INDIA – Group A

Defending champions, India will start their ICC World Twenty20 campaign as tournament favorites. The team is well balanced, with many high-class match winners amongst their ranks. Well-tuned to the shortest format of the game post Indian Premier League duty, the 15 member squad’s biggest challenge will be to overcome mental fatigue in their quest for repeat success.

Watch Out For:

Rohit Sharma: The Mumbai boy enhanced his stake with consistent and match winning performances in IPL 2009. He approached the responsibility of being Adam Gilchrist’s deputy for his IPL franchise Deccan Chargers with a serious edge and has successfully backed himself to deliver the goods. He has now spotlighted himself as one of the best finishers in world cricket and appears more than handy with the ball.

Suresh Raina: Raina has slowly but surely engrained himself as a premier and dependable batsman with his powerful stroke play. Since his return to the Indian team he has gained the trust of his captain and has been rightly rewarded with the responsibility of batting at number three. He is a livewire in the field and has brought a third dimension to his game – bowling.

X-factor: Even an out-of-form Virender Sehwag is a nightmare for any bowler as he can take the game away from the opposition in no time. As he says he is just one knock away from being in form and IPL 2009 show is no concern.

Dark Horse: Ishant Sharma was out-of-form during IPL 2009, but he has the ability to comeback stronger after a poor run. The seaming conditions in England will help his cause, and has effective slow balls under his belt.

Team:

Captain: Mahendra Singh Dhoni

Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, Rohit Sharma, Yusuf Pathan, Irfan Pathan, Harbajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, RP Singh, Pragyan Ojha, Praveen Kumar, Ishant Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja

Coach: Gary Kirsten