On paper, India is definitely favorites to win the world T20. They weren’t so in the 2007 World T20. Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina looked fantastic in the IPL. Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag are yet to fire. In the bowling department, RP Singh, Zaheer Khan, Pragyan Ojha and Harbhajan Singh hold key to the team India’s fortune. With an impressive economy rate and a hat-trick to their names, Yuvraj Singh and Rohit Sharma have obtained the tag of “all rounder”. Suresh Raina too has shown flashes of economical bowling. Yusuf Pathan will have to play explosive knocks in the death overs to give India quick runs at the end of the innings. He can be handy with the ball too. These will be the key ingredients to the recipe of success in the 2009 World T20. They did the magic in 2007. Can they do it yet again?
South Africa will be considered second to India. They have an explosive opening pair of Graeme Smith and Herschelle Gibbs that showed their striking capability in the 2007 ICC World T20. AB de Villiers, Jean Paul Duminy and Mark Boucher will add a lot of vibe to the middle order. Jacques Kallis will be the X-factor in the South African line-up. His power hitting batting and steady seam bowling will be a good combination for South Africa’s dreams. Albie Morkel and Roelof van der Merwe are known to strike some meaty blows at the end. South Africa’s bowling will be pumped up by the aggressive Dale Steyn supported by Morne Morkel, Albie Morkel and Wayne Parnell. Don’t be surprised if the IPL revelation, Yusuf Abdulla has the ball in some matches. Off-break bowler Johan Botha is a craft bowler indeed to handle. Even though he cannot bowl his doosra, his line, length and change of pace can deceive any batsman. With players with such caliber, who can defy South Africa’s chances?
Australia and New Zealand have got equal chances to notch up the third spot. Australia have got the explosive David Warner at the top of the batting line up and spearhead Brett Lee in the bowling attack. The middle order will consist of Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke, Shane Watson and David Hussey.
New Zealand have a batting line up that boasts of Brendon McCullum, Jesse Ryder, Martin Guptill and Ross Taylor. Jesse Ryder and Brendon McCullum have the potential to strike at more than 10 an over. Ross Taylor can be more than useful in the death overs. So can Martin Guptill. Kyle Mills, Iain O’Brien and James Franklin will take charge of the bowling department. The captain, Daniel Vettori himself is a crafty customer indeed.
Pakistan isn’t in their best of forms. They will certainly have to work hard if they are to be in contention for the title. The bowling department Umar Gul and Sohail Tanvir have a big job to do since there’s no Mohammed Asif and no Shoaib Akhtar. In the batting, Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi, Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq should take charge. Pakistan will rely on Salman Butt and Ahmed Shehzad to get off to flying starts.
England has been in terrific form after the series win against the West Indies. They just have to keep the momentum going. On the contrary, West Indies should leave past losses behind and concentrate on what is to come. They will rely on skipper Chris Gayle to get them off to a flier. Fidel Edwards will have to do a big job with the new ball in hand. Dwayne Bravo will be the key player. His medium pace bowling and batting can become match winning performances.
It was India in 2007. Who will it be in 2009?
