Talent-laden India favourites to win T20

MQONDISI DUBE
Staff Writer | Friday April 30, 2010 00:00

India will be searching for their second title since the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup in 2007 while reigning champions Pakistan will be looking to defend their title won in England last year. India won the first edition after defeating Pakistan in South Africa.

The Indians have sweet stroke makers in legends Sachin Tendulkar, and Mahindra Singh Dhoni but they will do without the elegant Virender Sehwag who is out injured.

The Indian Premier League (IPL), which concluded last Sunday, should have provided the Indians with enough practice ahead of what should be an exciting tournament.

The hosts, West Indies are rank outsiders for the title and will rely on the power of opening batsman and skipper, Chris Gayle. The towering Gayle is a dangerous player who holds the record of being the first bats men to score a T20 century.

But the man of the moment in the shorter version of the game is well built Kieron Pollard, who set the IPL ablaze with some powerful shot hitting.

He has an amazing strike rate and the onus of leading the West Indies charge will fall squarely on his shoulders.Pollard was the most expensive player in the IPL and justified his price tag with some swashbuckling shots, most of which went for the maximum.

There is veteran Dwayne Bravo who has not been at his best in recent years but can be relied upon with both the bat and ball.The Australians pose an ever-present threat and they can not be discounted. They have dominated both the 50 over game and the tests in recent months. In Shaun Tait they have a bowler capable of sending the stumps flying on any given day, taking into consideration his lightning pace. Tait recorded an amazing 160 kilometres/hour with the ball when Australia played Pakistan early this year.

With Brett Lee out of the tournament through injury, the bowling duties will fall to Tait and Mitchell Johnson who has been a consistent performer for the Aussies.

Captain Michael Clarke and Michael Hussey should be the dangermen with the bat. But the Australians' preparations received a dent when they lost by one run to Zimbabwe in a warm-up match on Tuesday.

Holders, Pakistan, are not the same team that conquered all at the last tournament. Their disastrous tour to Australia in February opened a Pandora's box as a number of players were suspended after that.

Allegations of infighting engulfed the team, leaving the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) with no option but to hand heavy fines which is likely to disrupt the champions' rhythm.

Focus should be squarely on pinch hitter, Shahidi 'Boom Boom' Afridi who is an entertainer par excellence.

The bearded right-handed batsman has on many occasions been the Pakistanis' saviour.

South Africa, so much feared but underachieving, will also be among the front-runners for the elusive title. The Proteas have seen the 50 overs title elude them for years and they have not made headway in the T20 either.

In Jacque Kallis, the South Africans have a reliable all-rounder who can hit the ball hard and induce the reverse swing when he comes in as a change bowler.

Captain Graeme Smith, who had to return from India with a broken finger has recovered and should open the batting.

Dale Steyn, South Africa's strike bowler should receive ample support from AB Morkel who is the leading wicket taker in this format of the game.

Sri Lanka are dark horses and will rely on the exploits of death bowling expert, Lasith Malinga who is arguably the world's best in delivering yorkers. Expect stumps to fly when the bushy haired-Malinga has the ball in his hands.

England are not counted among the favourites but Paul Collingwood's experience in the IPL should come in handy. New Zealand are inconsistent but can spring a surprise. They have three aces in their sleeves in captain, Daniel Vettori, Brendan McCullum and the dangerous Ross Taylor.

Bangladesh and Zimbabwe should seize the opportunity as they have struggled in one day internationals and tests.Both have potent spinners, which should prove crucial on slow Caribbean wickets.