Its World Cup Time!
There's nothing more exciting than a T20 Cricket World Cup where a number of teams are tagged "Favorites". The 2012 edition of the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka will catch the eyes of cricket lovers around the globe when the Hosts will take on Zimbabwe in a Group C encounter on September 18th. This times experts are calling it the "Most Open Twenty20 so far" and it does promise to live up to this.
Right from the start, its been a format where you just can't predict a winner. Paul The Great Octopus might also have found if difficult given the fact that three different nations have gone on to win the title in the three editions. India, who were counted in the Underdogs, won the title during the inaugural T20 WC in the Rainbow Nation in 2007 followed by Pakistan, who fought hard to claim it the second time in England in 2009 and Finally (and I mean it) England won their 1st major Silverware when the drama unfolded in the Caribbean in just a year later in 2010.
The Action now takes us to the island nation of Sri Lanka and this time, stakes are high for sure! England, the current World Champions would look to defend their title without their Man of the Tournament last season, Kevin Pietersen. KP's absence would certainly hurt England, especially when he had shown signs of being in great touch before the so called controversial texts saw him out of his team, even if other players are saying that it won't. England would need a few heroics from players like Kieswetter, Bopara, Swann and Morgan to become the first team to win the trophy again.
Pakistan have always been a surprise package when it comes to cricket, be it any format. The unpredictable nature of this format gives them a chance to go the distance once again. They have players like Afridi, Ajmal, Gul and the Akmal brothers who can never be taken lightly.
The West Indies would also fancy their chances this time around as the Big Hitter from Jamaica Chris Gayle is back and back with a bang! They also have Narine who has done really well in this format in particular. The players like Dwayne Smith, Pollard and Dwayne Bravo add strength to their armory.
South Africa, a team that always shows the promise but fails at crucial junctures during the big tournaments, would look to wash off the "Chokers" tag. Their captain AB de Villiers has been confidant about his team doing well and why not? They have players like Kallis, Morkel, Steyn, Duminy to be confidant enough. Not to forget is the big hitting opener Richard Levi. If Levi fires at the top, he will be a headache for most opponents for sure!
Talking about India, they haven't really done well in a T20 World Cup after the inaugural edition when they clinched the title and they would certainly look to set it straight. The come back of Yuvraj Singh was a phenominal event. Both Harbhajan Singh and Balaji would also be looking to make most of the chance given by the national selectors. The key for India will always be their batting though. With players like Sehwag, Gambhir, Kohli, Raina, Yuvraj and the captain MS Dhoni, they do look a formidable batting unit. Add to that an Irfan Pathan, who is having a dream comeback and the likes of Rohit Sharma and Manoj Tiwary who must be eager to make most of every single chance given to them, and you have a very balanced side. Not to forget Ravi Ashwin here. He's shown a very good control in this format of the game and the recently concluded Test rubber against NZ would have certainly done him a world of good. India will also take heart from the fact that they have performed really well in Sri Lanka in recent years and the just concluded tour that they won comprehensively highlights this.
India won their first warm-up match against the Hosts with a thumping 26-run margin where Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni did a good job to post a competitive total on the board and then it was Irfan's Five-for ably supported by a 3 wicket haul from Balaji that sealed the match for India. So, very much a team performance we can say.
It was India vs Pakistan to follow. A warm-up game of course but when it comes to these two arch rivals, there's nothing such as warm-up. A very entertaining one indeed! Rohit Sharma once again batted well for his 56 and there was India's Youth Sensation - Virat Kohli with a magnificent 75* which helped India set a 186 run target. The bowlers, though, disappointed. Barring Ashwin, who bowled extremely well, everyone else was taken to cleaners by Umar Akmal, who once again produced a magnificent knock under pressure. His 92* along with Shoaib Malik's 37* made sure that Pakistan won it with their batting - their weak link!
For India, its not looking good. Bowling at the death has been an issue for quite some time now and the fielding could have been better. Lets hope they learn their lessons soon for its not a long tournament and there can be many more surprises to follow!
