Nagpur
India Vs New zealand
The superb build-up run has made India the clear favourites for an unprecedented second World T20 title but the in-form hosts will have to guard against complacency when they take on a spirited New Zealand in their campaign-opener in Nagpur on Tuesday.
No host country has won the World T20 world title in the last five editions and none has repeated a title triumph, but India’s settled combination, led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni, and familiarity with the conditions make them the odds-on favourites to script history.
But in home conditions, India would be a big threat to the rest of the competitors, including New Zealand.
The minor hiccup in India’s build-up to this competition was their loss to South Africa by four runs in a practice match and this was perhaps a wake-up call for the team to avoid being complacent.
India do have the wherewithal and the personnel to script history and a win in tomorrow’s opening game at the VCA Stadium in Jamtha would give them the ideal momentum to take on the challenges ahead head-on.
Virat Kohli has been in terrific form, in the last two months. On top of his game, the Test skipper has made four half-centuries in seven innings, and two other scores in the 40s, besides leading four successful run-chases.
With an average of over 50 after 38 matches, he remains one of the players who will be feared by the opposition along with the equally talented Rohit Sharma who is set to play in his sixth WT20 championship.
Shikhar Dhawan’s form has been patchy at best but the knock of 73 he made in the warm-up game against South Africa should have given him as well as the team a considerably boost going into the tournament.
With the likes of Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh and Dhoni himself to follow apart from Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja, India can bat deep down the order.
A packed house, which will be a huge plus for India is expected to be treated to some thrilling on-field action at the Jamtha stadium.
