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In form, India can win title again

The English love their sport, and their current fix is T20 cricket. The sentiment in London is that, unless something goes horribly wrong, defending champions India have the team and the wherewithal to defend their crown, writes Arjun Sen.

Updated on: Jun 5, 2009, 24:33:41 IST
Hindustan Times | By , London
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The English love their sport, and their current fix is T20 cricket. The football season long over, and still a fair way to go for the Ashes, talk around the pubs around London centres on the World T20.

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HT Image

The sentiment in London is that, unless something goes horribly wrong, defending champions India have the team and the wherewithal to defend their crown.

And it isn’t hard to see why.

They annihilated Pakistan, runners-up in the last edition, at the Oval on Wednesday.

Arguably the most balanced team in the fray– though South Africa might have something to say about that – MS Dhoni’s men have what it takes to conquer the world once again.

There has not been much change from the title-winning team of 2007, which could work to India’s advantage.

Batting should not worry coach Gary Kirsten—the IPL has given invaluable experience to younger batsmen like Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina.

The one chink, however, the team management would like to iron out is bowling at the death. The bowlers went for plenty in the last five-six overs both against New Zealand and Pakistan after keeping it tight for the rest of the innings.

South Africa, Australia and New Zealand look like the major threats to India, with the Kiwis having beaten India in every T20 game between the two. Australia's chances could potentially be hit hard by the unceremonious exit of Andrew Symonds, especially with the all-rounder being in form. In the end, however, it could still be India's title to lose. It all begins on Friday.

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