All the Indians who figure in the WT20 squad, played in the IPL that ended two weeks ago and here they are, playing for their country in England. That's the way the modern game goes and no one is complaining.
People ask how the players adjust to so much cricket, and yet strive to dish out their best. The answer is simple, players, these days, know when to taper off preparations and when to step them up, thus keeping themselves fresh.
Each player is handed a training schedule and it is up to him to implement it.
The warm-up is usually together, a game of football or so and an intense fielding session where the whole team works together, but it's also about people training a lot on their own. In earlier times, you were considered arrogant if you went off and trained by yourself but times have changed.
The focus though is never lost and right now it is only the league matches the team will be thinking of. India's batting is, of course, pretty powerful.
Rohit Sharma, especially, has been in tremendous form and it augurs well. Rohit may have succeeded in the warm-ups as an opener but, I, for one, believe that if Virender Sehwag is fit, Rohit will have to move down to three or four. It doesn't pay to tinker too much with your order in big tournaments.
{{/usCountry}}Rohit Sharma, especially, has been in tremendous form and it augurs well. Rohit may have succeeded in the warm-ups as an opener but, I, for one, believe that if Virender Sehwag is fit, Rohit will have to move down to three or four. It doesn't pay to tinker too much with your order in big tournaments.
{{/usCountry}}The bowling too is in good hands even if some of the bowlers went for runs in the practice games. The move to have Ishant Sharma in the middle overs is a good one and has worked well.
With a slightly older ball and the field spread, Ishant seems to be relaxed and that is important. The team think-tank, which would dearly want Zaheer Khan fit and back, will probably continue having Ishant bowling in the middle and should he strike a good partnership with a spinner at the other end, it will be of great help to the side.
In T20, bowling partnerships are crucial even if it is for two or four overs. If you manage to follow up one good over with another, the other side could well lose its way.
Dhoni's boys though don't look as if they will lose the plot, with most things suggesting that they have a very good chance of retaining the title. It's a question of taking it one match at a time.