Twenty20 World Cup / Ed Hawkins / 03 June 2009 /

They are the defending champions, have by far the most experienced squad after two years of IPL and the most experienced captain in MS Dhoni. But are they value as the market leaders to win the whole thing, asks Ed Hawkins.

India are so strong that they could field two teams for the World Twenty20 and both would be jostle for top position in the betting. There is no place for Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid or Sourav Ganguly. But they won't be missed. Of the top 10 batsmen and bowlers respectively in the IPL, India's squad accounted for half of them. If they successfully defend the crown they won in 2007, India's love affair with Twenty20 will reach levels of infatuation.

Key Batsman

Forget Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir - their form in South Africa for the IPL did not come up to scratch to take this mantle. Step forward Suresh Raina, the fourth highest runscorer in the tournament. He also hit 21 sixes, a figure only bettered by Matt Hayden and Adam Gilchrist. Often when a young Indian batsman arrives in England - Raina is just 22 - there are doubts about how he will play the moving ball. They were dispelled when he hit a thrilling 45 from 24 balls against New Zealand at Lord's on Monday. Raina is a value-busting [5.50] for top India bat.

Key Bowler

Oddly, India have only one bowler in the top 10 of Twenty20 all-time wicket-takers. It is Irfan Pathan. His canny left-arm swingers should be crucial in a tournament where variety will be the spice of keeping alive in the cut-throat Super Eights. However, it is Ishant Sharma, who has already been championed in our top tournament bowler article, that should be the star. With swing, seam movement and his death bowling likely to boost his tally, Sharma will be India's go-to man.

The Captain

'The lift doesn't go all the way to the top' and 'MS Doh!-ni' were two jibes aimed at the India captain early on in his career. But underestimate this guy at your peril. What MS lacks in tactical brilliance - a rare commodity anyway in today's play-it-safe game - he makes up for in inspiration. His players would run to The Oval and back if he asked them to. Dhoni is also by far the most experienced captain in this tournament having led Chennai Super Kings in two IPLs.
Conclusion

Undoubtedly they are the team to beat. But are they value at a market-leading [4.90]? No. Their Super Eight group is just too tough to warrant backing them at such short odds. In matches against Australia and South Africa, the market may make it a pick affair while England will pray for swing under lights at Lord's when they meet on June 14.

'.$sign_up['title'].'

'; } } ?>

:

:

:

?

: