Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: India’s dominant showing in the recent series against New Zealand underlined why the defending champions are expected to be among the toughest teams to beat at the T20 World Cup starting February 7, former Australia cricketer-turned-coach Michael Klinger said. According to Klinger, India’s aggressive top-order core makes them arguably the strongest side heading into the ICC showpiece. Klinger is currently the head coach of WPL franchise Gujarat Giants.“With the form they’re in and what I saw recently against New Zealand, India are going to be extremely difficult to beat. A team will probably have to catch them on a bad night in a final to beat them,” Klinger told PTI.
Highlighting Abhishek Sharma’s emergence as a key part of India’s new top-order blueprint, Klinger said the young opener has been one of the most exciting aspects of the side’s evolution.“Abhishek Sharma is probably my new favourite player. I’ve been watching him for a while now. Opening with Travis Head in the IPL and now doing it at international level, he’s fearless and amazing to watch,” said Klinger, who featured in three T20Is for Australia and played 182 first-class matches.India’s attacking intent at the top was evident through the performances of Abhishek and Ishan Kishan, with the pair repeatedly putting the New Zealand bowlers under pressure.“Ishan Kishan has come back in fantastic form and is certainly putting a case forward to start in the XI at the World Cup,” he said, while also pointing out that India’s growing depth has turned selection into a welcome headache.However, Klinger warned that India will not have it easy in the tournament, with traditional rivals also boasting strong squads.“Australia and South Africa are strong teams. South Africa, coming off a lot of T20 cricket recently, will be dangerous as well,” he said.
