Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: Defending champions India will walk into the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup as firm favourites, and few voices carry more weight on the subject than Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The former India captain, who famously led the side to the inaugural T20 World Cup title in 2007, believes the hosts have all the ingredients required to go deep in the tournament, while also underlining the fine margins that can undo even the strongest teams in the shortest format.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, open their campaign against the United States at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on Saturday. The top-ranked side arrives on the back of a dominant 4-1 series win over New Zealand, extending their run to nine consecutive bilateral T20 series victories and reinforcing their status as pre-tournament favourites on home soil.
Explaining why Team India stands out, Dhoni said: “It’s one of the most dangerous teams. You know, they would have already started, batting or bowling. But what all is needed in a good team and everything is there. They have the experience. Especially when it comes to this format, the experience is vast. They have played under pressure. Whoever is playing, whatever roles they are playing in the team, they have been in that situation for a considerable period of time.”However, Dhoni was quick to point out his biggest concern ahead of the tournament. “What worries me again, I hate dew. Dew changes a lot of things. So even when I was playing something that really scared me was dew where the toss becomes crucial and all of that,” he said. “If you are playing 10 matches with some of the best teams, we will come out as winners more often than not if the conditions remain, condition is neutral and all of that.”Dhoni also highlighted the unpredictability that defines T20 cricket. “The problem is when some of your players have a day off and somebody from the opposition has a brilliant day. And it can happen in T20 cricket,” he said, stressing the importance of timing and luck. “Whether it happens in a league stage, whether it happens in the knockout stage, that’s where all the prayings are needed. Nobody should get injured. Whatever roles are given, people should accomplish their roles for the team.”He signed off with a familiar note of caution: “And if that’s the case, I don’t want to jinx it by saying anything but it’s one of the most dangerous teams.”
