Tough task for India

Australia, South Africa and England could well get in the way of India's title defence

Tough task for India

Australia, South Africa and England could well get in the way of India's title defence

While torpedoing fond notions of India's vulnerability, the T20 world champions' imperious nine-wicket victory over Pakistan at the Oval yesterday confirmed captain MS Dhoni's explanation that his team's six-run defeat at the hands of New Zealand the previous day was the result of experimentation with the bowling attack and the absence of injured Virender Sehwag, Zaheer Khan and Yuvraj Singh.

The return to form of pace spearheads Mitchell Johnson and Brett Lee and the dazzling batting displays of Shane Watson, Brad Haddin and Ricky Ponting, the captain finally giving evidence of coming to terms with T20 cricket, in their comprehensive victories over spoilers Bangladesh and New Zealand, are causing some pundits here to assert that it would take a very brave person, indeed, to bet against Australia.

Impressive SA

Indian players celebrate the dismissal of Kamran Akmal at The Oval yesterday. PIC/AP

The formidable South Africans, who have picked perhaps their best-balanced team ever,u00a0 have also impressed in their warm-up games, with inspirational captain Graeme Smith and rehabilitated batsman Herschelle Gibbs revealing awesome form which, backed by the fastest pace attack of the tournament, brings them into contention for the title which eluded them at home last year and which Smith has pledged to return home with.

England, who gave the 20 overs version of the game to the cricketing world in an attempt to reverse dwindling attendances, are understandably keen to win at home.

Skipper Paul Collingwood has been conspicuously conservative in assessments of his team's chances, saying his team are underdogs, but beneath the veneer of modesty lurks a quiet confidence, following England's wins over West Indies yesterday in which Ravi Bopara and Luke Wright starred, following their demolition of Scotland.

KP's back

Collingwood's confidence is understandable, given the return to form of Kevin Pietersen, following injury, and the maturing of Ravi Bopara, John Anderson and Stuart Broad from exciting talents to match-winners.

The sell-out crowd on a warm English summer day yesterday belied the fact that the India-Pakistan encounter was a warm-up game, underscoring, yet again, the fact that no cricket match in all three forms of the game generates as much white-heat excitement than one between the Asian neighbours.

Despite India's comprehensive win yesterday when they chased down Pakistan's 158 for six for the loss of one wicket thanks to Rohit Sharma (80) and Gautam Gambhir (52 not out), much will depend on the level of fitness of the seasoned Sehwag, Yuvraj and Zaheer.

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