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 Read Next Story If only Binayak had read some nonsense novels› Trending Stories Latest Photos Latest Videos Latest Web Stories ADVERTISEMENT Mid-Day Fast ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT