India started their title defense with a convincing victory over Bangladesh; who were expected to qualify along the defending champions to the super eights. But fate had some other plans as cricket minnows Ireland showed Bangladesh the exit door.
India's Harbhajan Singh and Skipper MS Dhoni
Though both India and Ireland have qualified for the Super eight but the win will certainly give psychological edge to the winner.
India seems to have quickly adjusted to the English conditions, after patchy show in the warm up match; they raised their level and crushed Bangladesh by 25 runs.
Defending champions have the best batting line up of the format; Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma top the order capable of turning game with their aggressive stroke play.
The team has gifted players like Suresh Raina who can adjust accordingly with the situation in this fastest format of cricket.
Yuvraaj Singh and Skipper MS Dhoni complete the ideal middle order and are a delight to watch when in flow, Pathan brothers provide additional depth to the side with their all round abilities.
RP Singh, Ishant Sharma and Praveen Kumar have been lethal with pace and swing through out the IPL 2 and are in good touch. Harbhajan Singh and P Ojha made their impact in the recently concluded league.
Ireland’s first foray into the shortest form of the game saw qualification for the World Cup secured with wins over Scotland, Bermuda and Kenya – this Associate tournament domination was achieved, amazingly, without a single IPL veteran.
Attack displaying their full potential against Bangladesh and an unseasonable thunderstorm against India might facilitate an escape from Group A. Further progress will depend on England poaching no more players.
Andre Botha. South African, batting at No4, seems well-suited to T20 – knocking 61 runs in the three qualifying matches.They have the likes of Niall O’Brien, Northants wicketkeeper and William PorterfielGloucestershire left-hand opening batsman who took the captaincy last year at the age of 23.
Boyd Rankin. Standing 6ft 8in tall the right-armer is capable of achieving serious bounce.
Over all team India is perfectly balanced, and surely are the favorites not only against Ireland but for the Cup too.
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