1. T20 World: Top Contenders by Cricket
today
in Sports / Extreme Sports (submitted 2014-03-15)
The T20 World Cup is few days away with lots of expectations
from the big power houses of world cricket. West Indies have a
tough task of defending their crown while the likes of Sri Lanka,
South Africa, New Zealand and Australia would like to add this
trophy in their cabinet. Here is a look at the top contenders of
the World Cup.
India
Team India is always ranked among the leading contenders of
any tournament and the upcoming T20 World Cup is no
different. They have top quality batsmen in their team but the
bowlers are poor than school children's. Virat Kohli, Yuvraj
Singh and MS Dhoni are the match winners but same can't be
said about the bowlers. The pitches in Bangladesh will assist
spinners so R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja will have to look out
for wickets.
Group: B
Prediction: Group Stage Exit
Australia
If anyone saw them playing against South Africa in the recently
concluded T20 series, then it won't be difficult to judge them for
the upcoming T20 world. Forget about the firing guns like
Aaron Finch, David Warner, Glenn Maxwell and Shane Watson,
the veteran Brad Hodge is the player to watch out for in
Bangladesh. Mitchell Starc is the quality fast bowler even in this

2. format of the game and his partnership with Nathan Coulter-Nile
could prove decisive.
Group: B
Prediction: Winner
West Indies
They won the last edition of the T20 World Cup but repeating
this feat again won't be easy for them. They have players like
Chris Gayle, Darren Sammy, Dwayne Bravo, Marlon Samuels
and Andre Russell, who can win matches single handedly while
the likes of Sunil Narine is enough to contain the batsmen from
world over. However, the loss of Pollard and the pressure of
being the reigning champion could pressurize them in this year's
competition.
Group: B
Prediction: Group Stage Exit
Pakistan
This is one team who is always on the contender list because of
their past record in the T20 World Cups. Pakistan is full of
match winners. From Hafeez to Afridi, Umar Akmal to Shoaib
Malik there is no end to the availability of power hitters in the
side. Saeed Ajmal is the best spinner in the world, who is
renowned for taking wickets in huge numbers against the rivals.
Playing him is next to impossible on the spin friendly pitches
and Bnagladesh certainly has that kind of tracks. However, they
lack consistency.
Group: B
Prediction: Semifinalist
Sri Lanka

3. They have been unlucky not to win this event. Sri Lanka has
always played well in the T20 World Cups and the same is
expected from them in Bangladesh. Mahela Jayawardene,
Kumar Sangakkara, Angelo Mathews, Kushal Perera, TM
Dilshan, Lasith Malinga, Ajantha Mendis and Sachithra
Senanayake have got impressive track record in the slam bang
version of the game. They will be one of the teams to watch out
for in Bangladesh.
Group: A
Prediction: Runners-up
South Africa
They have all the talent in the world to win any tournament on
papers but have proved failures on the ground. Faf du Plessis,
AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, David Miller, Dale Steyn and Albie
Morkel are star players but haven't played as a group in the past
tournaments and could continue doing so in the T20 World Cup,
which will be played in Bangladesh.
Group: A
Prediction: Group Stage Exit
England
The selectors have ended the career of their best batsman Kevin
Pietersen and his absence will surely cost them. Their
participation in the tournament is just a formality as they won't
cross group stage. Michael Lumb, Alex Hales, Eoin Morgan and
Stuart Broad might record some good performances otherwise
this team has a tendency of failing when exposed to spin
bowling on the turning tracks.
Group: A
Prediction: Group Stage Exit

4. New Zealand
They are the dark horse of the big event. They have played good
cricket in the recent times and could reach the knockout stage.
Ross Taylor, Brendon McCullum, Corey Anderson, Martin
Guptill, Nathan McCullum, Jimmy Neesham and Tim Southee
are tailor made for the shortest format, who could change the
complexion of the game in a span of few overs.
Group: A
Prediction: Group Semifinalist
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