Will India win the ICC World T20 2016?

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Every India fan remembers this moment- Wanderers Stadium, 2007. Sreesanth standing at short fine leg grabbed a simple catch off Joginder Sharma’s delivery to dismiss Misbah-ul-Haq, India clinch the first ever ICC World t20 tournament. The selectors' faith in the long haired captain- MS  Dhoni had been repaid. It was the start of a series of tournament wins under 'Mahi' as they call him.

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The refreshed MS Dhoni will once again look to conquer this title and sign off on a high.
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Dhoni, who later became famous as the man with the golden touch, raised many eyebrows when he asked the inexperienced Joginder Sharma to bowl the ultimate over of the match. Pakistan needed 13 runs off 6 balls, with one wicket in hand. Over a billion hearts were beating fast in both the countries.

First ball wide, second ball dot, third ball six…Pakistan dressing room heaved a sigh of relief, thinking that the T20 trophy was within their reach. But what happened next, was just a miracle. Misbah tried to scoop the ball over fine leg but was unluckily caught by Sreesanth who was stationed at short fine leg to take the catch. The Indian team had won the first ever T20 World Cup and Joginder Sharma became the national hero in no time. It was a historical win and the sculptor Dhoni had carved a beautiful sculpture.

This time, 9 years later, he is leading his team on home soil with a billlion people backing him. Though the Indians came closer in 2014, they were outdone by their neighbours Sri Lanka who went on to win their first ever T20 World Cup in 2014. As the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup 2016 is inching closer, talks about who will make it to the final have already started.

Office goers are discussing the strengths and weaknesses, the college students are placing their bets on favourite players. The squad was announced recently and the inclusion of Delhi’s Pawan Negi has been a surprise to many. India has a good mix of experience and young blood, when you see names like Ashish Nehra, Harbhajan Singh, Yuvraj Singh on one hand and Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya on the other. There are just a few players who were there when India lifted the T20 World Cup under the able leadership of Dhoni.

Opener Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been in sublime touch Down Under. Their form will affect India's performance. 

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With regards to leadership, India is blessed to have the same captain in Dhoni. Three other players: Rohit Sharma, Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh, will carry their bags full of experience into this year’s T20 World Cup. India is one side which is difficult to beat in their own backyard. Taking this in their stride, India will certainly start off as the favourites. India is placed in a tough group with Australia, New Zealand, Bangladesh and arch rivals Pakistan.

Looking at the Indian squad, a lot will depend on the man in form Virat Kohli, southpaw Suresh Raina and opening bat Rohit Sharma. Rohit. Virat seems to be in his purple patch post his envious success Down Under in January.

Both Rohit and Virat have come out strong and have shown the world what they are made up of. India’s best batsman Kohli replaced Aussie’s Aaron Finch as the no.1 T20 international batsman, with a staggering average of 50.62 and 12 half centuries in just 31 outings. A lot will depend on this man and he knows it. On paper, India’s batting line-up looks formidable and can threaten the best bowling attacks. Where India scores 10 on 10 in the batting department, the bowling has sometimes let them down. 

Contributions from experienced players like Yuvraj, Nehra, Harbhajan will come handy for captain Dhoni.
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The dearth of quality spinners and express fast bowlers has hampered India’s bowling. The selection of Harbhajan Singh and Ashish Nehra will add to the bowling prowess. They will not only do their jobs but also mentor young boys like Bumrah, Pandya and Negi. MS Dhoni always stressed on having multi-utility players. Today he has the likes of Yuvraj Singh, Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja in his kitty and this should boost his confidence for the upcoming ICC competition.

Apart from batting and bowling, it is a known fact that the best fielding side has an edge over the teams with a mediocre fielding. When you know you have Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina and Ajinkya Rahane, the bowlers feel secure, because they know that these gems can surely protect 25-30 runs. They are fast, they are sharp, they can dive full stretch and they can hit stumps at their will. A good fielding side can take the game away from the side which is in a winning position. They spread positive vibes on the ground through their constant chirping and talking.

When I say this, it is Suresh Raina, who comes to my mind. He is so active on the field that even if he is standing in the deep, he will come all the way to the bowler to congratulate him for a wicket or if he has some strategy in mind. A few years back, India was never known to be a great fielding side, but with time, things change and so has India’s fielding.

All the odds are in India’s favour. India has all the ingredients cook the T20 win yet again, now it is only up to them how they capitalize on their resources. Once again all the 1.25 billion Indians will come together to cheer their team and let’s hope that on the 3^rd of April the Eden Gardens bleeds BLUE.