adminNEW DELHI. — Twenty20 cricket’s show-piece tournament begins in earnest today as India, once so sniffy about the glitzy World T20, get the group stages underway for the first time on home soil.
The build-up has been marred by rows over security for Pakistan and the late release of tickets, while the holders Sri Lanka are mired in turmoil.
But the controversies have done little to dampen the fervour of Indian fans who believe skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni has a date with destiny at the April 3 final at Kolkata’s iconic Eden Gardens.
India, hosting the tournament for the first time, begin the group stages with a match in Nagpur against New Zealand today.
Dhoni is expected to retire after the tournament and his team will be desperate to give him a fairytale send-off, five years after he led them to victory on home soil in the 50-over World Cup.
The man known as “Captain Cool” is trying to keep expectations in check, saying the 2007 champions “are looking to make a slow and steady progress, rather than thinking too far ahead”.
But retired opener Virender Sehwag, Dhoni’s team-mate in the 2011 World Cup triumph, reflected the overwhelming mood of confidence when he said he was “99 percent certain” India would clinch a second World T20 title.
Dhoni was handed the T20 captaincy for the inaugural tournament in South Africa in 2007 when established stars such as Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid stayed at home.
India’s board, worried about the impact of Twenty20 cricket on the 50-over game, only reluctantly agreed to send a team to ensure the right to host the 2011 World Cup.
One senior board official lamented the tournament would be “a circus and our players will be clowns”, according to The Times of India.
The 2007 triumph, all the sweeter as it came over arch-rivals Pakistan, transformed the board’s perception of the game and spurred it into creating the money-spinning Indian Premier League (IPL).
The fireworks and dancing girls that are integral to an evening’s entertainment at the IPL should be even more prominent in the World T20.
T20 matches involving India are guaranteed sell-outs and the format’s popularity has put question marks over the future of Test cricket.
After 10 wins in their last 11 games, few teams have begun a tournament as such strong favourites and India don’t have many obvious weaknesses.
Powerful openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan have hit a purple patch, building platforms that allow star batsman Virat Kohli to let rip.
Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin should thrive on home wickets and paceman Mohammed Shami’s comeback after lengthy injury problems is a major boon.
“This is a pretty formidable side at the moment and I think the all-around ability of this team is what excites me,” said Dravid. — AFP.
Online Reporter