2009 T20 World Cup: Indian team odds?

The IPL is history and here comes the T-20 world cup. As fans get over their withdrawal symptoms , its time to brush off the bollywood times of cricket and don the national colours. Team India are defending champions but are they ready to win?

Let’s take a look at the Indian Team for the T20 World Cup 2009:

Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Virender Sehwag (vice-captain), Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, Yusuf Pathan, Rohit Sharma, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma, Praveen Kumar, R P Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Pragyan Ojha and Irfan Pathan.

Here's what might matter -

1. IPL performance based form:

a. Young talent: super performances from Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Pragyan Ojha , RP Singh, Ravindra Jadeja are good signs.

b. Good News, Bad News: None of the stars really fired with match winning performances. at the IPL Sehwag and Gambhir out of form, Dhoni, Yuvraj & Y Pathan very inconsistent , Zaheer injured and Harbhajan not really at full potential. If they dont get into form or adjust to English conditions, it will be hard. But perhaps they will peak now and IPL lacklustre was a good thing – well , only if the glass is half full.

2. Conditions: The conditions will be critical and seam should play a big role. With Zaheer struggling for fitness, Ishant tormented by KKR results, its only RP (who is having the time of his life) - and he may find it a huge burden to bear.

3. Home (dis) advantage? : Nasir Hussain once commented that he was disappointed with the crowds as the stands were full of British (Indians) fans who supported India. So the diaspora will be out in full force and maybe there’s no home advantage lost.

4. Bench?: They will probably start with Ishant, Bhajji instead of Ojha, I Pathan (& even Ravindra Jadeja) . That might be a mistake & there's no time for mistakes . (this is a 2 week tournament unlike the IPL)

So net, i think the big names need to strike form (Sehwag, Gambhir and Yuvraj in particular) and Dhoni needs to get the balance of the side right for India to make the finals.