The ICC T20 World Cup 2016 Super-10 stage kicks-off on Tuesday with favorites India taking on New Zealand in their first game of the tournament. The match will be played at the Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) Stadium in Nagpur. The two teams are a part of Group 2 of the Super-10 stage. After a tremendously successful campaign leading to the T20 World Cup 2016, India are coming into the T20 World Cup 2016 with an ambition to win the trophy for the second time. They have hopes and expectations of millions of fans to fulfil. And with their convincing performances in the past 2-3 months, Team India has shown that they are more than capable of lifting the T20 World Cup 2016.
While in 2007, there might not have been many who thought that a young side under a new and inexperienced captain would go on to lift the trophy. But aspirations speak for themselves this time round. With a balanced team, a dashing top-order, a gutsy all-round force, and a blend in the bowling department is heralded by a man who has all the necessary tricks in his kitty to take the ICC World T20 2016 by storm.
The challenge for Dhoni and his men in the first game will not be easy. They will take on Brendon McCullum-less New Zealand, who are being termed among favourites too. While the Indian cricket team is being advised to remain wary on New Zealand, here are 5 reasons why the first match of ICC World T20 2016 could be a one-way traffic.
1. India’s top-order at its peak: What has been India’s key strength in the T20 format for the past three series? Who has got the most amount of runs for India in the past three months? The answer is simple. The way Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have executed their plans in the T20 series in Australia, the home-series against Sri Lanka and during the Asia Cup in Bangladesh, it has proven that India have perhaps the best top three at present. A close analysis shows that all three of them have scored runs all around the park. For any team, it is crucial that the top-three batsman fire and get runs on the board. Against New Zealand as well, the top-order will be looking to lay the foundation for the finishers so that they can come and unveil their strike power right from the first ball. Kohli might have has a rare miss against South Africa but the way Shikhar showed his destructive best was a trailer of what can be expected from India in the T20 World Cup. And that is ruthlessness.
2. A dangerous middle-order: There is a common belief in cricket that if you get a wicket, it might get easy for you. But it may not be the case with this Indian team’s batting line-up. As you get deeper, the explosive abilities almost double-up. With one of the world’s best T20 batsman in Suresh Raina, who has mastery in finishing off games for India, there is Yuvraj Singh whose six-sixes in an over off Stuart Broad in the 2007 edition of the World T20 haven’t been forgotten. He has slowly bounced back to his best and might send a few out of the park against New Zealand’s pacers. Then, there is MS Dhoni, who can really spoil any team’s day. New Zealand, will be hoping to keep the ‘Helicopter’ at bay.
3. The ‘we-can-do-everything’ all-rounders: In what has stood out after India’s batting potentials the most, is its ability to show skills with both bat and ball. And not just bat and ball, this new Indian team can do a lot more than just bat and bowl. They can fly, they can dive and they can hit the bull’s eye. From Ravindra Jadeja’s flat throws and outstanding catches to Hardik Pandya’s bowling performances. The all-rounders in the team have done three very important things. Firstly, they have given more bowling options to Dhoni. Second, they have reduced the role of finishing the innings on Dhoni. And third, which has been a delight to watch, is that how these youngsters have raised the fielding standards of each individual in the team.
4. ‘Spin’ is India’s weapon: If the ball turns, the opposition is undone. How many times have we seen India on top when the ball starts to turn? Quite a lot. Over the past years, Dhoni and team India have sent out a clear message to teams around the world, which is: ‘spin is our weapon’. India have used it to the fullest to their potential. Ravichandran Ashwin has grown immensely both in skill and experience. Jadeja has been more than handy, and has emerged as a perfect partner for Ashwin. Their combination has been even more menacing for oppositions. Dhoni, on the other hand, has always shown trust in his spinners and at times at his part-timers, whether it is Raina or Yuvraj. Quite evidently, they have delivered too. India’s faith will again be on ‘spin’ during this T20 World Cup 2016, especially when pitches are expected to turn.
5. Dhoni’s luck: Finally, the most pivotal factor for the Indian team will be how Dhoni goes about in yet another ICC tournament. Dhoni, has won the T20 World Cup, the ODI World Cup, the Champions Trophy and has been a hero ever since his arrival in international cricket. He was at his commanding best while batting against South Africa in the warm-up match. But the best part about his batting is the amount of trust and responsibility he carries with himself. If Dhoni has a good World Cup, India should find their road easy. Not just in terms of batting though, but his captaincy as well. Also, he has a knack of pulling out game-changing tricks from the bag on big occasions. This World T20 cannot be different.
