Sport360's ICC World T20 Predictions: Can anyone stop India on home turf?

Sport360 staff 19:58 13/03/2016
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  • Who will win the World T20?

    With the ICC World T20 just days away, Sport360 journalists look at the teams to beat and predict who the tournament’s stand-out players are likely to be.

    Use #360fans to share with us some of your views on our selections.

    STEVE MCKENLAY, Editor

    Champions: It’s hard to look beyond India because as host nation they are familiar with the conditions and know exactly what tactics work best. On top of that they have a good skipper in MS Dhoni, a top, top batsman in Virat Kohli and bowlers who can wreak havoc.

    Dark horse: England. They may not have totally embraced this format in recent years but in Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler and Eoin Morgan they have players who, on their day, can deliver.

    Flop: Sri Lanka. They do not look to have the form, the players, or the appetite to win a big tournament like this.

    Best player: Virat Kohli. Grows in stature every year and on home territory should be a real game changer.

    JAMES PIERCY, Deputy Editor

    Champions: South Africa. If you were picking a fantasy batting line-up, AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis and JP Duminy would all be in contention. When you add in Quinton de Kock and a certain Hashim Amla and that’s some serious firepower. We don’t know how fit Dale Steyn is but alongside Kagiso Rabada that’s some 1-2 punch with the ball. They’ve also won eight of their last 10 T20 matches.

    Dark horse: West Indies. Potential champions or could lose all four. They just can’t be ignored.

    Flop: England. Weak bowling attack will leave too many huge totals to try and navigate.

    Best player: AB de Villiers. Has plenty of IPL and big tournament experience and, let’s be honest, is some cricketer.

    MARK LOMAS, Online Managing Editor

    Champions: India. Home soil, partisan crowd, batting line up in fine fettle and an excellent spin attack. It all seems perfectly set up for India to reclaim the crown they last won in 2007.

    Dark horse: West Indies. A mess off the pitch recently but unpredictable on it. Absence of Pollard and Narine will be felt but Badree ensures there’s quality with the ball, while Gayle and Bravo know the conditions well.

    Flop: Sri Lanka. Defeat to Bangladesh in Asia Cup exposed their shortcomings. No Jayawardene or Sangakkara to rely on any more, Dilshan well past his prime and Matthews too inconsistent.

    Best player: Virat Kohli. If India are to win, their premier batsman will be key. Seems to thrive on the pressure of big games.

    JOY CHAKRAVARTY, Regional Editor

    Champions: Just because historically the tag of being the favourites in World Cups has not augured well for teams, I will avoid India and go for South Africa.

    Perennial chokers, did you say? Well, when you have a team full of individuals who can turn around a match on their own, I am willing to take my chances.

    Dark horse: Australia. They are ranked seventh and come without much expectation in a format they have struggled with. Perfect time to make their move.

    Flop: West Indies. Just too much in-fighting and too many ageing stars in the team.

    Best player: Glenn Maxwell. Murderous with the bat. Useful with the ball. And sensational while fielding.

    JAIDEEP MARAR, Assistant Editor

    Champions: India. They have got the mix right, know the conditions and have the momentum going into the tournament.

    In captain MS Dhoni they have the perfect leader for the job.

    Dark horse: Bangladesh. They have the bowlers to unsettle the best of teams and their batsmen have shown the resilience to defy quality attacks.

    Flop: Sri Lanka. The defending champions are not in the best shape. Their batting is in a complete mess and the bowling too doesn’t inspire confidence.

    Best player: Rohit Sharma. He has an advantage of opening the innings and when he gets going, scores big.

    AJIT VIJAYKUMAR, Assistant News Editor

    Champions: Pakistan. While India seem to have everything going for them, the pressure of playing at home might work against them. Pakistan have that right mix of talent and experience. Plus they will be playing without pressure of expectation.

    Dark horse: Bangladesh. If they qualify for the Super 10s. Have some dangerous players and the team has stunned many top teams of late.

    Flop: Sri Lanka. The team is a complete mess at the moment. From batting to leadership, it’s all going wrong.

    Best player: Mohammad Amir. The way he has been bowling, he can make a big impact.

    DENZIL PINTO, Reporter

    Champions: India. Everything is clicking for them and have found their form at the right time. Have a number of match-winners in their squad particularly their batsmen and home conditions will be a big advantage.

    Dark horse: West Indies. Have a number of destructive players with Andre Russell, Dwayne Bravo and Chris Gayle. If they get going as a unit, just as they did in 2012, they will be hard to stop.

    Flop: Sri Lanka. The talent is there but the individuals are not playing to the best of their potential.

    Best player: Virat Kohli. He’s in top form, can score big against the best nations and will not be fazed by the pressure.

    Virat Kohli.

    Virat Kohli.

    BARNY READ, Online Deputy Editor

    Champions: England. Never has an England side looked more balanced and destructive than this. There are match winners running right through the side, but need everything to fall into place in alien conditions.

    Dark horse: New Zealand. Little will be expected without Brendon McCullum but with Kane Williamson and Martin Guptill in such dominant form, they should relish playing without pressure.

    Flop: West Indies. They have a host of match winners in the team but the infighting with the WICB gives them little incentive to go on and win the title.

    Best player: Mohammad Amir. Has been immense in the Asia Cup, expect this to continue as he returns to the world stage.

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