Everything went according to plan for Mahendra Singh Dhoni & Co in the Asia Cup. Batsmen flourished, bowlers stood up to the challenge and fielders rarely floundered as they claimed the title for the sixth time to assert their superiority in Asia.
The latest triumph, coming on the back of the 3-0 high in Australia in January and a 2-1 success at home against Sri Lanka last month, puts India in the right frame of mind for the upcoming World Twenty20.
Having shown such imperious form home fans will be justified in expecting nothing less than a title in the global tournament.
Their ability to overcome tough situations will be the biggest takeaway from this tournament.
They were tested by Pakistan in the league phase and Bangladesh in the final but they came out of those difficult phases smelling of roses.
Virat Kohli once again proved why he is currently the hottest property in international cricket with a standout display against Mohammad Amir during a tense chase against Pakistan.
He extended that to the final Sunday with a determined approach and stayed until the finish to see India through.
While everything went swimmingly for the Indians, hosts Bangladesh have every reason to hold their heads high despite the defeat in the final.
The 10th-ranked team repeatedly punched above their weight upsetting former World Twenty20 champions Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
They were the most disciplined bowling unit in the tournament and did not concede a single extra in the crunch games against Pakistan and India.
It is a shame they have to go through a qualifying round at the World Twenty20 before they can join the big teams in the Super 10 but expect the Tigers to roar in India as well.
Pakistan and Sri Lanka will be disappointed with their performances but they can take solace in the knowledge that pitches at the World Twenty20 will be far different to the spicy strips laid out in Dhaka.
The tracks in India will play to their strengths and will be to their batsmen and spinners’ liking. But that also applies to the rampaging Indians, which makes them overwhelming favourites to regain the crown they last won in South Africa, nine years ago.
It is not as if Dhoni’s side don’t possess any weaknesses, especially in a format where the complexion of a game can change in a flash.
Indian bowlers can be taken for runs in the slog overs as Bangladesh batsmen proved yesterday by creaming 45 in the last 20 balls while Amir showed that with tact and skill their hugely successful top order can be prised open.
However, unlike most other teams who are still struggling to find the right combinations, India enter the tournament with the perfect line-up suited for home conditions.
More importantly almost every member of the squad now has considerable match time under his belt to be fully prepared for any eventuality. They are also high on confidence having won 10 out of 11 games this year.
Another aspect that puts them in the driver’s seat is the captaincy where MS Dhoni towers over the rest with his immense knowledge, tact and experience.
It will not be a surprise if India win the World Twenty20 title, but it will be a big upset if they don’t.
