T20 World Cup 2021: Five reasons why India can win the tournament

The upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2021 is going to begin on October 17 in Oman and UAE. It is at this stage where a player’s caliber, mettle and adaptability are tested the most. How well the team has performed in the past does not matter as any team can beat one of the stronger teams during the global event. The format of the T20 is also very unpredictable, and within few balls, the course of the match changes. So as cliché as it may sound it, is not over unless it is over.

As per the predictions of many experts, India, West Indies, and England are favorites to win the seventh edition of the T20 World Cup. All the above-mentioned teams have won the previous editions and know a thing or two about winning crunch games under pressure. But this time the majority of experts have gone with India as favorites due to their tremendous form and X-factor players.

The T20 World Cup will be played in UAE, which comparatively aids spinners more than the pacers. The BCCI selectors have naturally packed the squad with five frontline spinners and have opted to go with horses for courses formula. Apart from that, even the batting looks good, with usual suspects like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma controlling the innings well together. India does look strong and should be optimistic of bagging their second title after winning the inaugural edition in 2007.

Meanwhile, here are 5 reason why India are favorites to win the T20 World Cup 2021:

1. MS Dhoni as a mentor

The BCCI selectors bowled a googly of sorts and announced MS Dhoni as the mentor for the upcoming T20 World Cup. In the past six editions of the global event, the 40-year-old led India, and during this edition, he will play the role of a mentor. Without a doubt, Dhoni remains the best tactician of the game. His understanding of the pitches,  conditions, and players makes him one of the best.

The way he has led CSK in the ongoing IPL is a testimony to the fact that how well he has captained the side.
During one of the games played at Sharjah, Dhoni told the bowlers to maintain tight lines and lengths as the odd balls were keeping low. The bowlers followed what the captain said and restricted the opponent to a manageable total.

It is this very sound understanding of the game that Dhoni will bring to the table when he will be in charge of team India as the mentor. India skipper Virat Kohli also trusts him, and that is one of the crucial factors that will work well for the team. It is no guarantee that Dhoni’s presence will bring India the World Cup but one thing is sure there will be a sense of calmness in the proceedings.

2. Star-Studded top three

After the conclusion of the limited-overs series against England, Kohli said during the post-match press conference that he will open the batting alongside Rohit Sharma. The Indian skipper has had success while opening the batting, and as Gautam Gambhir said, it is his natural game to play the sheet anchor role in the team. Kohli can open as well bat at his preferred position of number three.

Speaking about India’s white-ball vice-captain, he can play the anchor role as well hit the top gear once he is settled. Rohit Sharma’s numbers in the T20Is are second to none. He follows the same template as he follows in the ODIs, wherein he starts off slow before accelerating as only he can. His effortless ease in clearing the ropes also makes him one of the biggest six-hitters going around. So far, he struck 133 sixes in 111 T20Is.

So Kohli and Rohit Sharma can form a deadly combination. Suryakumar Yadav as well as Ishan Kishan have been tried by India during the recent matches at the pivotal number three position. Both the players have grabbed their chances and have done well. India has the option of going with KL Rahul as well at the number three or Kohli can walk in there. Either way, the Men in Blue surely have an enviable top three amongst other top teams.

3. X-Factor players like Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan

The Mumbai Indians (MI) duo have made a grand start to their India career. While Yadav announced his arrival in style by dispatching Jofra Archer over the fine leg on his debut game, Ishan Kishan looked fearless in his debut T20I innings for India against England. Both these players have X- factor abilities and can change the complexion of the game within a few overs.

Both these players can also bat at any position in the middle-order and play the spin well. Yadav strikes at 169.51 in four T20Is so far and Kishan 145.45 in three T20Is. Both like to attack from the onset and can easily put the bowlers on the backfoot by hitting off boundaries. The duo also have experience of the UAE conditions and know how to play under pressure.

4. Variety of spin bowling options

The selectors sprung a huge surprise by recalling Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel into the side for the global event. Both the players have not played a T20I for more than two years. But the selectors felt on current form and their experience, Ashwin and Patel deserve to be in the 15-member squad. Barring these two spinners, Ravindra Jadeja, Rahul Chahar, and Varun Chakravarthy are the remaining three spinners.

There is variety in each of the five spinners chosen. Ashwin will bring traditional off-spin, Chahar will bring in his leg-spin element, Patel and Jadeja will bring be left-arm spin, and Chakravarthy will bring in his mystery element. With such varied and diverse attack, India can be a handful to any opposition on the slow and low UAE pitches.

It is still not clear as to whom the management will go as their first-choice spinners but either which ways, each of the five spin bowling options can win the matches singlehandedly.

5. Brilliant death bowlers

India looked a different side as soon as Bhuvneshwar Kumar came back from an injury against the team’s limited-overs series against England. Kumar’s miserly bowling coupled with a happy knack of picking wickets at the power play and death overs helped India win the series. In the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, Kumar led the bowling attack diligently. His disciplined line and lengths, coupled with accurate death overs bowling, make him an asset to the team.

Meanwhile, Bumrah’s pace and control make him a deadly bowler. Overall in just 49 T20Is, he has taken 59 wickets at a good average of 20.25. The Mumbai Indians bowler is also pretty much consistent in taking wickets at the powerplay and dearth overs. The combination and Kumar and Bumrah will perfectly compliment the spinners during the T20 World Cup.