World Cup T20 2014: A look at teams in Group 2
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The qualifiers of this edition of the World Cup T20 have given us an idea of how strong the supposedly weakest teams are in the tournament. While predicting the outcome of a T20 game is a pointless exercise, let us assess the strengths and weaknesses of the teams in Group 2:
West Indies:
The defending champions are the most explosive batting unit of the tournament. Their bowling is often underrated in T20s. They are still the team to beat in the tournament.
Strengths: Boom boom, boom boom, and Sunil Narine.
Weaknesses: Temperament and running between the wickets, although it can be argued if they need it.
Vulnerable areas: Even with such a batting line-up, they have always been vulnerable when it comes to chasing targets. Negotiating off-spinners early on in the innings hasn’t been easy for Chris Gayle, and hence it will be an interesting battle between him and Mohammad Hafeez/ Ravichandran Ashwin.
Key Players: Gayle, Marlon Samuels and Narine
India:
India, with a very strong batting line-up backed by a quality spin attack under the leadership of MS Dhoni, are a very strong team especially in the sub-continental wickets. The team majorly relies on the strength and depth of their batting line-up and always seems to prefer to chase on any wicket.
Strengths: Batting, running between the wickets, quality spinners and MS Dhoni.
Weaknesses: Fast bowlers and lack of variety in the bowling to an extent.
Vulnerable areas: Not particularly good in defending targets. Bowling in the death overs is a major worry. Also, at times, the openers tend to bat too slowly early on. A slow start and a couple of wickets early on will put pressure on this mighty batting unit.
Key Players: Dhoni, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja
Pakistan:
A bowling heavy team with underrated batting abilities, Pakistan has been the most consistent team in the T20 world cup: reaching the semi-finals on all the four occasions. Although they boast of quality all-rounders and the best spin attack in the tournament, they will need some consistency from the talented but inconsistent batting unit to deliver.
Strengths: Spinners and all-rounders
Weaknesses: Inconsistent batting, running between the wickets, and ground fielding.
Vulnerabilities: Over-reliance on Saeed Ajmal.
Key Players: Mohammad Hafeez, Ajmal and Umar Akmal
Australia:
The most balanced team of the tournament with sufficient T20 experience in the subcontinent, thanks to IPL, they are the team to watch out for this year. Although the loss of Mitchell Johnson to injury is a big blow, the team has everything to go far in the tournament.
Strengths: Explosive openers, team balance and fielding
Weaknesses: Lack of spin options
Vulnerable areas: In spite of such exposure to T20 in subcontinent, their batsmen are susceptible to quality spin bowling. It will also be interesting to see how effective their fast bowling will be in Bangladesh, especially without Mitchell Johnson.
Key Players: David Warner, Shane Watson and Brad Hogg
Bangladesh:
The hosts of the tournament have not even been winning the trophy of “Hearts” this season. Having suffered a humiliating defeat against Hong Kong, they have a point to prove to their fanatic crowd. They are very much capable of creating an upset in the tournament if they show as much heart as their fans do.
Strengths: A well-balanced side, quality spinners and an immensely supportive home crowd.
Weaknesses: Lack of depth in batting and handling pressure.
Vulnerable areas: There is no particular pattern in the way this team bundles at times. Lower order batting has not been great. Getting their key batsmen out can almost win the game.
Key Players: Mushfiqur Rahim, Abdur Razzak and Shakib Al Hassan