All about the T20 World Cup 2012

Pitch Report: The sub-continent, for a change, will be a fast bowler friendly host. The SL board has been busy re-laying their spin (read flat) tracks to assist the pacers with carry and lateral movement. Even Premadasa, known for spin (read flat) tracks will be an interesting one for the fast bowlers.

Weather Report: It is generally cool at this time of the year with overcast conditions helping the seamers further. Rain is expected to interrupt a few games but let’s hope we get to see a wonderful World Cup.

Group A: (India, England, Afghanistan)

Team India

Squad: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain/wicketkeeper), Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Manoj Tiwary, Rohit Sharma, Irfan Pathan, Ravichandran Ashwin, Zaheer Khan, Laxmipathy Balaji, Ashok Dinda, Harbhajan Singh and Piyush Chawla.

Watch out for: Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh and Irfan Pathan.

Strengths: Strong Batting, quality spinners, familiar Conditions

Weaknesses: Recent lack of form, bowling in the death overs, fielding, high Expectations

Bottom Line: A good opening partnership will be the key for this tournament. If India can get that and bowl decently in the death overs, one can expect them to reach the semis at least.

Team Afghanistan

Squad: Nawroz Mangal (captain), Gulbadin Naib, Dawlat Zadran, Karim Sadeq, Hamid Hassan, Izzatullah Dawlatzai, Mohammad Jawed Ahmadi, Mohd Nasim Baras, Mohammad Asghar Stanikzai, Mohammad Nabi, Mohammad Shahzad, Najibullah Zadran, Shapur Zadran, Samiullah Shinwari and Shafiqullah Shafaq.

Watch out for: A miracle

Strengths: Explosive batsmen

Weaknesses: Inexperience

Bottom Line: As mentioned above, only a miracle can make them get past group stage this time. But remember, miracles happen.

Team England

Squad: Stuart Broad (captain), Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler, Ravi Bopara, Danny Briggs, Jade Dernbach, Alex Hales, Tim Bresnan, Craig Kieswetter, Michael Lumb, Steven Finn, Graeme Swann, Eoin Morgan, Samit Patel and Luke Wright.

Watch out for: Kieswetter, Luke Wright, Stuart Broad.

Strengths: Team full of T20 specialists, quality bowling, depth in batting.

Weaknesses: Power hitters,lack of experience especially on subcontinent pitches.

Bottom Line: In all fairness, England lack that one player who can change the course of a T20 game (read: Kevin Pietersen). Will clear group stage but might need some luck to go further.

Group B: (Australia, West Indies, Ireland)

Team Australia

Squad: George Bailey (c), Shane Watson (vc), Cameron White, Dan Christian, David Hussey, Pat Cummins, David Warner, Xavier Doherty, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Hilfenhaus, Brad Hogg, Michael Hussey, Clint McKay, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade.

Watch out for: Warner, Watson, Hussey brothers, Brad Hogg and Mitchell Starc.

Strengths: Strong top order batsmen, quality spinner, IPL experience

Weaknesses: Poor form, pacers lack experience on international level.

Bottom Line: Ranked 10^th in ICC T20 ratings, the Aussies need to find some confidence. This tournament will be a test of character for them. Clearing each round will be tough but one cannot write off the aussies.

Team West Indies

Squad: Darren Sammy (captain), Dwayne Bravo (vice captain), Chris Gayle, Darren Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Johnson Charles, Fidel Edwards, Sunil Narine, Ravi Rampaul, Andre Russell, Samuel Badree, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons, Dinesh Ramdin and Dwayne Smith.

Watch out for: Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, Sunil Narine and Pollard.

Strengths: Explosive batting, good balance in team, T20 specialists.

Weaknesses: Inconsistency, fast bowling department to an extent, high expectations.

Bottom Line: High expectation is something the WI cricket will cherish. However, inconsistency might crumble them. If Chris Gayle continues his form, expect nothing less than another International trophy in their bags.

Team Ireland

Squad: William Porterfield (captain), Alex Cusack, George Dockrell, Max Sorensen, Trent Johnston, Boyd Rankin, Nigel Jones, Ed Joyce, Andrew White, Tim Murtagh, Kevin O’Brien, Niall O’Brien, Paul Stirling, Stuart Thompson and Gary Wilson.

Watch out for: O’Brien brothers

Strengths: T20 experts

Weaknesses: Inexperience on International level.

Bottom Line: Ranked above the Aussies, the Irish are quite capable of pulling a surprise and clearing group stage. Can’t see them get past that.

Group C: (South Africa, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka)

Team South Africa

Squad: AB de Villiers (captain), Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Johan Botha, JP Duminy, Francois du Plessis, Jacques Kallis, Richard Levi, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Justin Ontong, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe.

Watch out for: ABD, Jacques Kallis, Dale Steyn.

Strengths: Strong batting, bowling, excellent fielding, team balance.

Weaknesses: Inability to handle pressure.

Bottom Line: Year after year, SA comes with one of the strongest teams and gets eliminated in knockouts. If they can keep cool in pressure situations, there is no reason why they can’t lift the Cup.

Team Zimbabwe

Squad: Brendan Taylor (captain), Stuart Matsikenyeri, Vusi Sibanda, Ray Price, Hamilton Masakadza, Craig Ervine, Malcolm Waller, Brian Vitori, Elton Chigumbura, Graeme Cremer, Kyle Jarvis, Chris Mpofu, Richard Muzhange, Prosper Utseya, Forster Mutizwa.

Watch out for: Chris Mpofu, Hamilton Masakadza

Strengths: Decent bowling attack, lack of expectations

Weaknesses: Inexperience

Bottom Line: Once top notch, the Zimbabwe cricket team has gone through a lot. They now are in a tough group and clearing the group stage will be an achievement.

Team Sri Lanka

Squad: Mahela Jayawardene (captain), Kumar Sangakkara, Angelo Mathews, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Dilshan Munaweera, Lahiru Thirimanne, Jeevan Mendis, Thisara Perera, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekara, Ajantha Mendis, Rangana Herath, Shaminda Eranga, Dinesh Chandimal and Akhila Dhananjaya.

Watch out for: Dilshan, Angelo Mathews, Malinga.

Strengths: Experienced top order batsmen, home advantage, IPL, SPL experience.

Weaknesses: Lack of explosive batsmen (except Dilshan)

Bottom Line: Have been experts in reaching finals of a tournament (last 2 ODI World Cups, 1 T20 World Cup) and then losing. Expect them to be consistent but reaching big scores looks tough for this side. However, familiar conditions can get them to semis.

Group D: (NewZealand, Pakistan, Bangladesh)

Team New Zealand

Squad: Ross Taylor (captain), Martin Guptill, Doug Bracewell, Brendon McCullum, James Franklin, Roneel Hira, Rob Nicol, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Adam Milne, Jacob Oram, Tim Southee, Daniel Vettori, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson.

Watch out for: Brendon McCullum, Vettori, Ross Taylor

Strengths: Strong top order batsmen, fielding, all-rounders

Weaknesses: Inexperience, middle order

Bottom Line: They depend a lot McCullum and Taylor. Will give a tough fight for any team but might find it difficult to reach Semis this time. Group stage matches will be interesting.

Team Pakistan

Squad: Mohammad Hafeez (captain), Imran Nazir, Nasir Jamshed, Asad Shafiq, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Kamran Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Shahid Afridi, Sohail Tanveer, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Raza Hasan, Yasir Arafat, Mohammad Sami.

Watch out for: Hafeez, Ajmal, Afridi

Strengths: Strongest spin attack, big hitters, good team balance

Weaknesses: Inconsistency, Tend to lose wickets in a bunch.

Bottom Line: Will they score 250 or crumble for a mere 50 run innings? Well, you never know with Pakistan. A side capable of winning the tournament, it will not be a shock if they end up knocked out of group stage. As I said, you never know with them.

Team Bangladesh

Squad: Mushfiqur Rahim (captain), Mahmudullah Riyad, Tamim Iqbal, Abdur Razzak, Junaed Siddiqui, Elias Sunny, Jahurul Islam,Shakib Al Hasan, Nasir Hossain, Mohammad Ashraful, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Ziaur Rahman, Forhad Reza, Shafiul Islam and Abul Hasan.

Watch out for: Shakib Al Hasan, Mashrafe Mortaza, Tamim Iqbal

Strengths: Strong Batting, handy all-rounders

Weaknesses: Inconsistency

Bottom Line: Yet another inconsistent team makes Group D the most interesting group this time. Will have to wait and see if they can produce an upset in this tournament, which they are quite capable of.