ICC World T20: 5 decisive head-to-head clashes that can decide India's fate

After clinching their sixth Asia Cup title unconquered, it will be difficult for one not to tag India as favourites in the upcoming ICC World T20. The hosts are enjoying a 7-game unbeaten run in the T20 Internationals and have alsowon 10 of their 11 pastencounters.Oozing with confidence, the hosts go in the tournament to do a repeat of their 2011 heroism. But it will not be a cakewalk for the hosts;pitted in the group of death alongside arch-rivals Pakistan, mighty Aussies and the ever improving dangerous Kiwis, they will need to seize the key moments of the every clash.Whether M.S. Dhoni and his men will lift the coveted trophy at Eden Gardens on 3rdof April will depend on some key clashes in the group stages.Here are 5 battles that can determine Indias progress to the finals.

#1 Ravichandran Ashwin vs Glenn Maxwell

Can Ashwin stop the blazing bat of Maxwell?

As they say, Old is Gold. This battle between the offie and unorthodox batsman dates back to IPL 7 where Maxwell smashed Ashwin to every corner of the ground and ensured his team won both the matches. However, with the passage of time, the Indian spinner has evolved a lot and has scalped Maxwell 4 times since then.

It promises to be a mouth-watering contest between the two immensely skilled players in their own domain. While Ashwin will go in the tournament as the top-ranked T20 bowler, Maxwell would be coming off a scintillating knock of 75 against the Proteas, helping his team to chase down 205.

Time will tell if Ashwin can spin a web around Maxwell or if the switch-hits and reverse-scoops dominate the carrom ball.

#2 Virat Kohli vs Mohammad Amir

Can Amir get the better of Kohli this time?

The World has been a captivated spectator to this enthralling contest between the bat and bowl in the recently concluded Asia Cup. Amir’s return to international cricket has been spiced up by his vicious swing bowling against India in the Asia Cup.

While the Rohits and Rainas were all at sea against the left-arm pacer, it was India’s best bat Virat Kohli who stood up to the challenge and thwarted the quickie and came out victorious to a certain extent. The prolific run getter has a Bradmanesque average of 84.22 while chasing in T-20s and this contest will surely determine which team will emerge triumphant in the encounter.

If Amir can get rid of Kohli soon, Pakistan would expect their half job done.

#3 David Warner vs Jasprit Bumrah

Warner fell prey to Bumrah in the T-20 series in Australia

Bumrah has been the death bowler India was searching for a long time. With his uncanny action, he posses the ability to bowl yorkers at will. He adds up to the team’s cause by picking up wickets in the powerplays too.

Warner, who according to many currently is the best opener in the game across all the formats will pose a stiff challenge for the new sensation of Indian bowling. The pocket-sized dynamo plays the short ball well and has experience on his side too.

The Aussies would like Warner to attack Bumrah right from the word go as it will affect the confidence of the pacer. The speedster would want to see the back of the Warner quickly before encountering Smiths and Maxwells.

#4 Martin Guptill vs Ashish Nehra

A lot will be depending on the Nehra and Guptill faceoff

After Brendon McCullum’s retirement from International cricket, the onus now lies on Martin Guptill to take New Zealand off to a flier. Guptill has been in fine form recently and has consistent scores coming to this T-20 World Cup.

Veteran bowler Ashish Nehra stands in the way of Guptill as the left-arm pacer has been constantly scalping wickets in the powerplays since his return to the Indian team. According to experts, New Zealand stand the closest to India in terms of favourites and surely Nehra will need to dismiss this 29-year old to restrict Kiwis to a moderate score.

Since this will be the first match for both the teams, this tiff would set the tone for their respective sides in the competition.

#5 Rohit Sharma vs Trent Boult

Will Boult’s swing counter the Hitman’s expansive strokes?

Trent Boult has been New Zealand’s go-to bowler whenever his team needs a breakthrough. On the other hand, Rohit Sharma has been India’s consistent opener in the limited formats of the game over the past two years.

It will be a match of even-steven when these two teams face off for their opening fixture at VCA stadium in Nagpur. While Boult will like to make inroads in the huge Indian batting line up by sending Rohit early, the star batsman will try to take the Kiwi attack to the cleaners to give India a rollicking start.

The winner among these two will surely give their team an edge in the encounter.