Things one must know before this Cricket T20 WC 2016 (from various sources):

- India has never won against NZ in an International T20 – all four times lost. But NZ does not have the McCullum factor – he was the MoM in three of these four! Usually NZ matches with India end up in the last over!! And an update after the first match between India and NZ on 15 th March 2016, it is still 5-0 in favour of NZ – India got buried by their careless batting and NZ had some good spinners helping them achieve this win.

- South Africa has never lost in India in any International T20. OOmm!- But India has won the last 10 of their 11 International T20s now and Yuvi and Dhoni show some

sign of goodness (I would doubt them to be showing their older avatar but good enough). And India has won last 7 games continuously and win tonight is a world record 8.

- India has won all their four International T20s against Bangladesh – so that makes it one win.- Pakistan has never won against India in any World cup events – be it 50 overs or T20. So, that

makes it two wins for India already. - No team has defended their title in World T20 so far. Sorry Sri Lanka, you are out already!- There have been six different winners in six different editions to date – India in South Africa

(2007), Pakistan in London (2009), England in West Indies (2010), West Indies in Sri Lanka (2012) and Sri Lanka in Dhaka (2014).

- No team has won in their own home conditions in World T20 so far. India – be careful! It is time to change this jinx!

- India has come to the finals twice and so has Pakistan, Sri Lanka being the highest with three times, And England, Australia and West Indies once each. But England and West Indies can safely say that if they come to the finals, they will definitely win it!

My take:- Australia would be a tough team to play for India because they know our conditions well thanks

to their IPL success. Finch, Warner and Steve Smith. Maxwell would be a big hitter – both Maxwell and Smith can handle Ashwin well. Faulkner would be their only good bowler. India should expect to hit a 200+ score to even have a chance. India has not seen Khawaja in action either – someone to watch out for. Australia’s weakest format is T20.

- Bangladesh have Tamim and Shabbir in good form but Shakib has to come back to form for them to have a chance. No credible bowling arsenal

- Pakistan can always rock on their given day – they have the best pace bowling attack(Riaz, Irfan, Amir) where each can clock 140+ on an average and most of them are left arm swing – but their fielding and running between the wickets would show badly. If their batsmen click through Umar Akmal and S Malik, then they can give a run for the money.

- South Africa – De Kock, FAF and AB would be their batting strengths and David Miller and Duminy as finishers are great. Dale Steyne does not have a great record in India. Rabada is the person to watch. Amla can come to their party as well. But unfortunately any world cup has not been kind to them. They have never reached the finals of any World T20 or any limited overs 50 over world cup either!

- West Indies have Russell, Bravo and Gayle with Sammy as a good motivating captain and Holder as a utility all-rounder. But without Narine and Pollard, they do not come out top in my list.

- Sri Lanka is not doing great in their T20 outings for the past couple of years as they are building a team around youngsters now. Chandimal is the only batting threat. Their pace bowlers may step up and Herath can do spin damage in Indian conditions. Fitness issues with Angelo and Malinga is a worry.

- Afghanistan would be a good team to watch as they would have nothing to lose. They seem to be doing well and I am going to say they would do one upset in their pool. My favorite person to watch here is M Shahzad who proudly takes after the style of MSD and even has his helicopter shot!

- England is someone I am looking at very positively as everyone seems to be in good form in batting – Taylor, Root, this year’s star Jos Butler and Ben Stokes. Their spin attack although not renowned with Rashid and Mooen can contain well. If their pace bowlers can come to the party, then they do have a say in reaching semis. Their captain Morgan can be a good finisher as well.

- New Zealand has the best fielding, and with Guptill and Williamson in top form, if they manage to be consistent, and with Corey doing the smashing, they can come up with totals that their good pace battery (Bolte, Milne, McClenaghan, Southee) can defend. No spinners would be bad for them in Indian conditions.

- And India. This is the year for them to win with no excuses – good form, good team and home conditions. Would be a good farewell for both MSD and Yuvi. Kohli and Rohit are our main stays. I would still prefer Rahane to Dhawan anyday. Ashwin would do well with NZ, Pak and Bangladesh but not against Aus. Pandya would be badly beaten outside the park throughout and Bumrah has to prove himself. Raina has to get back to form, and Yuvi and Dhoni have to be their finishing strengths. Ashish Nehra has to take the early wickets and Jadeja has to contain. Excellent fielding team as well. India may be so winning here. Despite the fact no match being held in Chennai, I am supporting India.

I have already placed India in the semis and England as well. It is going to be struggle for India after their loss to NZ but they need to pull all their armour to land in the semis properly.