India is going to take on Afganistan on May 1st. I will discuss here chances on India in World Cup.
India hasn't played any practise matches in WestIndies. Also India hasn't got a good record in WestIndies. India was gone out in the first round of ICC 50 over world cup 2007 which was taken place on WestIndies. Also when India toured to WestIndies last time that was on 2009, some of the Indian players were struggling against short balls. I'm not sure players like Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina and Yusuf Pathan has improved against Short balls. During IPL they were not tested against short balls. In the previous World Cup other teams make advantage of this. That's why players like Suresh Raina doesn't performed on previous World Cup. Lets hope they have improved against short balls.
Also players like Yuvraj Singh were not in good touch. But I think Yuvraj will back to form in this World Cup. India definitely need Yuvraj Singh's performance in this World Cup, as he was the main reason for the success of India's World Cup 2007 held in South Africa.
The lack of Sewang in this World Cup will not affect much in India's performance. Murali Vijay who was the replacement of Sewang was in good form in IPL. Murali Vijay is also a class players and he can score runs quickly also. During IPL his strike rate was above 150. Lets hope Murali Vijay will play very well for his first T20 World Cup.
Ashish Nehra and Zaheer Khan will be leading India's pace attack in West Indies. During the last tour in West Indies Ashish Nehra bowled very well against West Indies. So his performance will be the key for India. I think India will choose Praveen Kumar in addition to them for bowling option. Harbhajan Singh and Yusuf Pathan has to play a big role in this World Cup.
But i'm looking for the performance of an another player, Ravindra Jadeja. Eventhough he hasn't played the last IPL his bowling is a key for India. I'm not sure about his batting performance, but he is good bowler for T20.
Eventhough Dineesh Karthik had a good IPL, i'm not sure about his place in this World Cup. He has played very well during India's last tour to West Indies also. I suggest India to include Dineesh for all matches as he is also a very good fielder. He has also go wide range of shorts for T20. He is also not a player who is struggling against short balls.
In a T20 game only one player can change the game. So every team has a chance to win this World Cup. But i think teams like India, Pakistan and Srilanka has greater chances of winning this World Cup as they have got quality spinners.
According to my opinion Indian 11 for this world cup may include following players:Gautham Gambhir, Murali Vijay as openers, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, Dhoni, Yusuf Pathan, Ravindra Jadeja, Harbhajan Singh, Praveen Kumar, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra
