Aussies favourites, India dark horses

India

Affluent in experience, Team India’s batting retains the nectar-touch of class – easily the best on paper. Robin Uthappa’s cavalier attitude is refreshing. Yuvraj Singh and Mahendra Singh Dhoni own all the cardinal qualities of great finishers.

But Rahul Dravid’s side does not inspire confidence in the other two facets.

The inner circle is manned by fielders on the wrong side of the 30s. Defending 250 could be a tall order. India’s best bet lies in batting the opposition out of the match.

The pace attack is, at best, resourceful. Apart from the newly-minted Zaheer Khan, the country lacks a strike bowler. We ought to ponder whether Munaf Patel will charge in full pelt if India needs more than figures of 1-50?

Though Sachin Tendulkar brings the X-factor with his varieties, Harbhajan Singh is a far cry from the attacking bowler that he once used to be.

Against the giants India has betrayed a tendency to blink first. Win percentage in the last five years: 12.50 against Australia, 33.33 against South Africa and 35.71 against New Zealand, does not augur well.

The side’s support-brass has been found wanting in recent times: the way Munaf’s injury was handled in the Cape Town Test is a case in point.

Injury scares have plagued the team: will Irfan Pathan’s shoulder hold up, will Yuvraj Singh last the course? The captain has plenty to think about.

But it is heartening to see Dravid react to situations. In the Champions Trophy, when games slipped away, he sank into a stoic mien. Of late, his deadpan looks have morphed into animation.

On mere pedigree and the recent wins in the home series, India could be the fourth contender for the semis, though Sri Lanka runs it close. The team’s recent form, particularly the batting, should give them oodles of confidence.