India looks to break all possible shackles in the way to #1: Champions Trophy Preview

It’s been just a week since India triumph the Lanka land, winning the Compaq cup. India has been a formidable unit since early 2008, winning all of its last 6 ODI series. India now has got the stage to prove all of its credentials; to prove all critiques wrong. India always seems to go down when it comes to multi-team tournaments, examples in this case are a plenty!

But given the fact of India’s form and the way it is lead by the very-best MSD and guided handsomely by very firm rather polite Kirsten, India could do big guns here. And if India lifts the cup in the finals, it won’t be a surprise outcome. On the contrary, if India doesn’t qualify for the finals, it could come as a shock to a many.

India will look to keep the spirits and tempos high as always. The unit is looking good and Gautam Gambhir’s return makes it much easier for the top order to adjust and play their own natural game, especially for Rahul Dravid, who will then bat at his normal position, three. Further, Gambhir’s return will solidify the entire line-up, just because, his previous performances have been magnificent and consistent as well. Apart from Gambhir’s return, bowling also could get a real boost. India will surely be playing their 3 pacers in form of Ishant Sharma, Nehra and RP Singh or Pravin Kumar.  All these but Pravin Kumar, will get the best conditions individually to bowl. Ishant, being a bowler with high-arm action, will get bounce and could easily trouble any batsman in the world. Also, we can’t forget Ishant’s performances in Australia in early 2008. Bounce was a clear help for the young paceman then. Ashish Nehra has been looking to do well all around. He was good in Windies, then in Lanka, and his performance in the IPL 2009 was adorable. He will but naturally lead the pace-attack in absence of Zaheer. RP too loves to play in Protea-land. His performances in World T20 in 2007 and in IPL 2009 are the best examples to the theory.

The spin department will be as usually lead by Harbhajan Singh. Amit Mishra is the other spinner, but his chances to make to the final XI are very slim. Yuvraj’s recent success with the ball will also be the key, and he will be the only mainstream spin-allrounder in absence of Viru. Raina could also chip in through with his some offies.

As a conclusion, India looks a very good unit on paper, but you never know. India’s form is good, but inconsistent bowling and degrading fielding standards are the problems, which even MSD has highlighted. If India can pull up their socks and chip with good fielding and some consistent bowling, the cup ain’t far away!!!

India plays its first game against Pakistan on Saturday, the September 26, 2009. India also plays the only warm-up game tomorrow i.e. September 20, 2009 against New Zealand, at Potchefstroom.

Image courtesy:

Snap 1: AFP

Snap 2: Getty Images