MS Dhoni Names India T20 World Cup Favourites, Warns of Critical Challenge
Former captain praises squad depth and experience but warns dew could prove decisive
India, Feb 04 : Former India captain MS Dhoni has thrown his weight behind the defending champions, describing them as one of the strongest contenders for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. While expressing confidence in the squad’s balance and experience, he emphasised that external conditions particularly dew could significantly influence outcomes in the shortest format.
India, under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav, begin their campaign against the United States at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on Saturday. The top ranked side enters the tournament in formidable form after a commanding 4-1 series triumph over New Zealand, marking their ninth successive bilateral T20 series win.
Experience and role clarity strengthen India
Dhoni pointed to the team’s depth and familiarity with high-pressure situations as major advantages. According to him, the players possess the skills required for both batting and bowling challenges, and their extensive exposure to crunch moments adds to their reliability.
He noted that individuals clearly understand their responsibilities within the lineup, a factor that often separates strong teams from title winners in fast paced competitions.
Dew remains the biggest concern
Despite his optimism, Dhoni admitted that the presence of dew remains a lingering worry. Moisture on the field can make bowling difficult, tilt the toss in favour of chasing teams, and disrupt otherwise balanced contests.
He suggested that if playing conditions remain neutral, India would likely emerge victorious more often than not against top opponents. However, shifting match environments can quickly alter the equation.
Unpredictability defines T20 cricket
Dhoni also underlined the volatile nature of the format, where a single off day for key players or an exceptional performance from the opposition can change the course of a match. He stressed the importance of maintaining fitness, executing assigned roles effectively, and having a measure of fortune during critical stages.
Ending on a cautious note, the World Cup winning skipper reiterated his belief in the squad’s strength while avoiding overconfidence, calling it a dangerous side capable of going all the way if variables fall into place.
