Given the form of the Indian players and the vital experience gained from playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) leading into the Twenty20 World Cup, it gives one the feeling that M S Dhoni’s men should be favoured to defend the title they won in South Africa a couple of years ago.

The Indian team opens its campaign in the second edition of the T20 World Cup in England tomorrow against Bangladesh, a side that upset the favourite’s applecart in the 50-overs showpiece event in the Caribbean in March 2007.

T20 is prone to ebbs and flows and things can change pretty quickly, say in the space of an over or two and the intuitive Dhoni would very well know the significance of maintaining focus right through.

Also, the skipper will be aware of the fact that Bangladesh are not a side to be taken lightly (read the shock loss they inflicted in West Indies which sent India packing).

For a nation which was slow to embrace T20 cricket, India is a force to reckon with now and where Indian fans have had to lower expectations in the past, they can truly raise them with this unit.

Unlike the squad that flew to South Africa two years ago, the one that has gathered in England carries more expectations. Pre-tournament talk has bordered on India retaining the crown on 21 June at the Mecca of cricket (Lord’s).

India’s rise as a Twenty20 force since that unforgettable September evening has coincided with a swift rise in Test and 50-over cricket and many of the same players have gained in confidence from their exploits in cricket’s shortest format.

The talented Suresh Raina is a case in point. The UP left-hander has come a long way since poor form resulted in his omission from the national squad and his subsequent comeback. His IPL and T20 international exploits have resulted in a purple patch in the 50-over format too.

Yusuf Pathan and Ravindra Jadeja are the others who have made a mark in the shortest format of the game and given the team management a problem of plenty.

The batting looks imposing, to say the least. Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh, Yusuf Pathan. This is probably the best line-up among the participants at the T20 World Cup. It can be be quite destructive too.

The Bangladesh bowlers will have their hands full when they take the field against the holders tomorrow at Nottingham. For long the minnows of world cricket, India’s neighbours need to tighten up if they have to repeat the heroics of West Indies 2007.

Apart from the formidable line-up that India possesses, the team has a smart leader, and Dhoni has fit into that role with ease. His record in Tests, ODIs and T20 speak for him and his inspirational leadership has played a huge role in India’s successful run.

It will take a superlative effort from Bangladesh to pin down India and from the others if they have to prevent MSD from laying his hands on the trophy two Sundays from now. All said and done, a winning start will set India on the right track. The only factor that can set Dhoni’s men back will be complacency. However, he is a leader who expects the best from his men and will not allow them to sit back and wait for things to happen.

Indian squad: MS Dhoni (capt), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Harbhajan Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Zaheer Khan, Praveen Kumar, Pragyan Ojha, Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan, Suresh Raina, Ishant Sharma, Rohit Sharma, RP Singh, Yuvraj Singh.

Aussies up against Gayle-force

In the other matches to be played tomorrow, Australia will clash with the unpredictable West Indies while New Zealand opens up against Scotland.

The Aussies, without the services of mercurial all-rounder Andrew Symonds, after yet another misdemeanour, will look to get going after a forgettable campaign in South Africa two years ago.

Ricky Ponting’s men will be wary of the West Indies captain Chris Gayle, who can tear up rival attacks when in the mood. It will be a crucial game in the so-called ‘group of death’ as defeat can put either side on the backfoot.

The Kiwis will be expected to chalk up a win against Scotland given the prowess of Vettori and his men.