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Sunil Gavaskar has gone by “current form”. Dean Jones has taken “bowling attack” into account. In their respective list of ICC World Twenty20 semifinalists, only two teams are common – India and South Africa. Interestingly, Jones has not picked his home country, Australia and backed Pakistan instead. (Odds Favour India Against Pakistan; MS Dhoni’s Team Favourites To Win Crown)
India seem to be the common favourite. While Gavaskar is not willing to say that Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s team will surely become the first team to win the ICC World Twenty20 at home, Jones has called India “red-hot and the best team in the competition.” (Tendulkar Happy With Dhoni’s Return to Form)
Gavaskar feels India are favourites “but only by a little bit.” Tuesday’s opener against New Zealand in Nagpur was a potential banana skin, hinted the former Test opener. (Imran Khan, Wasim Akram to Give Pakistan Pep Talk Ahead of India Tie)
“New Zealand always play under the radar. Expectations on them are less and their batting is fabulous. It will be a cracker of a game against India,” said Gavaskar. (India Have Prepared Well For World T20, Says Balaji)
Their bowling attack makes Pakistan one of the semifinalists in Jones’ list. Mohammad Amir’s stunning comeback and Mohammad Irfan’s ability to keep things under check during death overs are factors that have impressed the Australian.
These are the exact reasons why Jones feels Australia are not among his favourites. Aussie bowling, according to him, is a concern. He has rated West Indies (2012 champions) ahead of Australia, who have never won the ICC World Twenty20.
Source: NDTV