Former India captain Sourav Ganguly believes India and Australia are the two best teams for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the United States and West Indies. The world tournament starts on June 2 and many believe it could be one of the most unpredictable ICC events in recent years, mainly due to the unknown nature of the venues available in the United States and the number of teams taking part in the tournament.
Ganguly, however, said India and Australia – finalists in last year’s ODI World Cup – will be the teams to beat. He expects India and Australia to dominate the tournament as they did in the 50-over World Cup last year.
“India and Australia are the two best teams in this tournament. I am sure they will do the same thing in the United States and West Indies,” Ganguly said.
The tournament is divided into four groups of five teams, with the top two teams in each group advancing to the Super Eights, followed by knockout semi-finals and finals.
Australia is in Group B with defending champions England, Namibia, Scotland and Oman. India, on the other hand, is in Group A along with fellow hosts the United States and arch-rivals Pakistan, Ireland and Canada.
India will play in the group stage in the United States and face Ireland on June 5. The Super Eights will be held in the Caribbean country.
Talking about the Indian squad, Ganguly said: “This is a good team and they are match-winners. All 15 players are good enough to be selected and I believe Rohit (Sharma) ) and Rahul (Dravid) will pick the best.”
Rinku Singh did not find a place among the 15 members of India. Chief Electoral Officer Ajit Agarkar said it was one of the toughest decisions the commission had to make.
Ganguly believes the 26-year-old, who has a strike rate of 176+ in 15 T20Is and served as a finisher for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, might have missed out as India wanted an “extra spinner” “Remember the spin track of the West Indies.
“This is West Indies. The wickets can be slow and help spin so they (selectors) wanted to go with another spinner. Maybe because of that, Rinku didn’t get a chance but that was just the beginning for Rinku ,” Ganguly said.