T 20 Cricket world cup - Australia's chances of winning the trophy.

Twenty overs, ten teams and one champion - the fight begins tonight. The ‘Super 10’ round of ICC T20 World Cup kicks off tonight in the Indian city of Nagpur, where the hosts will take on New Zealand in the opener. It’s yet another cricket world cup within an year. Exactly an year ago, Australian cricket stadiums were jam packed with cricket fans, celebrating the ODI World Cup. As the fans around the world get ready for another cricketing extravaganza, SBS Radio gives a sneak peek into the teams.

during game five of the Commonwealth Bank One Day Series match between Australia and India at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 23, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. Source: Getty Images

India:

Inaugural world champions in T20 cricket, India has become the first team to lift ODI world cup on home soil in 2011. Recent performances give an extra advantage to the home side. In the 11 T20 international games they played in 2016, India has lost only one.

Along with the advantage of home ground, a rich batting line up and balanced bowling department make India a strong contender. Players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Yuvraj Singh and captain M.S.Dhoni have shown exemplary batting performance in the recent times.

Along with experienced Ashish Nehra and R Ashwin, youngsters like Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah give an extra edge to the bowling line up. 

New Zealand: 

It is a new phase in New Zealand cricket after the retirement of their most prolific captain Brendon McCullum. The team led by Kane Williamson has landed in India without much T20 match practice in the recent times, and their performance in the subcontinent has always been poor.

But, the presence of many all-rounders like Corey Anderson, Grant Elliot, Mitchell Saunter and Nathan McCullum make them a strong side. Experienced Martin Guptill and Ross Taylor add strength to the batting. Bowlers like Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Nathan McCullum become crucial in the team’s performance. 

Australia:

Five time world champions in ODIs and the number one ranked test side, Australia is another strong contender in the title chase. This is the only trophy missing from Australia’s cabinet. But this time around, the team comes with some of the best T20 batsmen ever.

With David Warner and Aaron Finch at the top, captain Steve Smith and Glen Maxwell in the middle order and a batsman like James Faulkner as a finisher, Australian batting line up has every right to be super confident.

Shane Watson’s experience on Indian pitches and in all previous editions of the T20 World Cup - with a strike rate of 140 - is another advantage for Australia. However, the bowling line up lacks an experienced spinner. Leg spinner Adam Zampa has played only two T20 internationals and left arm spinner Ashton Agar just one.

On the slow Indian tracks this can turn out to be crucial.