ICC T20 World Cup 2012: West Indies are the hot favourites

Vineet Ramakrishnan

West Indian players are probably the real superstars of the Twenty20 world. To see Chris Gayle, Keiron Pollard, Dawyne Bravo and Sunil Narine in a single team is exciting and quite daunting for the opponents. Are they the underdogs or the dark horses? Hell no, they definitely are the favourites to win the ICC 2012 Twenty20 World cup. Read Team Previews here: : INDIA » | PAKISTAN»| ENGLAND»| SRI LANKA»| WEST INDIES»| ZIMBABWE »| BANGALDESH»| SOUTH AFRICA»| NEW ZEALAND»| IRELAND»| AFGHANISTAN» Strength: In literal sense or otherwise, Christopher Gayle is strength. Keiron Pollard is strength, Dwayne Smith is strength. This batting heavy batting line-up not only consists of the superstars but they possess equally impressive supporting stars as well. If Gayle is the explosive opening bat, Lendl Simmons has the caliber to match ‘Gaylestorm’. Sunil Narine was a super duper hit in IPL but his stupendous performance continued in the national colours as well. With the slow pitches of Sri Lanka Sunil Narine will be West Indies trump card and Samuel Badri will also be a handful. Weakness: The West Indies batting line-up may be powered packed but it is their bowling which looks weaker, comparatively weaker than their batting. Spin department is very good but the pace attack of Ravi Rampaul, Fidel Edwards and Darren Sammy looks just average. Sammy with his gentle pace will always be the prime target for the opposing batsmen whereas Fidel Edwards with his pace is very inconsistent. Ravi Rampaul has the knack of taking wickets but his bowling prowess in the death overs is not that good. Opportunity: The main opportunity for success for West Indies lies in the fact that each of their 11 players are match winners in their own respect. If the opposition concentrate on Gayle, Pollard, Narine and the Bravo brothers, it presents the opportunity for someone like a Marlon Samuels or Dwayne Smith to swoop up the situation and turn the tide in West indies’ favour. Threat: Self destruction seems to be the only threat for this bunch of superstars or a bad day at the office for most of the players. They have Australia and Ireland in the group and on paper they should be the table toppers. Plus, a magical innings, like Yuvi’s 58 off 16 balls against England in 2007 could see West Indies in a bit of nerves. Newbies: Johnson Charles Players to watch out for: Sunil Narine, Chris Gayle Squad: Darren Sammy (captain), Dwayne Bravo (vice captain), Chris Gayle, Darren Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Johnson Charles, Fidel Edwards, Sunil Narine, Ravi Rampaul, Andre Russell, Samuel Badree, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons, Denesh Ramdin and Dwayne Smith. Read Team Previews here: : INDIA » | PAKISTAN»| ENGLAND»| SRI LANKA»| WEST INDIES»| ZIMBABWE »| BANGALDESH»| SOUTH AFRICA»| NEW ZEALAND»| IRELAND»| AFGHANISTAN»