India are ranked #2 and they beat both Australia and England (at full strength) in the last seven months. Which is probably more relevant than a two-match series in 2019 that featured players who are nowhere near the current side. They've got the third highest runs per over and by far and away the best W/L ratio in the last two years (against the eight test teams that are already qualified for the main stage).
I personally think, unlike England and the West Indies, India probably has the most balanced line-up. Their best players are playing in their regular positions. England has about five openers in the top six and West Indies have about 4 number 5/6. They can easily implode, as they've done twice recently a match after dominating a team. If they string together some good performances they'll be dangerous but they are just as likely to underperform.
India will also probably be at an advantage of playing in the UAE for a month beforehand. It's not to say they'll win the tournament, T20 is very open, but to say they're about as good as South Africa is very generous to South Africa.
I would say that yes we are consistent. Yes we have a bench strength which is quality wise the best crop in World Cricket. But where we are lacking is the management. You could probably say that India is one of those sides whose resources are terribly managed. The lack of surety regarding the spots of a certain players have always hurt them in tournaments like these.
A top 6 consisting of
KL Rahul
Rohit Sharma
Virat Kohli
Iyer/ SKY
Rishabh Pant
Hardik Pandya
Well that is a really balanced line-up and at the same time they have enough of power hitting ability.
But now the problem is
KL Rahul won the orange cap in consecutive IPL seasons. But I would say he was terrible for most part in 2020 IPL despite winning the orange cap. Now I would ask you what is the point in scoring 500+ runs at a strike rate of less than 120s? Again this is about the lack of guidance. His natural game is taking on the attack to the bowlers in Powerplay and continuing the momentum in the middle overs. But in recent times he is unnecessarily taking his time to see off the new ball and never really takes off in the middle overs. He was actually dropped against England!!!
Now, Kohli says that he would open for India inspite of having a better option in KL Rahul.
Iyer is actually a top order batsman and is forced to bat at 4 because Virat Kohli bats at 3. Infact for some illogical reasons known to the team management he batted below Hardik Pandya against England. Where does any sense prevail in this? When we talk about SKY he is a destructive batsman and can play anywhere from opening to no.7. But he best works between 3-5 in the batting order.
Although Pant is a terrific player in this format but he hasn't really fired playing for India which is a worrying sign.
Hardik Pandya actually makes this side as an all rounder. But it has been ages since he has bowled and is still a little injury prone.
Back-ups:-
Kishan
Dhawan
Samson
Manish Pandey
I don't know why but Kishan hasn't given enough opportunities and certainly doesn't look anywhere near the plans of making the XI. Dhawan has had a couple of terrific seasons in the IPL but he hasn't translated his IPL form in International Cricket. At best he gives us a 20-ball 30. So this means, he neither helps the runs on the board nor the scoring rate.
Samson doesn't really have done well even in IPL to be consistent enough. He just comes in whacks a couple of sixes and is back in the dugout. He doesn't usually strike the older ball as cleanly as he does in the Powerplay. So we cannot rely on him to deliver match winning knocks.
You'll be surprised to hear this, but Manish Pandey averages somewhere around 35 in recent times with a healthy strike rate close to 140s batting at 6 for India unlike the IPL where he bats at 3 and strikes at around low 120s. But now he isn't in the playing XI for India because he struggles in the IPL. No logic in this whatsoever.
Will try to discuss about bowling in another post.
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