Move over IPL, the real WAR begins NOW!!

While IPL is stuck in a smog thicker than the ones you could find in London, the Sunny Caribbean will witness the Battle of the Nations, which I promise you should throw up a lot more excitement than what the IPL managed this year.

T20 over the years has proven it self to be more of the Battle of nerves, rather than might. If you don't believe me ask the Australian side, who have a 100% loss record against Zimbabwe in T20.

Why I expect this to be the mother of all competitions is -

1. Its not franchise & payment which is gonna push the players. Its national pride, which can produce the most brilliant of performances.
2. Teams & players would have studied each other intensely during the IPL and CLT20
3. Like I said before its the battle of nerves, not might.

Adam Gilchrist was asked before one of the IPL matches - " what counts more in T20? Individual performance or a Game Plan?" " I think Both" came the reply.

That very match, his team did well to reduce MI to 98/5, but then out of nowhere Bhajji brought out an ultimate thriller of an innings to make 49* and snap Gilly in the first over. So you never till the last minute who could be the winner. The only exception being if teams batting second get a slow start, it won't be easy to make up for it in the end.

An ideal composition of the team should be -

A swashbuckling opener - e.g. Warner
An opener with silky touch - e.g. Gambhir or Kallis - who can play a support role to no.1
The guy going one down should be ready to play a contingency role more often than never.

The middle order should be able to adjust their gear according to the situation. But ideally they should get a hang of the wicket before going for the big shots. A batting wicketkeeper is more of a requirement nowadays than just a bonus.

Now comes the bowling options. Two spinners and two pacers? Or a spinner and three pacemen. The latter plan may work early in the tournament, but as the tourney progresses, spinners will play a more vital role. Those who have effective part time bowlers like Yusuf Pathan and Raina, will reap some more economical overs. This is where India and Pakistan stand to gain.

So there is no point in chalking out favorites yet. There are enough elements to make this is an evenly contested affair. ( As I write Ireland are reduced to 37/5 by Afghanistan)

Pitches are gonna be slow & turning and 160 wouldn't be a bad total. So till then Game on.

I will be coming up with group wise form assessment shortly.