Movers and shakers

With the ICC World Twenty20 challenge beginning in Bangladesh today, we take a look at some of the players who can actually make a difference for Team India

Even as India?s recent sojourn in Asia Cup was not up to the mark, as it could defeat only minnows Afghanistan and Bangladesh, the team?s spirits haven?t dampened as it gears up for the ICC World Twenty20 that begins in Bangladesh on Sunday. Skipper Virat Kohli?s recent tweet, ?Well rested. Time to get back to the grind now?, proves the fact that the team is ready to take on the others.

ICC World Twenty20 began in 2007 and it was a young Team India that clinched the first title defeating Pakistan in the finals. However, the following years were not too good for India, with Pakistan, England and West Indies winning the respective seasons.

Unfortunately, this time too, the situation is not in India?s favour. It recently got drubbed in New Zealand and then in the Asia Cup in the hands of Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The lack of experience of a few Indian players in international T20 matches is also a matter of concern. Bhubaneshwar Kumar, Shikhar Dhawan and Mohammed Shami are newcomers in the team. Moreover, India has played just 46 international T20 games?lowest, as compared to other teams except Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.

The good part is that skipper MS Dhoni is back in the team along with Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh. Dhoni?s comeback will definitely take back a lot of pressure on stand-in skipper Kohli and he can play freely now. But for India to make a mark in this tournament, it is very important that its middle order batsmen and spinners are back in form. India will play its first match against Pakistan on March 21.

Here, we take a look at a few Indian players who have to play

well if the country thinks of winning this season.

Middle man

ROHIT SHARMA

The current opener in ODIs, Sharma has been one of the prolific batsmen in the middle orders for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League. Now, it depends on skipper Dhoni if he wants to play Sharma in the middle order or as an opener.

T20s: 36

Runs: 539

Highest score: 79 (not out)

Average: 28.36

?Helicopter? man

MS DHONI

Dhoni is unarguably one of the best finishers in the shortest format of the game, but he is still to score his maiden half-century in T20 internationals. As he is coming back into the team, he would surely like to change it in Bangladesh.

T20s: 43

Runs: 772

Highest score: 48 (not out)

Average: 32.16

Mr Dependable

VIRAT KOHLI

Currently the World No 1 batsman, Kohli has been in sublime form in the past one year. Though India lost in New Zealand, Kohli?s knocks were admirable. Moreover, his current knocks in Asia Cup (189 runs in three innings)

will ease a lot of

pressure of him.

T20s: 21

Runs: 587

Highest score: 78 (not out)

Average: 34.52

The opportunist

AMIT MISHRA

Mishra has been travelling a lot with Team India, but with very few match practices and having just played one T20 international for the country. However, his recent stint in Asia Cup proves that he can be the leg spinner India is

looking for.

T20s: 1

Wickets: 1

Balls: 24

Average: 21.00

Comeback trail

YUVRAJ SINGH

Though he has been inconsistent with his recent performances

and has been in and

out of the team for

the last year, there is no doubt that he has been a match winner for Team India. Moreover, who can

forget his six sixes in the first T20 World Cup against England?