Remember what happened last time when India visited the Caribbean Islands for the World Cup 2007. Yes, the stunning defeat for the Men in Blue by the Bangla Tigers. That game changed the course of India’s World Cup Journey with a unexpected exit.

Dravid and Co had overconfidence of beating the Bangladesh team so did they lose. But MS Dhoni this time is taking it seriously.

Here are his words:-

If you ask me, I would not consider our opening match against Afghanistan as a practice game. I don’t take my opponents lightly. At the end of the day you have to win whichever team you play.

I don’t know much about them. It is good in a way because if we know too much about a side then you are thinking too much about them. However, our preparation will remain the same as if you are playing the best opponent in world cricket

We can’t really relax against whichever team you are playing. At the end of the day you are representing India and you have to be at your best when you turn up on the field.

We don’t actually need to play a warm-up game as the way we have shaped up after the long journey, there wouldn’t have been any good coming out of it. It is good that we can rest and have a rigorous practice session and get back into the groove and prepare for the match against them

Let us see what happens…

Just a week before the T20 World Cup to kick start,The Indian team has seen a injury- Virender Sehwag, player of DD has injured his shoulders just like what happened last year.

But the selectors have not made the same blunder as they did in the last T20 World Cup. Wiser selection has been done by choosing Murali Vijay, the experienced campaigner and one in the top 5 run scorers in the IPL.

Some of you might think Vijay is a test player and won’t fit in Viru’s aggressive shoes. But, he has been selected because of his superb playing in the IPL this year.

Will he do wonders? Lets wait and see.

The West Indies Cricket Board has made hell of surprises in  the T20 World Cup squad. The yougies, Adrian Barath, Darren Bravo and Lendl Simmons who played a major role in domestic T20 tournaments for WI have not been chosen.

But, Veterans Shiv Chanderpaul, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Jerome Taylor made a comeback to the West Indies team.

Andre Fletcher who with his poor run has not been dropped from the squad. He will open along with the long stand Opener Chris Gayle. He will also be a reserve keeper for Dinesh Ramdin.

The Chief of the selectors said:-

Wavell Hinds has been recalled and he brings a wealth of experience. He is a knowledgeable cricketer and we believe can make a good contribution in the middle-order as well.

The strength is in the all-round ability of the team. Overall, we have a balanced side with good all-round strength. We want to prepare well, because good preparation leads to good results

We have Chris Gayle at the top of the order and he can be a match-winner. It is also good to have our experienced players in the middle-order – Shiv Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan – and this gives us strength in the batting.

We are confident our players will deliver on the home stage. If we play as a unit we have a very good chance of winning the ICC T20 World Tournament

SQUAD:-

Chris Gayle (Captain), Sulieman Benn, Dwayne Bravo, Shiv Chanderpaul, Narsingh Deonarine, Andre Fletcher, Wavell Hinds, Nikita Miller, Kieron Pollard, Denesh Ramdin, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Darren Sammy, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Jerome Taylor

The England Cricket Board has named two new uncapped players, Micheal Yardy and Michael Lumb for the T20 World Cup this month in the Caribbean islands.

It is surprising to hear the name of Craig Kieswetter in place of the experienced campaigner Matt Prior.

Michael Lumb brought back Rajasthan team from crisis by opening the innings. The 30 year old English player has been given a chance to prove his worth.

Michael Yardy who led the Susex Sharks with his all round bowling and batting performance too has been given a go to his international career.

Meanwhile, Ravi Bopara who is having a good run in the Indian Premier League will make a comeback in the T20 World Cup.

Graeme Swann and James Tredwell will lead the spin attack while James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Ajmal Shahzad, Tim Bresnan and Ryan Sidebottom.

SQUAD:-

Paul Collingwood
James Anderson
Ravi Bopara
Tim Bresnan
Stuart Broad
Craig Kieswetter
Michael Lumb
Eoin Morgan
Kevin Pietersen
Ajmal Shahzad
Ryan Sidebottom
Graeme Swann
James Tredwell
Luke Wright
Michael Yardy

The South African cricket Board has named the T20 squad for the Caribbean tournament starting April 30th. Juan Theron is the only new and uncapped player.

Good signs for South Africa is that Graeme Smith who went back home from IPL suffering an injury will be alright and will lead the team in the Cup.

However, Wayne Parnell and Justin Kemp who got themselves injured in the IPL won’t get a chance to play in the T20 World Cup.

In Parnell’s absence, Juan Theron who impressed everyone by leading the bowling attack of KXIP from the front in IPL and won the match for them has been given a place in the squad.

With the presence of Rory Kleinveldt, the all rounder adds depth to both bowling and batting. He was a part of the Under 19 team and is in fine form now.

The Coach of South Africa told:-

I am delighted that we have Graeme Smith back from injury to lead us in this campaign. At the same time it is sad to lose players of the calibre of Wayne Parnell and Justin Kemp.

Rory Kleinveldt will be a good like-for-like replacement for Parnell. He is capable of opening the bowling or operating at first change and he has also been a regular death bowler for the Cobras which is an important area for us. Rory also gives us some good batting options down the order

Rusty Theron has impressed everybody both with his skills and his temperament both in domestic cricket and in the Indian Premier League. He was a key player for the Warriors in doing the domestic limited overs double.

South Africa are placed with India and Afghanisthan in the Cup.

SQUAD:-

Graeme Smith (capt), Jacques Kallis, Loots Bosman, Johan Botha, Mark Boucher, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Herschelle Gibbs, Rory Kleinveldt, Charl Langeveldt, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn, Juan Theron, Roelof van der Merwe