This group has an interesting mix of teams with unpredictable but dangerous Pakistan adding the touch of unpredictability. India will face two familiar and fierce rivals in defending champions Australia and Pakistan.
MS Dhoni’s side will be one of the favourites to win the title as they have won six one-day series in a row, including the recently-concluded tri-series in Sri Lanka. But as skipper Dhoni put it, the team will have to field better and the bowlers turn consistent. India have happy memories of South Africa — reaching the final of the 2003 World Cup and winning the World Twenty20 two years ago — but it will count little in this difficult group. India play arch-rivals Pakistan at the Centurion in what is being billed as the match of the tournament, one that is sold out. Then in 48 hours they take on Australia followed by the West Indies.
Teams can’t afford to have a slow start in this tournament. None of the three big in the group would want to allow a second-string West Indies, under Floyd Reifer, to spring a surprise on them as it would upset the applecart.
Australia added the Champions Trophy title to their kitty in the last edition but in spite of them mauling England they have lost a bit of their aura over the past 18 months. Teams will play against them believing that they can beat them and none will be more confident than India, a side that has managed to get under their skin recently.
Pakistan, as usual, come with a strong bowling line-up, one that is difficult to score off especially towards the end of the innings. If the World T20 champions can pull together as a unit, like they did in England and play to their potential they could taste success in a tournament they have never won.
Group A fixtures
Sept 23: Pakistan vs West Indies
Venue: New Wanderers, Johannesburg
Sept 26: Australia vs West Indies
Venue: New Wanderers, Johannesburg
Sept 26: India vs Pakistan
Venue: Super Sport Park, Centurion
Sept 28: India vs Australia
Venue: Super Sport Park, Centurion
Sept 30: Australia vs Pakistan
Venue: Super Sport Park, Centurion
Sept 30: India vs West Indies
Venue: New Wanderers
