Former Australia international Michael Klinger has offered a blunt assessment of what it will take to stop India at the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup, arguing that even well-prepared teams may need fortune on their side.
India will enter the tournament as clear favourites following a dominant run of form, and Klinger's comments underline just how narrow the margin for error could be for their rivals.
Photo by Matt King – CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images
Speaking to PTI , Klinger suggested that India's current level makes them almost unbeatable unless circumstances fall perfectly for the opposition.
"With the form they're in and what I saw recently against New Zealand, India are going to be extremely difficult to beat. A team will probably have to catch them on a bad night in a final to beat them," Klinger admitted.
The remark reflects India's depth across departments. Their batting has combined aggression with consistency, while the bowling attack has shown the ability to control games even on flatter surfaces.
Klinger's reference to a final is also telling. He believes knockout pressure, rather than tactical planning alone, may be the only realistic opening opponents get.
Klinger also singled out two players he believes are shaping India's edge over the rest of the field.
"Abhishek Sharma is probably my new favourite player. I've been watching him for a while now. Opening with Travis Head in the IPL and now doing it at the international level, he's fearless and amazing to watch.
"Ishan Kishan has come back in fantastic form and is certainly putting a case forward to start in the XI at the World Cup," Klinger pointed out.
Abhishek's aggressive starts have repeatedly tilted matches inside the powerplay, forcing bowling attacks onto the defensive.
Kishan's resurgence has added further selection headaches, strengthening India's middle-order flexibility. Together, they underline why Klinger sees India as the team to beat.
Unless opponents find the perfect moment and the perfect night, India look firmly in control.
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