Melbourne, Apr 29 (IANS): Former Australia spin wizard Shane Warne Thursday tipped India and Pakistan as favourites to win the World Twenty20 which begins Friday in the Caribbeans.
Warne, who just returned from India after his stint in the Indian Premier League (IPL), was quite impressed with the performance of Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who tops his list of best five Twenty20 players.
Dhoni was also the captain of Chennai Super Kings who claimed this year's IPL title.
"M.S. Dhoni is a very good captain, but Virender Sehwag is a massive loss with his shoulder problem," Warne was quoted as saying in the Herald Sun.
"India are the favourites because their players play so much in the IPL. And Pakistan because the format suits them. But Australia is playing more of it and understanding the game a lot better."
"However, there is no obvious standout team and the nature of Twenty20 cricket is that most teams will have a chance. It will probably come down to captaincy and tactics."
Warne predicts a run-fest at the Caribbeans given the small ground there.
"Lots of runs, players will be playing on some very small grounds. Expect combined totals of more than 400 on a regular basis," he said.