India begin their T20 World Cup campaign against Pakistan (Picture: Getty)
India will go on to win the T20 World Cup if they manage to beat arch-rivals Pakistan in their opening match of the tournament, Suresh Raina has said.
India, champions in T20 cricket in 2007, begin their 2022 campaign on Sunday against Babar Azam’s Pakistan.
The Super 12 stage of the tournament gets underway on Saturday as hosts and defending champions Australia face last year’s runners-up New Zealand at the SCG.
After taking on Pakistan, India will play South Africa, Bangladesh and two teams from qualifying as they bid to become T20 world champions for the second time.
‘Definitely, if we win the opening game against Pakistan, we will win the World Cup,’ former India star Raina told NDTV.
‘The team is doing well right now. [Mohammed] Shami has replaced [Jasprit] Bumrah, it will give the side a bit of X-factor.
‘We have Arshdeep Singh, Suryakumar Yadav. Everyone is in good form and Virat Kohli is looking really good.
Suresh Raina made more than 300 appearances for India (Picture: Getty)
‘Rohit Sharma is a very good leader and if we win the first match, it will set a good tone for us. Everyone in the country is praying for them and I really want them to win the World Cup.’
India, who currently sit at No. 2 in the ICC rankings, beat Australia in a warm-up match earlier this week and face New Zealand in their final pre-World Cup game tomorrow.
Rahul Dravid has been forced to tinker with his squad after losing star bowler Bumrah and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja to injury on the eve of the World Cup.
Bumrah, 28, has been ruled out of the tournament with a back stress fracture, while Jadeja, 33, is struggling with a knee problem. India regular Shami has replaced Bumrah in the India squad.
‘I would not call him a perfect replacement because you cannot replace Jasprit Bumrah or Ravindra Jadeja,’ Raina added. ‘They have played consistently for India and they have given performances.
‘But the best option you had, you have selected him. Shami has given good performances, he has been in good form.
‘BCCI have done really well in sending the team to Australia 15 days prior to the tournament. The grounds are big, overall I think the preparation has been nice. We will need to play fearless cricket and show good intent.’
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‘The team is doing well right now.’