Captain Virat Kohli's comments during the ongoing Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka have given some interesting insight into India's thinking ahead of the T20 World Cup in Australia later this year.
Kohli had already said he will be using this series to fine-tune the look of India's squad for the T20 World Cup – and further comments made after India's win in the second Twenty20 in Indore have expanded on things.
For one, bettors can probably look forward to left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja and leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal being used against left-handers. India have been pooled with England, South Africa, Afghanistan and a couple of qualifying teams for the T20 World Cup. The Proteas squad could include left-handers like David Miller. England might have left-handers such as Eoin Morgan and Moeen Ali.
The head-to-head battles will be intriguing, as India look to get the better of England, South Africa and others. England won the World Twenty20 (since renamed the T20 World Cup) in 2010, while South Africa hosted the first ever T20 World Cup in 2007 but have never won it. India won that 2007 event and have reached one final since, but have not claimed a second title yet. India are among the favourites to win the 2020 T20 World Cup, though, with Bet365 pricing India at 4.50 in the outright cricket markets. England are offered at 5.50 and the South Africans at 7.50.
T20 World Cup betting odds
| Team | Odds |
| Australia | 3.75 |
| India | 4.50 |
| England | 5.50 |
| South Africa | 7.50 |
| New Zealand | 8.00 |
| West Indies | 10.00 |
| Pakistan | 11.00 |
| Sri Lanka | 26.00 |
| Afghanistan | 51.00 |
| Bangladesh | 101.00 |
| Ireland | 501.00 |
| Netherlands | 1001.00 |
| Oman | 1001.00 |
| Papua New Guinea | 1001.00 |
| Scotland | 1001.00 |
| Namibia | 1501.00 |
“The spinners selection was purely based on the number of left-handers Sri Lanka have. Kuldeep Yadav takes the ball away, so does Washington. It's all about match-ups. If there are more right-handers, Jadeja and Chahal become more lethal. As a captain, you need more than five bowlers in T20 cricket,” said Kohli after the win in Indore.
Kohli, Chahal and others also in IPL betting markets
Kohli will again captain the Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 13, which will take place about six months before the T20 World Cup. It'll be another opportunity for him to all but finalise his position in the batting order and see where other talent his going to be placed around him. He will also have more chances to track the progress of fast bowler Navdeep Saini and spinners Washington Sundar and Chahal. All three are in the Royal Challengers squad for the Indian Premier League. Perhaps they will be able to help RCB win a maiden IPL title, which Bet365 have them priced at 8.00 to do this.
“You want to see guys stepping up, playing under pressure, trying to finish games. I want to play at three and four to figure out both positions and at the same time give a chance for the youngsters as well. Navdeep has come into the circuit as well, he is gaining more confidence in T20 cricket. You can really see him letting himself go,” added Kohli.
“When he does that, he can clock those speeds which he did. It's great to see him getting people out with yorkers and bouncers and with pace. It's a really good sign for the team. I think one guy will be a surprise package going to Australia.”
Latest IPL 2020 Odds
| IPL Team | Winner Odds |
| Mumbai Indians | 5.0 |
| Hyderabad Sunrisers | 5.0 |
| Chennai Super Kings | 5.50 |
| Delhi Captials | 7.0 |
| Kolkata Knight Riders | 8.0 |
| Royal Challengers Bangalore | 8.0 |
| Rajasthan Royals | 10.0 |
| Kings XI Punjab | 11.0 |
