Krishnamachari Srikkanth confident of India retaining T20 World Cup

Former India captain and current chairman of selectors Krishnamachari Srikkanth expressed confidence that the Indian team, led by skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, would retain the Twenty-20 world cup.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function here, Srikkanth said with the depth in batting and options in bowling, India remained the favourite to retain the title.

"I think the chances are very good. I think we have a very balanced side, both in batting and bowling. I don't forget England is a kind of place where the ball moves a lot, and ideal for our type of bowlers. So taking this, I feel we have extraordinary chances of winning or retaining the T20 World Cup," he said.

Meanwhile, reacting to injuries suffered by opener Virender Sehwag and pacer Zaheer Khan, former cricketer Maninder Singh hoped that on some occasions such injuries become a blessings in disguise, with the cricketers getting enough rest to recoup.

"Sometimes such injuries are a blessings in disguise. IPL was not that good for Virender Sehwag, may be he is in need of rest, which he is getting through this. Rohit Sharma is getting a chance, who has performed well in both the matches. So, I think some times team is benefited out of such injuries," Singh said in New Delhi.

Earlier, Indian cricket coach Gary Kirsten, who is in England with the team, said Sehwag had torn a shoulder muscle in the IPL and was uncertain how many matches he would play.

The defending champions open their campaign against Bangladesh at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on Saturday.