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Indian cricket team captain skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Tuesday predicted a keen contest during the tournament, saying the race for the title was too close to calls. after losing their World Twenty20 crown in England, India will take another shot at the title when they begin their campaign against new entrants Afghanistan here Saturday.

India won the inaugural championships in 2007 in South Africa that cracked the jackpot for the shorter format of the game. Twenty20 was an instant hit in cricket’s financial powerhouse India, who had earlier won a cricket World Cup (50 overs) way back in 1983.

But two years later in South Africa, Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s boys made an early exit which had tongues wagging whether the first title was more of a fluke. Pakistan emerged as the surprise champions.

Though India would be opening against lowly Afghanistan before taking on South Africa, Dhoni has made it clear that they would not take the war-torn neighbours lightly. Afghanistan would not be short of motivation. Far from the riches of Indian cricketers, the Afghanistan team has battled a raging war at home to come so far.
In two years, they have risen from Division Five of the World Cricket League to the elite 12-nation World Twenty20. They just missed out on qualifying for the 2011 World Cup but their gutsy show has earned them the full one-day international status.

They pulled off an impressive five-wicket win over Ireland in a warm-up match Wednesday and are looking to create a major upset to give back something to cheer for their countrymen.

We are here not just to participate,’ says Afghanistan head coach Kabir Khan. ‘The players and all of us are excited about the first game against India and we want to give them tough competition,’ he says.

India would lack the firepower in the batting department with the absence of charismatic Virender Sehwag who is out with a shoulder injury. Yuvraj Singh and Gautam Gambhir’s bad patch is also a cause of worry for the team.

The bowling though looks razor sharp with Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh, the two lead bowlers, having performed well for Mumbai Indians during the IPL. Dhoni will also have a host of part-time bowlers to pick from.

Indian squad -  Mahendra Singh Dhoni (Captain & Wicket Keeper ), Murali Vijay, Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Yusuf Pathan, Ravindra Jadeja, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Praveen Kumar, Ashish Nehra, Dinesh Karthik, Rohit Sharma, Piyush Chawla, R. Vinay Kumar.

Afghanistan squad -  Nowroz Mangal (Team captain ), Asghar Stanikzai, Dawlat Ahmadzai, Hamid Hassan, Karim Sadiq, Mirwais Ashraf, Mohammad Nabi, Mohammad Shahzad, Nasratullah Nasrat, Noor Ali, Raees Ahmadzai, Samiullah Shenwari, Shabir Noori, Shafiqullah Shafiq, Shapoor Zadran.

Kieswetter hits out during the final of the ICC World Twenty20 tournament against Australia at Kensington Oval in …
England’s Craig Kieswetter hits out during the final of the ICC World Twenty20 tournament against Australia at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown May 16, 2010. REUTERS/Philip Brown

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Pakistan’s Afridi reacts during their ICC World Twenty20 cricket tournament Super 8 match against England in Bridgetown
Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi reacts during their ICC World Twenty20 cricket tournament Super 8 match against England at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown May 6, 2010. REUTERS/Philip Brown

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Pakistan’s Akmal hits out against Australia during the second semi-final of the ICC World Twenty20 tournament in Gros …
Pakistan’s Kamran Akmal hits out against Australia during the second semi-final of the ICC World Twenty20 tournament at Beausejour Cricket Ground in Gros Islet May 14, 2010. REUTERS/Philip Brown

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Australia’s Hussey hits out during the second semi final against Pakistan in the ICC World Twenty20 tournament in Gros …
Australia’s Michael Hussey hits out during the second semi final against Pakistan in the ICC World Twenty20 tournament at Beausejour Cricket Ground in Gros Islet May 14, 2010. REUTERS/Philip Brown

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