Odds favour India to win the T20 World Cup. India (68%) are also overwhelming favourites to beat arch-rivals Pakistan (32 %) in their derby clash in Kolkata on March 19. Both India and Pakistan are former champions. Pakistan have never beaten India in a World Cup clash.
If India win the T20 World Cup, it will be the first time that a host will win the championship at home. "There can always be a first and India are favourites, but only by a little bit," Gavaskar told NDTV in an interview on Monday.
According to the odds, India (32 per cent) are favourites. South Africa, who have never the tournament, are distant second at 16 %. Australia are a shade behind (15%) while England are at 11 per cent. Australia won a three match T20 series 2-1 against South Africa last week.
Strikingly, India, Australia, South Africa and England are the four teams on Gavaskar's list of semifinalists. Gavaskar justified his line-up on the basis of "current form."
New Zealand (8%), former champions West Indies (7%), Pakistan (6%), defending champions Sri Lanka (3%) and Bangladesh (2%) lie low, according to the bookmakers. The super-10 stage of the tournament starts on Tuesday with India playing Nagpur on Tuesday.