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NEW DELHI. — Hosts India are favourites to clinch the sixth edition of the World Twenty20 cricket in what could be a fairytale ending to the glittering career of captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

India, ranked number one in the world, will seek to become the first side to win the International Cricket Council (ICC) title on home soil when the 16-team tournament gets underway today. They are also gunning to become the tournament’s only two-time winners, with South Africa, Australia and the mercurial West Indies shaping as leading threats.

Australia, the top-ranked Test side, are desperate to win their first World Twenty20 crown, while Pakistan’s Mohammad Amir will play his first ICC tournament since returning from a five-year spot-fixing ban.

India come into the tournament on the back of an eight-wicket win over Bangladesh in the Asia Cup final, and have several key batsmen and bowlers in form.

“We are on track for the World T20,” a confident Dhoni said after Sunday’s victory. India’s hot streak of 10 wins from their last 11 T20 internationals, coupled with their vast and boisterous home support means Dhoni’s men will be tough to beat. “I think India will win. Their players know the pitches and they’re playing good cricket against the best teams in the world at present,” said West Indies legend Brian Lara.

India also have added incentive to lift the trophy on April 3 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata because of the fact that the tournament may mark Dhoni’s swansong. — AFP.