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"India need miracle to defend title"

Ravi Shastri feels it would be nothing short of a miracle if India retains the ICC World Twenty20 title.

The former India skipper believes cricket's shortest format is very fickle in nature.

"It would be miraculous if India indeed goes on to defend its crown," said the former all-rounder when asked about India's chances at the event.

Meanwhile, rival teams are busy planning a blueprint against defending champions India as critical Super Eight clashes of the ICC World Twenty20 loom later this week.ntroducing Yusuf Pathan as early as in the third over turned out to be Dhoni's master-stroke as the off-spinner broke Bangladesh's opening stand just when it started looking dangerous. Dhoni said with the pacers proving ineffective, he had to try something different.

"See, Yusuf is one of those bowlers who are very consistent. Even in IPL, we have seen part-time bowlers like Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina doing a great job. So if nothing works, you better try something out of the box than just going with the fast bowlers," he explained.

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Gayle relishing Twenty20 showpiece

Chris Gayle believes the second ICC World T20 tournament is the ideal stage for up-and-coming players to showcase their worth.

West Indies captain Gayle, who recently caused a stir by revealing a preference for 20-over cricket over more traditional forms of the game, is excited by the exposure of the second global gathering in England this month.

West Indies are in the toughest of all groups and take on Australia on Saturday at the Oval as well as Sri Lanka.

Despite their challenging draw, however, and a terrible set of results since arriving on tour here in April, Gayle views this international competition as a shop window for future franchise deals in a fast-changing 20-over market.

I try to stick to my strength, says Gayle

"It's a huge thing," said Gayle. "It's good for players to be able to make a name for themselves in this format of the game. You never know what the future might hold for them."

Gayle's hundred against South Africa two years ago remains the only one in Twenty20's short international history and he will be employing his usual method of brute force rather than adopting any of the trendy flicks and sweeps of his contemporaries.

"The only extra option for my game is to try to pick up more singles," Gayle said. "I am not too much into the fancy strokes. I try to stick to my strength, which is power: once I get it right I will clear the boundary, so I have to back myself in certain situations.

"I am an attacking person, and hopefully that can bring a lot of joy and smiling in the crowd. The environment is brilliant when Twenty20 is going on. When Test match cricket is going on it is a bit more laid back and quiet."

Gayle sat out the warm-up thrashing by England in midweek after blitzing seven sixes in an unbeaten 88 against Scotland - and will return to lead a team including fellow Indian Premier League players Dwayne Bravo and Fidel Edwards.