We’re better than 2013 winning side
GROUP B is loaded with heavy hitters, strike bowlers and some of the game’ biggest stars – but Virat Kohli stands alone as the pin-up boy of world cricket, and he arrives in England hoping to lead India to back-to-back Champions Trophies.
The defending champions, who edged out England in a memorable final four years ago, may not be the pre-tournament favourites – with England and South Africa carrying that unwanted tag – but they boast a squad packed full of experience and quality.
Everywhere you look there are weapons capable of causing irreversible damage in any match, against any opponents.
Rohit Sharma holds the record for the biggest ever one-day international innings, 264, Kohli, who is set to captain India in a major ICC competition for the first time, is arguably the finest batsman around and then with the ball there is Bhuvneshwar Kumar - who took 26 wickets at just 14.19 in the IPL.
But delve a little deeper and there are cracks that need to be papered over by the time they take to the field to face neighbours Pakistan in their first match on June 4.
Kohli had an underwhelming IPL, while veteran duo Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni no longer possess the explosiveness which made them two of the biggest hitters in the game.
And in a group which also contains South Africa and Sri Lanka, there is no time to ease into the tournament – India must hit the ground running, and their captain has big expectations.
“I am very excited as captain to be playing my first major ICC competition,” he said.
“As far as the team goes, we won last time because our fast bowlers did very well, our spinners were strong and our opening batsmen did well.
“This year the team is a lot fitter, the cricketers are a lot more mature because that was a very young group four years ago.
“We have gained a lot of experience in the last three or four years.
“In the Wold Cup you have a league and a lot of games to play but here it is group games and then either the semis or you are out.”
The tournament is being played against a backdrop of security concerns and terror alerts after the shocking events in Manchester on Monday night.
Cricket is not adverse to having to deal with those issues but Kohli insists it will not distract the players as they wait for the competition to get started.
“What happened here was truly saddening and very disturbing for everyone who saw it. Especially as England has not had many of these incidents that have happened in the past,” he said.
“I see life continuing very normally. I am sure there will be a lot of transparency because there is a lot at stake for everyone here: the ICC, the ECB, the cricketers – everyone is worried about everyone’s security so I am sure it will be taken care of.”
Another thing Kohli will want to take care of is his woeful record in England after an abysmal tour three years ago, where he averaged just 13.40 in five Test matches.
“For me it is a game of cricket. From then to now, I have shown mentally I am strong. England brings a lot for challenges for a batsman and I want to overcome them personally for my satisfaction at the end of my career.
“From that point of view, it is exciting for me.”
Kohli believes they are in a better place than they were four years ago, but even if it only because he is in a better place then they are serious contenders again.