NEW DELHI: Hosts India are favourites to clinch the sixth edition of the ICC World Twenty20 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 title on home soil when the 16-team tournament gets under way on Tuesday with the eight-team qualifying round.

Dhoni was there when India won the first Twenty20 world title in 2007 when South Africa hosted the event in a victory that transformed a relatively new cricket concept into a game-changing phenomenon.

He faces enormous expectations again leading the national team as the world tournament finally comes to India, home to the richest domestic league and some of the most damaging batsmen in the format such as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

“The difference between teams can often be just one knock, one individual batsman having a very good day or one bowler having a very good day,” said Dhoni, who led India to a five-run victory over Pakistan in the final of the inaugural World Twenty20.

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.

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,” said West Indies legend Brian Lara.

The tournament gets underway from Tuesday with a preliminary league involving eight teams, two of which qualify for the Super 10 stage which will feature intense derbies between Australia and New Zealand and India and Pakistan in the picturesque hill city of Dharamshala.

In Tuesday’s opening matches, Hong Kong take on Zimbabwe and Afghanistan play Scotland.

The batsmen-friendly pitches are expected to make the 16-team tournament a run-feast much like the Indian Premier League, which has given experience of the conditions to star players from all over the cricket world.

Five countries have won the title in five previous editions, with India, Pakistan, England, the West Indies and Sri Lanka winning in that order. Australia have won the World Cup in the one-day format more than any other country, but so far the T20 title has been elusive — their best run resulting in a loss to England in the final in 2010. South Africa and New Zealand also haven’t won the claimed the T20 crown, but have the firepower to break their droughts

There are 35 matches to be played over 27 days at eight venues including the preliminary league.

From the initial phase, one team from among Bangladesh, Ireland, Oman and the Nether­lands will advance to Group 2, which comprises Australia, India, New Zealand and Pakistan.

Afghanistan, Hong Kong, Scotland and Zimbabwe will compete for a place in Group 1 featuring England, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the West Indies.

Published in Dawn, March 8th, 2016