« Back to article

Print this article

Indian team's arrival in Nottingham

Defending champions India touched down in Nottingham on Wednesday to play their group matches for the ICC World Twenty20 against Bangladesh and Ireland.

India had a roller coaster ride in the two warm-up matches, losing to New Zealand in their first match, before announcing themselves with a thumping nine-wicket victory over Pakistan.

But despite being pitted against the two minnows, India cannot afford to take them lightly, especially Bangladesh, who played a big role in their ouster in the group stages of the 2007 World Cup.

Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni had rightly pointed out on Tuesday that they cannot afford to take any team lightly, especially in Twenty20 cricket where matches can change in a matter of few overs.

On Wednesday, the team appeared quite cheerful as they reached the Park Plaza Hotel at 1700 local time before some members went out to check out the local flavour.

Quite a few fans appeared in the team hotel to greet their heros and wished their heroes all the best.

"India will win the World Cup, Jai Ho! India," shouted S Krishnan, an India based in Nottingham.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh are also quite upbeat their chances and believe they could upset the champions if things went to plan. They had a rigorous two-hour training session in Nottingham as the Indian team chose not to practice.

The security has also been upgraded in and around the team hotel and also around the ground in which the two teams are based.

India open their campaign in the tournament against Bangladesh at Trent Bridge on Saturday followed by their second group match against Ireland on Wednesday.