Consistency in Twenty20 cricket is a tough nut to crack. India's build-up to the first ICC World Twenty20 to be held in the country consists of series wins in Australia (3-0), at home over Sri Lanka (2-1) and now the Asia Cup in Bangladesh, where they team went unbeaten in five matches to lift the trophy. Forget cracking nuts, MS Dhoni's team is swallowing them whole.
A superb record of 10-1 in 2016 puts India as one of the sides to back throughout the tournament, additionally so because of familiarity with conditions and a trump card in R Ashwin, the second-highest ranked bowler in T2OIs. More than eight years on from their title triumph in the first World Twenty20, India have three players who have featured in all five editions - Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh and Rohit Sharma - and with a fine blend of experience, youth and panache, this is a team to follow.
Since his return during the T20s against Australia, Nehra has mostly provided India that early breakthrough . (AFP)
India's group is the tougher of the two, with Australia, New Zealand and Pakistan and one of the qualifying teams to conquer. An early defeat or two could prove costly to India's aspirations, but on form, cohesiveness and confidence they have it in them to surge to the title.
Super 10 Group: 2 (Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan and Group A winner)
Strengths: India's strength lies in their batting - Dhawan, Rohit, Kohli, Raina, Yuvraj, Dhoni and Hardik Pandya, with Rahane in the mix too. Either batting first or chasing a total, they have experience to take the side past the finish line. Having a quality spinner like R Ashwin to bowl inside the Powerplay and during the middle overs is an asset any captain would love to have.
Weaknesses: There will be question marks over the support cast should one of the lead bowlers get injured or lose form. Pandya's weakness as a frontline bowler was shown during the Asia Cup final and Bhuvneshwar, Harbhajan and the rookie Pawan Negi have one match each to show for recent form.
Trump cards: Ashwin is the second-highest wicket-taker in T20Is this year, but statistics don't tell you how much control he's had on teams during and outside the Powerplay overs. On pitches that will aid his bowling, the offspinner poses a huge threat. With the bat, having a chaser like Kohli at No 3 - he averages 117.33 in 2016 - gives India a distinct advantage.
X-factor: This tournament could be the last major event for Yuvraj and Nehra - who got surprising leases on their respective careers with the call to Australia - and the pair should be hungrier than the rest. That could go in India's favour. Nehra has been a constant source of wickets for India during the Powerplay overs this year. Yuvraj has just one noteworthy innings so far, but you can never disregard a player of his skill.
T20I record
Overall: P 68 W 41 L 25 T 1 NR 1 World T20: P 28 W 17 L 9 T 1 NR 1 In 2016: P 11 W 10 L 1
Head-to-head World T20 record against opponents:
New Zealand: P 1 W 0 L 1 (2007) Pakistan: P 4 W 3 L 0 T 1 (2007, 2012, 2014) Australia: P 4 W 2 L 2 (2007, 2010, 2012, 2014)
Prediction: With the level of consistency shown this year, India have it in them to get past some tough competition in their group and into the final four. Thereon, plenty will depend on how the bowlers fare. If the wizardry of Dhoni the old kicks in on a knock-out day, as it did against Bangladesh during the Asia Cup final, put your money on India winning the title.