India, Australia are favourites to lift ICC WT20 title: Sobers

Former West Indies star Gary Sobers has said that India and Australia are his favourites for wresting this year's ICC World Twenty20 2010 title, but adds that England and the West Indies also possess the wares to deliver.

"India will have a head start on most because of its experience in the IPL and it could push the rebuilt Aussies hard, even without my big friend Sachin Tendulkar. As for the Aussies - as soon as one lot retire, in come more world-class players," Sobers told The Sun in an interview here.

Sobers, who played 93 Tests for the West Indies from 1954 to 1974 and scored over 8,000 runs and claimed 235 wickets, said England's South African imports Kevin Pietersen and hard-hitting wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter could make the difference for England. He also said that the team's spinners, especially the impressive Graham Swann, would be suited to the slow Caribbean wickets.

"England and my own West Indies could spring a surprise or two, but my favourites remain Australia and India, even though nothing is certain in this form of cricket," Sober said.