India’s performance in the recent series against New Zealand showed why the defending champions would be extremely tough to beat in the T20 World Cup beginning on February 7, said former Australian cricketer turned coach Michael Klinger.

India’s aggressive top-order core makes them arguably the strongest unit going into the ICC event, according to Klinger, the head coach of WPL franchise Gujarat Giants.

“With the form they’re in and what I saw recently against New Zealand, India are going to be extremely difficult to beat. A team will probably have to catch them on a bad night in a final to beat them,” Klinger told PTI Videos in an interaction. Klinger said Abhishek Sharma’s rise has been a standout feature of India’s new template at the top.

“Abhishek Sharma is probably my new favourite player. I’ve been watching him for a while now. Opening with Travis Head in the IPL and now doing it at international level, he’s fearless and amazing to watch,” said Klinger, who played three T20s for Australia besides appearing in 182 first-class games.

India’s fearless approach was displayed by Abhishek and Kishan, who consistently put New Zealand bowlers under pressure.

“Ishan Kishan has come back in fantastic form and is certainly putting a case forward to start in the XI at the World Cup,” he said, adding that India’s depth has turned selection into a challenge rather than a concern.

Klinger, however, cautioned that India would face stiff competition from traditional rivals.

“Australia and South Africa are strong teams. South Africa, coming off a lot of T20 cricket recently, will be dangerous as well,” he said.