With the World Twenty20 about to get underway, we analyse the teams in contention.

Group A

India

Captain: Mahendra Singh Dhoni
Coach: Gary Kirsten
Star man: Yuvraj Singh. Yuvraj (right) hit six sixes in an over from Stuart Broad during the last World T20 and there is no more destructive batsman in this form of the game. He is also a useful left-arm spin bowler.
Verdict: The holders are likely to be strong again, but much depends on how they adapt to English conditions, which may not favour their power hitters.
Odds: 11-4

Bangladesh

Captain: Mohammad Ashraful
Coach: Jamie Siddons
Star man: Shakib Al-Hasan. Shakib is the rated the world's No1 all-rounder in one-day cricket, a fine effort for a man playing in a struggling side. His positive batting and slow left-arm bowling will cause problems for any team.
Verdict: They should not be underestimated and will probably edge out Ireland to progress to the Super Eights. Advancing thereafter should prove beyond them, however.
Odds: 40-1

Ireland

Captain: William Porterfield
Coach: Phil Simmons
Star man: Porterfield. The opening batsman must provide a solid start if Ireland are to avoid defeats against India and Bangladesh. Has experience of Twenty20 from a spell with Gloucestershire.
Verdict: The Irish will struggle to repeat their heroics of the 2007 World Cup, when they beat Pakistan and gave England a serious fright. A first-round exit beckons.
Odds: 250-1

Group B

Pakistan

Captain: Younus Khan
Coach: Intikhab Alam
Star man: Shahid Afridi (right). One of the most explosive hitters in world cricket, Afridi has the firepower to take any attack apart.
Verdict: Pakistan approach the tournament as the pariahs of international cricket, but this could serve to unite a side often ruined by internal conflict. Made the final last time and should reach the semis.
Odds: 6-1

England

Captain: Paul Collingwood
Coach: Andy Flower
Star man: Dimitri Mascarenhas. Forget Kevin Pietersen, Mascarenhas's huge hitting and shrewd medium pace can make the difference for England and also secure his reputation as a top Twenty20 performer.
Verdict: They should make the Super Eights by beating the Netherlands, but Collingwood's team do not have enough world-class explosive players to make a real impact.
Odds: 8-1

Netherlands

Captain: Jeroen Smits
Coach: Peter Drinnen
Star man: Ryan ten Doeschate. The South African-born all-rounder is a key element in the Essex side who have been one of the strongest one‑day units in England during recent campaigns.
Verdict: Ten Doeschate and fast bowler Dirk Nannes are undoubtedly international class, but there is not enough depth within the squad to give the Dutch a realistic chance of getting beyond the group stage.
Odds: 500-1

Group C

Group c

Australia

Captain: Ricky Ponting
Coach: Tim Nielsen
Star Man: Andrew Symonds. Left out of the Ashes squad, Symonds (right) remains one of the best Twenty20 performers on the planet, and has the ability to change a game with both bat and ball.
Verdict: This is the only global title the Aussies have never won, but the selectors have assembled a squad packed with class and character, and few would be surprised to see them lift the trophy.
Odds: 9-2

Sri Lanka

Captain: Kumar Sangakkara
Coach: Trevor Bayliss
Star Man: Lasith Malinga. His ability to produce devastating swing makes him one of the most dangerous bowlers in limited-overs cricket, and he must fire if Sri Lanka are to prosper.
Verdict: On paper, they have everything — explosive batting, world-class quick and slow bowling, and athletic fielding. But the suspicion remains that Sangakkara's men will struggle in English conditions.
Odds: 8-1

West Indies

Captain: Chris Gayle
Coach: John Dyson
Star Man: Dwayne Bravo. If every West Indian showed the commitment of Bravo they would not be in such a predicament. An outstanding cricketer who too often has to carry his team.
Verdict: They should be more competitive than in the recent Test and one-day series but Australia and Sri Lanka will prove too good for them. First-round losers.
Odds: 10-1

Group D

New Zealand

Captain: Daniel Vettori
Coach: Andy Moles
Star man: Jacob Oram. With his ability to hit the ball out of the ground and bowl a tight, nagging line, the giant all-rounder (right) was made for Twenty20 cricket, and is a very dangerous opponent.
Verdict: With players like Brendon McCullum, Daniel Vettori and Oram, the Black Caps should not be underestimated, although they may just not have enough to reach the semi-finals.
Odds: 9-1

South Africa

Captain: Graeme Smith
Coach: Mickey Arthur
Star man: Dale Steyn. Is there a better fast bowler in world cricket? Steyn has the pace, aggression and control to tear through any batting line-up — every batsman will fear him.
Verdict: Like Australia, South Africa have a formidable squad, both in terms of sheer ability and mental strength. Few teams look equipped to stop them and it is easy to imagine them reaching the final.
Odds: 9-2

Scotland

Captain: Gavin Hamilton
Coach: Peter Steindl
Star man: Majid Haq. The impressive off-spinner possesses the control and consistency to bowl economically and take wickets.
Verdict: Determined but very limited, Scotland will not be embarrassed but they do not have the talent to keep pace with New Zealand or South Africa. First-round losers.
Odds: 250-1