INTERVIEW - Gambhir warns against underestimating rivals

By Sanjay Rajan

CHENNAI (Reuters) - Prolific opener Gautam Gambhir has warned against complacency ahead of India's defence of their World Twenty20 crown in England next month.

"Twenty20 is a format where there are no favourites," the left-hander told Reuters prior to the team's departure on Friday.

"There is no place for tags in this explosive format as any player can change the course of the game in no time. It's down to which team plays better cricket on that day."

India have come on leaps and bounds in all three forms of cricket in recent years and have been installed as favourites to lift the second edition of the competition beginning on June 5.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni led a young team to a surprise success in South Africa two years ago to ensure the game's most explosive format gained instant popularity in cricket's commercial hub.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Dhoni heads another young and vibrant squad into the fray for a second time, raising hopes in cricket-mad India that the team can defend the crown.

Batting great Sachin Tendulkar, who does not play Twenty20 internationals, expressed confidence in the team on Thursday, describing their batting and bowling as "the deadliest combination" and one that thrived under pressure.

India play Bangladesh and Ireland in Group A of the 12-team tournament.