Pakistan are favourites in T20 blind WC: Sanjeev Dalal

"Pakistan are the most formidable side in this T20 World Cup and India's battle with them will be a brawny affair," he told reporters at the inauguration ceremony of the first-ever T20 World Cup for blind here.

"Pakistan is strong because they play the game regularly. Australia, England, South Africa and Sri Lanka are good teams, but Pakistan is way ahead of them," Sanjeev said.

Sanjeev, however, is hopeful about India's chances in the inaugural T20 World Cup.

Insisting that batting has been India's forte, Sanjeev said they are making rapid improvements in fielding and bowling as well as most of the players are in their early 20s.

"Batting has been our strength, there is no problem with it. This year we have also improved in bowling and fielding," he said.

Sanjeev further said that the current Indian team has some quality players up its sleeve. Ajay Reddy, who is regarded as Kapil Dev of the blind team, came in for special praise from Sanjeev.

"He is a fantastic fast bowler and a batsman like Kapil," he said.

Sanjeev said he is fondly called as Sachin Tendulkar of the blind team by his team-mates.

"Since Sachin is called Paaji by his teammates due to his seniority, my teammates call me Sachin because of my growing age," he said.

With a career spanning 20-long years and having scored five centuries and over thirty half centuries, Sanjeev plans to hang up his boots next year.

"For the past three months I have been thinking of retiring. What better time than announcing my retirement after the T20 World Cup," he said.

India begins its T20 blind WC campaign against Australia tomorrow.