ICC 2016 World T20: Rob Key gets set for trip to India
Key talks Karl Pilkington, Kabaddi, curry, and some cricket too…
Tuesday 8 March 2016 12:12, UK
Rob Key will be Sky Sports' man on the ground in India, providing regular video diaries during the ICC World Twenty20.
Keep tabs on what Keysy gets up to throughout the tournament on our digital platforms, as he is embedded with the Ireland team initially before teaming up with England.
Ahead of his flight, Key talked Karl Pilkington, Kabaddi and curry. Oh, and some cricket…
I have been to India a couple of times before; it's a great place. I can't wait to explore as much of the country as I can, as well as watch how the teams prepare for the World T20 and see what they get up to on and off the field.
The producer has me earmarked for a Karl Pilkington-type trip I think!
Personally, I want to try a bit of Kabaddi. I used to watch it every Saturday morning, and play it with my kids. Maybe I'll make it along to a professional team and see if I can have a go!
I'll have my hands full with Ireland, though. It will be nice to meet up with the squad as I know a few of the guys. I've played with and against Ed Joyce for years, while Niall 'Nobby' O'Brien started off at Kent.
'Nobby' is very much like what you see on camera; he is a lively character, enjoys life and is infectious to be around.
But I still need to knuckle down and get some sort of pre-season under my belt out there for Kent. Who knows, if they pick up any injuries, they might even draft me in as a specialist fielder!
Ireland must be one of the most experienced teams of the associate counties, and they have a great chance to qualify given some of the players they have.
Having Boyd Rankin back is big for them, as they generally have always had a strong batting line-up but have lacked a bit of firepower with the ball.
I thought he was unlucky with England as he never really got an opportunity to show what he could do. He'll get that opportunity here, in an environment he is probably more comfortable with.
As for England, I reckon they are an outside bet for the tournament. In previous World Cups or World T20s that hasn't been the case - at times they've almost been lucky to qualify!
But now they seem to have a good formula, much like they did when they won in the West Indies in 2010.
I'm very jealous of the England players just now, as it seems like a really good time to walk into the team. Trevor Bayliss and Paul Farbrace have created a very relaxed and enjoyable culture about the place.
They very nearly won their white-ball series in South Africa - but for a dropped catch in the fourth ODI and a missed run out in the first T20I it might have been very different - and that was without a lot of their players being in particularly good form.
If they do find form, they can beat anybody. They have the right players out there, have a good balance to their team, and I'd say they are one of at least the top three teams in the competition.
I'm also looking forward to watching the likes of Chris Gayle in action. Virat Kohli, too, is someone I have always enjoyed watching play. Glenn Maxwell is another.
I think we're going to see some extraordinary cricket in this World T20 as conditions will generally be bat-friendly.
Plus, I'll be looking to sample some local cuisine. You're best off going with whatever curry you can rather any 'home' cooking. Leave it to the experts!
Sky Sports is the only place you can watch all 35 games of the 2016 ICC World T20, starting with Zimbabwe v Hong Kong on Tuesday 8th March at 9am on Sky Sports 2 HD. Or watch from £6.99 without a contract, on NOW TV.
