The T20 World Cup is back to the delight of over two billion enthusiasts worldwide. Running from June 1 to 29, the ninth edition of the high-profile competition will be co-hosted by the West Indies and the United States.
So far, the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 has distinguished itself from previous editions. Not only is it the first time that the U.S. plays host to a major ICC tournament, but a record 20 teams will be fighting for the title. This represents an expansion from the 16 participant teams at the 2022 Cup.
Just a few days ahead of the first match, Indian fans are speculating on the chances of “Team Blue” to defeat one of the strongest teams, Australia.
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How will India fare in the T20 World Cup 2024?
As of the publication of this article, India remains the favourite to win the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Coached by Rahul Dravid and with Rohit Sharma as their captain, the team currently occupies the top position in the ICC’s T201 rankings. With 47 matches played, 12410 points, and a rating of 264, the “Men in Blue” seem to have a clear advantage over the Australians.
The positive forecast brings hope to Indian fans who are still recovering from the crushing defeat in last year’s ODI World Cup. Just about seven months ago, the Men in Blue were defeated by Australia at the finals despite having won 10 back-to-back games in the competition.
This time, however, India is the number one contender for the title. The team’s squad for the T20 World Cup consists of Rohit Sharma (C), Hardik Pandya (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, and Jasprit Bumrah.
The seasoned squad promises to deliver results, with legendary Sharma having played all editions of the T20 World Cup. Other notable players, such as Kohli, Jadeja, Bumrah, and Pandya, also bring skills and experience to the table, which cannot be underestimated.
India boasts four top-tier spinners in Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel, with Jadeja and Patel also excelling as batters. This offers India significant flexibility and depth, allowing them to experiment with various combinations. Additionally, with seam-bowling all-rounders like Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube at their disposal, the team can adapt to diverse match situations.
The competition cannot be underestimated
In the ICC’s T201 rankings, the Men in Yellow, place second under India, with 33 matches, 8471 points and a rating of 257. On the other hand, the Men’s Test Team table has them on the lead.
While the team came on top at the ODI World Cup, they do not have the most stellar record when it comes to the shortest format of the game. Even so, the Men in Yellow count with a solid squad with seasoned players, such as David Warner, Glen Maxwell, and Pat Cummins. Meanwhile, Jake-Fraser McGurk, Travis Head, and Mitchell Starc have recently given remarkable performances at the Indian Premier League.
To get a better understanding of each team’s chances, check latest CWC 24 betting odds.
In addition to the Australians, India will have to face another dangerous rival: England. The defending champions are one of the strongest teams in the competition. Wicketkeeper batter Johny Birstow and captain Jos Buttler are fresh from scoring a hundred for Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings in the IPL.
In conclusion
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 is just around the corner, and the odds seem to be in India’s favour. A stellar squad of experienced and flexible players may be the key to success. However, Australia, who not-long-ago defeated the Men in Blue at the ODI World Cup, cannot be overlooked while England, the defending champions, boast a strong squad eager to retain the title.
