T20 World Cup 2024: Four Teams Who Enter Marquee Event As Title Contenders
The T20 World Cup 2024 will be a 20-team event. It's also the first time USA, Canada and Uganda are participating in a men's T20 World Cup.
New Delhi: After the IPL 2024 concludes on May 26, the focus immediately shifts to the T20 World Cup 2024 which is set to take place in the USA and the West Indies from June 1. A total of 20 teams will be vying for the coveted title with the final on June 29. It’s also the first time USA (hosts), Canada and Uganda are participating in a men’s T20 World Cup. England and West Indies have won the title twice each while Australia, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have put hands on the trophy once. With just 10 days left for the mega extravaganza to begin, let’s take a look at the four title contenders.
India: Ranked no.1 in the ICC rankings, the Men in Blue have a perfect blend of youth and experience and will look to end their 17-year trophy drought. Champions in the inaugural edition, India came close to winning the trophy for the second time but lost to Sri Lanka in the final in 2014. On the unknown conditions in the USA and slow West Indies pitches, the roles of players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav will be the key to their success. Including all-rounder Shivam Dube too is a big bonus for India, as the left-hander showed his brutal avatar against slow bowlers in IPL 2024 and prowess against pacers. However, there are concerns over the form of Hardik Pandya but the all-rounder had a good record in ICC tournaments. India will start their campaign against Ireland on June 5 before facing arch-rivals Pakistan in the marquee clash four days later.
England: The defending champions are going with an explosive batting line-up that includes Jos Buttler, Will Jacks, Phil Salt and Jonny Bairstow, who wrecked havoc in IPL 2024. The addition of Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone and Sam Curran also gives a lot of batting fire power to the English side. However, Jofra Archer’s fitness will be a talking point for England. The Barbados-born pacer has suffered too many injury setbacks in the past which forced him out of international cricket since 2023. England will open their campaign against Scotland in Barbados on June 4. They are placed in Group B along with Australia, Namibia, Scotland and Oman.
3 Associate Nations To Look Out For
Uganda: The Cricket Cranes are going to make their T20 World Cup debut after shocking Zimbabwe in the African Qualifiers last year. With a new head coach in Abhay Sharma, Uganda are set to put their best foot forrward. They are placed in Group C along with West Indies, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Afghanistan. Brian Masaba will captain the side.
USA: Apart from being the co-hosts of the tournament, USA are going to make their T20 World Cup debut. The addition of a few former India players and former New Zealand international Corey Anderson, has definitely put USA as one of strongest Associate squads. USA are placed in Group B along with India, Ireland, Pakistan and Canada.
Namibia: After putting up a brave show in the 2022 edition, that includes a shock win against Sri Lanka, expectations will be high this time from Namibia. They finished on top of African Qualifiers ahead of Uganda, and are placed in Group B along with Australia, Oman, England and Scotland.