As the T20 World Cup heads to the West Indies and the United States for its ninth edition, captains Rohit Sharma and Babar Azam are poised to make a significant impact on the international game. With an average age of 30.65, these leaders will not only bring their characteristic styles to the tournament, but also set the template for their teams in the league stage. As Rohit Sharma, the current record holder for the most sixes in international cricket, vies to add to his tally of 598 sixes, Babar Azam aims to catch up with Virat Kohli as the leading run scorer in T20Is. Along with these individual milestones, the two captains will also be leading their teams in a race for victories and records in the tournament.
Rohit Sharma, Babar Azam Poised to Lead Charge at T20 World Cup 2024
As the T20 World Cup returns to the West Indies and the United States in 2024, all eyes will be on captains Rohit Sharma and Babar Azam. These two leaders will not only bring their characteristic styles to the tournament but also set the template for their teams in the league stage.
Rohit Sharma: The Six-Hitting Machine
Rohit Sharma is currently the record holder for the most sixes in international cricket, with a staggering 598 sixes to his name. He is known for his aggressive batting style and ability to clear the boundary with ease. In the 2024 T20 World Cup, he will be looking to add to his tally and lead his Indian team to glory.
Babar Azam: The Chase Master
Babar Azam is the leading run-scorer in T20Is, with over 3,000 runs to his credit. He is known for his consistency and ability to chase down big totals. In the 2024 T20 World Cup, he will be aiming to catch up with Virat Kohli and lead his Pakistani team to success.
Leadership Clash
Both Rohit Sharma and Babar Azam are experienced captains who have led their teams to numerous victories. In the 2024 T20 World Cup, they will be looking to outsmart each other tactically and lead their teams to the title.
Team Dynamics
India and Pakistan are two of the most successful teams in the history of the T20 World Cup. India has won the tournament twice, while Pakistan has won it once. In 2024, both teams will be looking to add to their trophy cabinets and prove their dominance in the shortest format of the game.
Top 5 FAQs
1. When is the 2024 T20 World Cup?
The 2024 T20 World Cup will be held from June 6 to July 1 in the West Indies and the United States.
2. How many teams will participate in the tournament?
Sixteen teams will participate in the 2024 T20 World Cup.
3. Which teams have qualified for the tournament so far?
The following teams have already qualified for the 2024 T20 World Cup: Australia, England, New Zealand, India, and Pakistan.
4. What is the format of the tournament?
The tournament will follow a round-robin format, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals.
5. Who is the defending champion?
Australia is the defending champion, having won the 2021 T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.
Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi create history with their unbeaten partnership and become the first pair to remain unbeaten throughout an entire day of play in a Test since 2018. This is also the highest stand for any wicket against Zimbabwe, breaking the record set in 2004. Additionally, it is the third instance of three Zimbabwe batters scoring a century in a Test innings. Afghanistan's Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi made history on day 3 of the first Test against Zimbabwe with an unbeaten partnership and a record-breaking performance. Their stand of 361* runs is not only the highest for Afghanistan in Tests, but also the second-highest against Zimbabwe. The day also saw three Zimbabwe batsmen scoring centuries, making it the third instance in their history.
Manchester City star Riyad Mahrez has spoken about the bittersweet moments of his career, reflecting on his time with Leicester City where he went from being a title-winning hero to being blocked from joining Arsenal. In a candid conversation, Mahrez expressed his frustration over the missed opportunity and the challenges of transitioning from a league star to a relegation battler. With two of his former clubs facing off this weekend, the Algerian's journey will be on full display.
Former Australian cricketer and head coach Justin Langer has come to the defense of Indian captain Virat Kohli, claiming that he is still the best batter in the world despite his recent shortcomings. Langer justified his decision by pointing out Kohli's wide array of shots, impeccable leadership qualities, and supreme fitness. This comes after Kohli's dismissal on 36 runs in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which has attracted scrutiny towards the veteran batter.
As the Hockey India League kicked off in Rourkela, fans were treated to an exciting game between newcomers Delhi SG Pipers and Gonasika. While the match ended in a 2-2 draw in regulation time, Delhi emerged victorious in the penalty shootout, with Tomas Domene and Aditya Lalage proving to be the heroes for their team. Despite a strong performance from both sides, Gonasika's missed opportunities in the shootout cost them the victory.
Arsenal's young star Bukayo Saka has suffered a hamstring injury and undergone surgery, after a series of injuries this season. In light of this, the team had a tough battle against Ipswich but came out victorious thanks to a goal by Kai Havertz. Despite the setback, Saka remains optimistic and is determined to come back stronger. However, it is likely that he will be absent for more than two months.
Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar and former Australian opener Justin Langer pointed out the risky single taken by Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli's misjudgment, leading to the former's run-out in the fourth Test match in Melbourne. The run-out had a significant impact on India's performance as they collapsed after Jaiswal's exit. With seasoned off-spinner Nathan Lyon expected to come into play on day three, India will need to put their heads down and build a strong partnership to stay in the game against the dominating Australian side.
During Day 2 of the 4th Test between India and Australia, former BCCI chief selector MSK Prasad expressed his disappointment with Rohit Sharma's performance as both a captain and a batsman. Prasad also attributed Rohit's struggle in the series to his lack of form and match practice beforehand. Meanwhile, Steve Smith's century and a 112-run stand with captain Pat Cummins helped Australia maintain a strong lead over India on the second day of the Boxing Day Test match.
Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar and Sunil Gavaskar discuss Rishabh Pant's mode of dismissal in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy fourth Test against Australia. Manjrekar points out that the wicketkeeper-batter will be questioned if he continues to get out while attempting unconventional shots. Gavaskar lambasts Pant, labeling his dismissal as 'stupid' and criticizing his shot selection. Despite Pant's early dismissal, India managed to cross the 300-run mark on Day 3 thanks to a seventh-wicket partnership between Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar. Follow Sportskeeda's live updates for the latest news and biddings at the IPL Auction 2025.
India's Nitish Kumar Reddy wowed the world with his extraordinary maiden Test century at the MCG, becoming the third youngest Indian to achieve the feat. After the third day's play, Reddy was welcomed by his emotional family members, including his father who had left his job to support Reddy's cricket journey. The BCCI released a video of the heartwarming reunion, capturing the overwhelming emotions of Reddy's mother, father, and sister. Reddy put up a resilient performance alongside Washington Sundar to rescue India from a precarious position and secure a potential match-saving unbeaten 105.
In a heartwarming gesture, India's Virat Kohli reached out and patted Australia's Steve Smith on the back after the latter scored his 34th Test century during the ongoing Boxing Day Test. This comes just a day after Kohli's heated altercation with Sam Konstas, which resulted in a fine from the International Cricket Council. Kohli's act of sportsmanship serves as an inspiration for all, especially after India suffered a familiar collapse after a crucial run-out on day two.