The highly-anticipated T20 World Cup is set to kick off in New York this Saturday, featuring a record 20 teams and spearheading cricket's ambitious foray into the American market. While defending champions England and South Africa are expected to be strong contenders, the presence of match-winners like Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Quinton de Kock, and Kagiso Rabada makes Proteas a force to reckon with. Additionally, despite being the usual favorites, India's performance remains to be seen as they aim to shed their past near-misses and claim the elusive ICC trophy. With 55 matches spread over 29 days, including 16 hosted in the USA, the T20 World Cup promises to be a ground-breaking event, with the potential for unexpected upsets and surprises from teams like Afghanistan.
T20 World Cup Preview: India's Quest for Glory
The highly-anticipated T20 World Cup is set to kick off in New York this Saturday, marking a significant chapter in cricket's global expansion. The tournament will feature a record 20 teams, including defending champions England and South Africa, and promete exciting upsets and memorable moments.
India's Challenges
Despite being one of the favorites, India's performance in major ICC events has been disappointing in recent years. They were runners-up in the 2014 T20 World Cup and the 2017 Champions Trophy, and were eliminated in the semi-finals of the 2016 T20 World Cup and the 2019 World Cup.
India will be looking to shed this reputation and claim their first ICC trophy since the 2013 Champions Trophy. They boast a talented squad led by star batsman Virat Kohli, but they will need to overcome their tendency to underperform in high-pressure matches.
Contenders to Watch
England and South Africa are expected to be strong contenders for the title. England won the 2019 World Cup and have a formidable white-ball team, while South Africa has a combination of experience and youth in their squad.
Other teams to watch include Pakistan, Australia, New Zealand, and the West Indies. Afghanistan, the surprise package of the 2019 World Cup, will also be looking to make an impact.
Top 5 FAQs
1. When and where is the T20 World Cup taking place? The tournament will be held from October 16 to November 13, 2021, in the United Arab Emirates and Oman.
2. Which teams are participating in the tournament? A total of 20 teams will participate in the tournament: Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, Ireland, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Scotland, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, West Indies, Zimbabwe.
3. Which teams are the favorites to win the tournament? England, South Africa, India, and Australia are considered the favorites to win the tournament.
4. What are the chances of India winning the tournament? India has a talented squad, but they will need to overcome their tendency to underperform in high-pressure matches. Their chances of winning will depend on their ability to play as a unit and execute their plans under pressure.
5. Are there any emerging players to watch out for in the tournament? There are several emerging players to watch out for in the tournament, including Pakistan's Haider Ali, Afghanistan's Rashid Khan, and India's Ishan Kishan.
Indian cricketer Prithvi Shaw showed his softer side by sharing an endearing message for social media influencer and actress Akriti Agarwal. The duo recently celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi together, giving fans a glimpse of their camaraderie. Despite facing a setback in the 2025 IPL auction, Shaw is determined to make a strong comeback with his new team and has been working hard to improve his batting skills, according to Maharashtra's chief selector Akshay Darekar.
With a chance to continue their winning streak, Manchester United head to the Etihad for a heated derby match against Manchester City. Despite City's recent struggles, United should not underestimate their rivals as both teams are vying for dominance in the Premier League. However, with last season's win at the Etihad and a confident Ruben Amorim at the helm, United are poised to secure another victory. Meanwhile, the speculation surrounding the future of Manchester United's manager continues, with names like Zinedine Zidane and Sean Dyche being thrown into the mix.
In a thrilling match at the Johan Cruyff Stadium, Spanish champions Barcelona put on a masterclass performance against Valencia. The highlight of the game was Marcus Rashford's top-notch assist for Barcelona's second goal, showing his potential as a loanee from Manchester United. With Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski also scoring and the use of VAR, it was a night to remember for Barcelona's fans.
After being sidelined for 383 days due to a major injury, FC Barcelona's Marc Bernal made a stunning comeback during the team's clash with Valencia. The 18-year-old was greeted by a standing ovation from his teammates and fans as he stepped onto the pitch. In just a few minutes, he made an impact by assisting in the team's 6-0 win. This comeback marks a major milestone in Bernal's journey as a player and he will be looking to continue building on this next step in his career.
In a thrilling and high stakes match, India proved their superiority over Pakistan, winning by seven wickets. However, the Indian team's decision to not shake hands with their opponents and captain Suryakumar Yadav's dedication of the win to the armed forces sparked controversy and questions. India's victory was aided by impressive performances from players like Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Abhishek Sharma, who was hailed by Suryakumar as the player of the match. The win has secured India a spot in the Super 4s of the Asia Cup, making it a happy birthday for Suryakumar, who also achieved his personal goal of staying on the crease till the end. With the return of Sourav Ganguly as the President of the Cricket Association of Bengal, Indian cricket is looking to maintain its strong and successful legacy.
India's Kuldeep Yadav takes 3 wickets and Suryakumar Yadav dedicates win to Armed Forces at post-match presentation while Afridi's 36 runs not enough for Pakistan In a highly anticipated match between India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup, Pakistan's batting proved to be no match for India's spinners, with Kuldeep Yadav taking 3 wickets and restricting Pakistan to 127 runs. Suryakumar Yadav also shone with his statement dedicating the win to India's Armed Forces. In a dominant display, India easily chased the target in just 16 overs with a brilliant performance from Suryakumar and Afridi's cameo not enough for Pakistan.
The India vs Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025 has been a controversial topic, with some calling for it to be cancelled following recent events. However, the Indian Supreme Court has given the green signal for the match to proceed, citing the new Sports Bill which allows for multi-team tournaments but restricts bilateral ties. The court also declined to list an urgent PIL seeking cancellation of the match.
India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are set to kick off their journey in the highly anticipated Asia Cup 2025 with a clash against each other. Led by Suryakumar Yadav, India is seen as one of the leading contenders for the title, with a strong batting unit and a well-rounded bowling attack. On the other hand, UAE, led by Muhammad Waseem, is the underdog in this match, but will aim to put up a tough fight in front of their home crowd. With live streaming and telecast details available, fans are eagerly waiting for the showdown between these two teams.
Ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah proved why he's considered one of the best bowlers in the world as he made a successful T20I comeback against UAE in the Asia Cup 2025. With a searing yorker, Bumrah knocked over opening batter Alishan Sharafu, giving his team an early breakthrough. However, former India captain Ajay Jadeja felt that the star bowler should have been rested for the match against a weaker UAE side. Although there are concerns about his workload, Bumrah continues to shine on the field.
In their opening game of the 2025 Asia Cup, India displayed a dominant performance against the UAE, winning by a staggering margin of 103 runs. Kuldeep Yadav's four-wicket haul and Suryakumar Yadav's captaincy and batting prowess led the team to victory. This marks India's first T20 match since February and the team showed no signs of rustiness, asserting their status as one of the top teams in the format.