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.
Former Indian cricketer and chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, spoke at the NDTV World Summit about his experience in different cricketing roles. He said that his current job as a chief selector is the toughest because of the pressure to make decisions that can make or break players' careers. This is especially difficult in a country like India, where there is a plethora of talented players. Agarkar also shared that his playing days gave him the greatest satisfaction.
In a recent interview, chief selector Agarkar discussed the future of star duo Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as the 2027 ODI World Cup approaches. While they are set to return to the team for the upcoming series against Australia, Agarkar hinted at the possibility of newer, younger players joining the squad as well. However, he also emphasized the past achievements and contributions of Rohit and Kohli to the team and assured that they will not be judged harshly based on their performance in the upcoming matches. Ultimately, the team combination and management's decision will play a crucial role in determining the veteran duo's involvement in the mega event.
After remaining tight-lipped on the matter, the Chief Selector of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Ajit Agarkar, has finally addressed the question on everyone's mind - Will Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma be part of India's ODI World Cup squad in 2027? Agarkar stated that it is difficult to say what the future holds for the two star players and that they will not be judged on every series they play. He also emphasized on the importance of respecting legacy players like Kohli and Rohit.
Indian shuttler Tanvi Sharma made history by clinching a medal for India at the BWF World Junior Championships. Facing tough competition, Tanvi came back from losing the first game and won the next two, securing a spot in the semifinals. Celebrations broke out, with Tanvi's reaction and junior women's coach Park Tae-sang's elation going viral on social media. This accomplishment marks the first time an Indian woman has won a World Junior medal since Saina Nehwal's triumph in 2008.
Young Indian shuttler Tanvi Sharma secured a medal for India at the BWF World Junior Championships after defeating Japan's Saki Matsumoto in a thrilling quarterfinal match. Despite a shaky start, Tanvi showed her grit and tactical maturity to make a stunning comeback and secure her spot in the semifinals. While Tanvi celebrated her victory, India's young mixed doubles pair Unnati Hooda and Tanish Sharma fell short in the quarterfinals, losing to Thailand's Anyapat Phichitphon and ending their bid for a medal.
In a thrilling Ranji Trophy 2025-26 match between Madhya Pradesh and Punjab, MP captain Rajat Patidar hit a massive milestone by scoring his first ever First Class double hundred. In a spectacular display of skill and determination, Patidar reached the landmark figure off the 328th ball of his innings, beating his previous best First Class score of 196. This victory further solidifies Patidar's new role as MP's all-format skipper, cementing him as one of the top players to watch out for in the upcoming cricket season.
Following the departures of several top members of their backroom staff, including head coach Chandrakant Pandit, the Kolkata Knight Riders seem to be on the lookout for a new coach. Fans are speculating that legendary spinner and former India captain Anil Kumble, who has a wealth of coaching experience both internationally and in the IPL, could be the one to take over the reins. With a record-breaking career as a player and a proven track record as a mentor, Kumble could be just the person to lead the underperforming KKR to glory in the upcoming season.
Australia's all-rounder Cameron Green has been ruled out of the upcoming three-ODI series against India due to 'side soreness'. This has raised concerns about his fitness for the 2025 Ashes, as his all-round abilities are crucial for the team. The board has called up Marnus Labuschagne as a replacement and expects Green to be available for the third round of Sheffield Shield. This move shows Australia's complete priority towards the Ashes, with first-choice wicketkeeper Alex Carey also missing the first ODI for his Ashes preparation.
Former Indian cricketer Anil Kumble celebrates his birthday. He holds the record for most Test wickets by an Indian and is also the leading wicket-taker for India in ODIs. Kumble was the second player in history to take all ten wickets in a Test match innings and later went on to coach the Indian team to numerous victories. He was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame in 2015.
The Australian Cricket Team has suffered a major blow as all-rounder Cameron Green has been ruled out of the upcoming ODI series against the Indian Cricket Team due to an injury. In his place, Marnus Labuschagne has been added to the squad, after initially being overlooked for poor performance in the previous series. This is the third change in Australia's ODI squad, with two previous players opting out. Green will undergo rehabilitation and is expected to return for the Ashes series in 2025-26.