It’s time for another World Cup—this time in the shortest and most explosive format of the game. The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup returns, and what a stage it has found. Hosted by India, where cricket is nothing short of a religion, along with Sri Lanka, another cricket-crazy nation, the tournament promises a spectacle like no other. From February 7, the cricketing world will be glued to this grand carnival.
Interestingly, this is already the second T20 World Cup since the 2023 ODI World Cup, underlining how fast and frenetic the shortest format continues to become—not just in gameplay, but also in frequency.
As has often been the case in recent times, controversies have accompanied the build-up. Pakistan initially refused to play in India, resulting in all their matches being scheduled in Sri Lanka. Bangladesh, citing safety concerns, also decided against travelling to India. However, after an evaluation by the ICC, their concerns were not accepted, and Ireland was included in their place.
Pakistan indirectly backed Bangladesh’s stance and, while confirming participation in the tournament, announced it would not play against India. The full implications of this decision remain unclear. Should they persist, fans may miss out on the much-anticipated India-Pakistan clash. Historically, India has dominated this rivalry in World Cups, winning 15 encounters and losing just once.
Controversies aside, cricket lovers worldwide are in for a treat. Strong and competitive teams will battle it out for the coveted ICC Men’s T20 World Cup trophy. Adding to the intrigue, Italy—traditionally a powerhouse in world football—will make their Cricket World Cup debut after qualifying through the European regional qualifiers.
India, the current numerouno team, start as clear favourites. Not only are they playing in home conditions, but they also have a well-balanced side with all boxes ticked — an explosive batting line-up, a lethal bowling attack and an excellent fielding unit. Players to watch out for include Abhishek Sharma, who will be playing his first World Cup, along with Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy, Tilak Verma and Ishan Kishan.
New Zealand, on the other hand, are always formidable in ICC events. Kiwis often start strongly and, more often than not, find a place in the top four. However, they tend to falter at the business end of tournaments and are yet to win a World Cup. Despite that, they possess a group of hard-hitting players and will have their eyes firmly set on the trophy. Their key players include opener Finn Allen, all-rounder Daryl Mitchell and captain Mitchell Santner.
The Proteas, who narrowly lost to India in the previous T20 World Cup final, will be raring to go. Much like the Kiwis, they have consistently fielded strong teams but have failed to lift a World Cup trophy. This time, they come in with experience and firepower across departments, making them serious contenders. Watch out for opener Quinton de Kock, young batting sensation Dewald Brevis and all-rounder Marco Jansen.
Australia are, as always, a formidable unit. The most successful team in World Cup history and the current ODI World Champions, they truly are the kings of cricket. While their batting looks solid, their bowling has been weakened with Mitchell Starc retiring from T20s and skipper Pat Cummins ruled out due to injury. Much will depend on Josh Hazlewood and the younger bowlers. Whether they rise to the occasion remains to be seen.
England are another strong contender. Two-time champions, they will be aiming for a third title. They possess a well-rounded squad with quality all-rounders and an effective mix of spin and pace. Phil Salt, Harry Brook, Will Jacks and Adil Rashid will be key to their campaign.
Pakistan remain the most unpredictable side in world cricket. They can perform brilliantly against strong teams and then unexpectedly lose to weaker opponents. Their confidence will be sky-high after a recent 3-0 series win against Australia. They possess a potent bowling attack, though batting remains a concern. Players to watch include opener Sahabzada Farhan, all-rounder Saim Ayub and leggie Abrar Ahmed.
The West Indies, kings of cricket in the seventies and eighties, went through a difficult phase after the retirement of their legends. However, between 2012 and 2016, the emergence of power-hitters and all-rounders like Pollard, Bravo and Sunil Narine helped them dominate T20 cricket, winning two of the three World Cups. Post their retirements and ongoing board-player conflicts, their performances have dipped, but they remain capable of springing surprises.
Not much is expected from teams like Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, but in a format as unpredictable as T20s, one or two major upsets cannot be ruled out.
With the tournament being held in the Indian subcontinent, pitches are expected to be batting-friendly and high-scoring. Dew will play a crucial role, making it difficult for bowlers to grip the ball, especially while defending totals. As a result, teams winning the toss are likely to opt for bowling first. Spinners would play a decisive role in the sub-continent conditions.
In this competition, there is absolutely no room for complacency. Every match matters. In the shortest format of the game, any team can beat any other on its day. It promises to be a thrilling tournament.
No team has won the T20 World Cup three times. No team has won it consecutively. No home team has ever lifted the trophy. Can India do it?
(Manish Karapurkar is a marketing professional and a cricket enthusiast)
