Cricket is no longer only a gentleman’s game, as it has attained a rugged form with the arrival of mass-hitting formats like the One-Day’s and the T20s. The T20 World Cup is probably the most anticipated and celebrated event of the sport since its initiation in 2007.
With its first-ever edition played back in 2007 and hosted by the Proteas, this year, in 2024, the tournament is being held by a record 20 teams in the ninth edition of the ICC T20 World Cup. The Windies have been the most dominant team alongside England, both winning the cup twice in their eight participations.
There is a lot special about this edition of the tournament, as the United States is for the first time hosting a major ICC cricket tournament, which shows the growing stardom of the gentleman’s game in the nation of rugged sports. Alongside that, Canada and Uganda are all set to make their first-ever T20 World Cup appearances.
With several new teams alongside the old folks in the hunt, let’s look at the possible set of teams who can be favourites in this edition of the T20 World Cup.
WEST INDIES
The host nation has always been one of the forerunning favourites in the shortest format of the game. They enjoyed success back in 2012 and 2016, both under former West Indian all-rounder Darren Sammy.
This year, Nicky P is going to be the skipper for the side, and despite his short stature, the cricketing world is well aware of his 6-hitting calibre. Alongside the skipper, the team is a complete powerhouse; from openers Johnson Charles and Kyle Mayers to finishers Rovman Powell and Andre Russell, the side is full of players who are often regarded as the most fierce 6-hitting talents the sport has ever witnessed.
With some support from the bowlers, the West Indies can be the favourites once again, as the short dimensions and fast tracks are what they prefer to smack the ball out of the park.
INDIA
The Men in Blue have taken their game to a near-perfect level, and hence they can never be left out as favourites in any ICC tournament. Though India has never won the cup since being its inaugural champions in 2007, they have been consistent qualifiers for the knockouts of the tournament.
Previously, Team India climbed the ladder several times before being defeated in the semis by the West Indies or the English. But without fail, with Pant’s inconceivable form and India’s fast bowling maestro Bumrah’s incredible accuracy, India can turn the tables this time around.
However, leaving out the vastly experienced skipper Rohit and a few veterans, many of the frontline players are making their debuts in the World Cups. Yet with the caliber of the young guns and led by the skipper from the front, India would once again look to be at the top of the world.
Especially after their final match exit in the 2023 World Cup, the Men in Blue and Rohit Sharma would be desperate to clinch the title.
AUSTRALIA
Last but not least, here comes the World Cup champion, Australia. Australia has been restoring its dominance in both red and white-ball cricket in recent years. After their record 6th World Cup win in 2023, the Kangaroos have been unstoppable as they clinched their first-ever T20 World Cup in 2021 under Aaron Finch.
Remembering the last edition, Team Australia, despite their valiant efforts, could not qualify for the knockouts despite having the same points as the other two qualifiers from Group A. Though they were swept off the 2022 T20 World Cup in their land, different conditions and a different format still keep the Australians in the hunt for the top 3 spots.
Led by skipper Mitchell Marsh, the Aussies are a total balance of youth and experience, as they have the young and unstoppable Head, Cameron Green, and Tim David alongside the vastly experienced Warner, Maxwell, Starc, Cummins, and ace spinner Adam Zampa. This is what makes Australia the recent favourites for the T20 World Cup 2024.