Although everyone’s eye is on the ongoing IPL 2024, murmurs have started happening about the T20 WC 2024 slated to happen in WI and the USA in June this year. Rohit Sharma, in a funny gesture to Dinesh Karthik, whispered to the latter about his possible comeback to the T20 WC 2024 squad in the game against MI vs RCB. Karthik was batting well in that game, which might have prompted the India skipper to do so.
Team India’s bid for the elusive ICC trophy elongates with the Rohit Sharma-led outfit losing to Australia in ODI WC 2023 Final. It’s been over 10 years since India won an ICC tournament. India last won an ICC tournament back in 2013 when Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his boys scripted a fabulous win over hosts England in the ICC Champions Trophy Final.
This time around, will Team India win the tournament? Only time will tell! What we have got for all of you is our prediction for the potential semi-finalists of T20 WC 2024. Continue reading our analysis.
T20 WC 2024 Schedule Announced: 4 Groups with 5 Teams Each
As many as 20 teams will feature in T20 WC 2024. Teams will split into four groups. Each group will have five teams competing for the top two slots to qualify for the Super Eight round. From that, the top four sides will qualify for the semi-finals before the top two teams of the tournament fight for the biggest prize – ICC T20 WC 2024 Final.
Here’s How T20 WC 2024 Groups Pan Out
T20 WC 2024 Teams will split into four groups – A, B, C and D – as told earlier.
Group A
India
Pakistan
United States of America
Canada
Ireland
Group B
England
Australia
Namibia
Scotland
Oman
Group C
West Indies
New Zealand
Afghanistan
Uganda
Papua New Guinea
Group D
South Africa
Sri Lanka
Bangladesh
Netherlands
Nepal
While nothing can be said with utmost certainty about the outcome of these group fixtures, zarooribaathai.in introspected the teams’ strengths and weaknesses before coming to the top two sides from each group who would compete in the Super Eight round.
Group A
Arch-rivals India and Pakistan will likely make it from Group A
Group B
Ashes rivals England and Australia will likely qualify for Super 8 from Group B.
Group C
This is a tight group as a lot of fights are expected, especially among West Indies, New Zealand and Afghanistan. If the other two sides Uganda and Papua New Guinea beat any of these three teams, the equation will change dramatically. Keeping in mind all such possibilities and how these sides have been performing over the years, we have picked Afghanistan and New Zealand for Super 8 from Group C.
Group D
Another tough group with South Africa, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh capable of making it to the Super 8 round. However, the Netherlands have proven time and again that they can’t be taken lightly. They beat SA in the last T20 WC held in Australia and the 2023 ODI World Cup in India. In fact, they also beat Bangladesh in the 50-over WC. Keeping in mind all permutations and combinations, we reckon South Africa and Sri Lanka will make it from Group D.
Picking the Semi-Finalists of T20 WC 2024
The fluctuating nature of T20s often proves predictions wrong. A bad display for a couple of overs is enough to lose a game from a very strong position. Big hits or a collapse, in the end, make T20s the uncertain cricketing format we love and admire. But predictions are inevitable as they add gloss to the tournament. So, we have picked the potential semifinalists based on their performance, reputation and overall strength.
Australia – Firm Favourites for the World Cup
The ODI World Cup champions Australia look set to repeat the history of T20 WC 2021 where they beat their Trans-Tasman rival New Zealand in the final to record their only T20 WC crown. This time around, they look much stronger with guys like Travis Head, Maxwell and Mitchell Marsh in top form. The fact that these three can bowl too gives Australia the balance they look to outwit teams in the T20 WC 2024. David Warner would like to quit international cricket on a high by scoring plenty in the World Cup. Australia are a big tournament team despite only one T20 crown out of the eight editions since 2007.
India – A Team Desperate to Win the World Cup
Even though the ICC trophy has eluded Team India for over a decade, they possess the arsenal to go all the way. Batting wise, they look solid with Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal hitting out at the top of the order. The presence of Virat Kohli and Surya Kumar Yadav strengthens the middle order immensely. All-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel further bolster the batting unit. Bowling looks complete too with a combination of quality pacers and spinners. Jasprit Bumrah spearheads the bowling attack. His yorkers and the ability to control the game with incisive bowling make India a formidable force in the tournament. Whereas spinners like Jadeja and Axar may do serious damage in the middle order on slow, low surfaces in the Caribbean.
Defending Champions England Would Like to Retain the Title
Defending champions England are set to continue where they left on in the last T20 WC held in Australia. Their batters mean business from the word go. They put opposition bowlers on the sword and continue in that merry way throughout the game. Many teams have yet to figure out their weaknesses. Ben Stokes-led English outfit may continue their momentum to win the T20 WC 2024
Discard Pakistan at Your Own Peril
You can never write off Pakistan from WC cricket. They often start on a bad note and go on to the semi-final or final. The inclusion of Naseem Shah and Mohammad Amir, returning to the national side after more than five years, bolsters the Pakistani bowling unit. Batting-wise, they need more firepower. The likes of Babar and Rizwan will have to bat long and deep.
Wrapping Up
One just can’t wait for the T20 drama to kick in and make fans crazy with breathtaking strokes and remarkable spells of bowling. For more analysis on sports, finance, beauty, health and more, visit zarooribaathai.in where you get true information.
