Cricket

The 2024 T20 World Cup, the ninth edition of the prestigious ICC event, is set to captivate cricket enthusiasts worldwide. Jointly hosted by the United States and the Caribbean islands, the tournament promises thrilling matches and intense competition.Teams and Format:The tournament will feature 20 teams, an increase from the 16 that participated in the previous edition. The teams have been divided into four groups of five each:* Group A: India, Pakistan, USA, Ireland, Canada* 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, NepalIn the initial group stage, each team will play against the other teams in their group once. The top two teams from each group will advance to the "Super 8s" stage, while the remaining three teams will be eliminated.The "Super 8s" stage will see the eight qualified teams divided into two groups of four each. Again, each team will play against the other teams in their group once. The top two teams from each group will reach the semi-finals, and the winners of the semi-finals will qualify for the final.India's Fixtures:India, one of the tournament favorites, will face the following opponents in the group stage:* Ireland (June 5, New York)* Pakistan (June 9, New York)* USA (June 12, New York)* Canada (June 15, Florida)Warm-Up Fixtures and Playing Conditions:Seventeen teams will participate in warm-up games scheduled from May 27 to June 1. Teams can utilize all 15 members of their squad in these matches. India's only warm-up game is against Bangladesh on June 1.Tied games will be decided by a "Super Over." If the "Super Over" also results in a tie, it will continue to follow "Super Overs" until a winner can be decided.Only the first semi-final has a reserve day, in addition to 60 minutes of extra time to finish the match on June 26 itself. If not, the game moves to June 27. There will be 250 additional minutes available to finish the second semifinal on the scheduled day (June 27) itself. For the final on June 29, there is a reserve day in place on June 30.

Rohit Sharma and Shakib Al Hasan, two cricketing legends, are set to make history by becoming the only players to have participated in every edition of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup since its inception in 2007. Their remarkable journey in the tournament is a testament to their enduring talent and resilience.Rohit Sharma, the elegant batsman and strategic captain, has been a cornerstone of India's T20 World Cup campaigns. In 39 matches across eight editions, he has amassed 963 runs at an average of 34.39 and a strike rate of 127.88, with nine half-centuries to his name. His leadership qualities and experience will be invaluable for India in the upcoming tournament.Shakib Al Hasan, the all-rounder extraordinaire, has been equally influential for Bangladesh. He has scored 742 runs in 36 matches at an average of 23.93 and a strike rate of 122.44, including three half-centuries. With 47 wickets, he is also the leading wicket-taker in T20 World Cup history. His versatility and match-winning abilities make him a crucial asset for Bangladesh.Both players are making significant comebacks for this edition of the T20 World Cup. Rohit Sharma returns to the Indian T20I squad after a two-year hiatus, while Shakib Al Hasan has successfully recovered from an eye injury. Their presence will provide stability and guidance to their respective teams.India are in Group A for the 2024 T20 World Cup, alongside arch-rivals Pakistan, co-hosts USA, Canada, and Ireland. Bangladesh are in Group D, facing South Africa, Sri Lanka, Netherlands, and Nepal. Both teams will rely heavily on their seasoned veterans, Rohit and Shakib, to navigate the group stages and advance to the knockout rounds.As they prepare for another campaign, Rohit Sharma and Shakib Al Hasan will look to add another chapter to their storied careers. Their performances will be crucial for their teams and will undoubtedly captivate fans around the world.

The highly anticipated T20 World Cup is set to commence on June 2nd, with experts predicting a thrilling final between India and Australia. This would be a rematch of the 2019 ODI World Cup final, where Australia emerged victorious.According to cricket experts from Star Sports, India and Australia are the frontrunners to reach the summit clash on June 29th. Former India pacer Sreesanth expressed his belief that India will avenge their ODI World Cup defeat and claim their second T20 crown. Sreesanth was a crucial member of the 2007 T20 World Cup-winning team under MS Dhoni.The tournament will be co-hosted by the USA and West Indies from June 2nd to 29th. India has been placed in Group B alongside Pakistan, Ireland, USA, and Canada. Their campaign begins on June 5th against Ireland in New York, followed by the highly anticipated clash with Pakistan on June 9th at the same venue.Other experts who shared their predictions include Brian Lara, Sunil Gavaskar, Paul Collingwood, Chris Morris, and Matthew Hayden. They all agreed that India and Australia possess the strongest squads and are the favorites to reach the final.India will be eager to prove their dominance in the shortest format of the game, while Australia will be looking to defend their title and extend their reign as T20 World Champions. The tournament promises to deliver high-octane action and intense rivalry, with the best teams in the world vying for the coveted trophy.

Ravindra Jadeja's excitement for Team India's upcoming T20 World Cup debut in New York is palpable. The tournament, scheduled from June 1 to 29 in the West Indies and USA, will see India face Bangladesh in a warm-up game on June 1 at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York."First time we gonna play cricket in New York, it's gonna be fun," Jadeja exclaimed in a video shared by the BCCI.The Indian team's first training session in the US revealed that the players are adjusting to the new time zone and easing into their routines. Strength and conditioning coach Soham Desai said, "We came in the day before yesterday and we just eased into our routines here, the players are just getting used to the time zone. Today we are having our first ground session."Star pacer Jasprit Bumrah commented on the pleasant weather and expressed his anticipation for the upcoming matches. "We have not yet played cricket, came here for a team activity today. Hopefully, it will be good. The weather is really good, so we are looking forward to it."Vice-captain and allrounder Hardik Pandya praised the vibrant atmosphere in New York, while Suryakumar Yadav highlighted the growing popularity of cricket in the US. "Very exciting to be here in New York, has a good vibe, bright sun out," Pandya said. "I heard the cricket is growing here in the US, so we are really excited and the first day here was amazing, so very excited for the few days coming up," Yadav added.India's T20 World Cup journey begins on June 5 against Ireland at the newly built Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. The highly anticipated clash between India and Pakistan is scheduled for June 9, followed by matches against tournament co-hosts USA (June 12) and Canada (June 15) to conclude their Group A fixtures.The Indian team will be determined to end their ICC trophy drought, having last won the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013. Despite reaching the finals and semifinals of various ICC tournaments since then, including the 50-over World Cup, ICC World Test Championship, and T20 World Cup, India has yet to secure a major ICC trophy in recent years.

Australian Test opener Usman Khawaja has expressed confidence that Glenn Maxwell's disappointing 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign will not affect his performance in the upcoming T20 World Cup. Maxwell, who played for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), had a tough season, scoring only 52 runs in nine innings at an average of 5.78 and a strike rate of 120.93.Despite his poor IPL form, Maxwell played a significant role in Australia's recent 2023 ODI World Cup triumph. The Australian team and fans are hopeful that he will replicate his success in the T20 World Cup, a format he excels in.Khawaja, speaking to the West Australian, dismissed concerns about Maxwell's IPL form, emphasizing his proven track record and resilience. "The IPL form is absolutely irrelevant. Maxy’s proven himself time and time again. Any player who’s performed over a long period of time understands that you can’t perform well every time you go out there," Khawaja said.Khawaja highlighted the challenges of T20 cricket, especially for middle-order batsmen who often have to take risks. He believes Maxwell is just one good innings away from returning to his best form. "But (for this tournament) if he gets one good innings, he’s away. It doesn’t matter what’s happened in the past. He’s not going to change his game and nor should he. Just keep going. He’ll find it," the veteran opener added.While Maxwell's batting impact for RCB was minimal, he did contribute with the ball, taking six wickets in 10 matches at an average of 21.50 and an economy of 8.06. He bowled a crucial spell of 1-25 in RCB's must-win encounter against Chennai Super Kings, helping secure a playoff spot.Maxwell's ability to adapt and perform on slow Caribbean surfaces will be vital for Australia in the T20 World Cup. His experience and versatility as an all-rounder could provide the edge Australia needs in the tournament.

Bangladesh's T20 World Cup struggles have been attributed to a lack of quality pitches at home, according to newly appointed captain Najmul Hossain Shanto. Despite being one of nine nations to have participated in every T20 World Cup since its inception in 2007, Bangladesh has never advanced to the knockout stage.Shanto believes that the team's poor performance is due to the low-scoring pitches in Bangladesh, which are not conducive to the high-scoring matches typically seen in the 20-over format. He emphasized the need for better wickets to improve the team's strike rates and overall performance.Despite their struggles, Bangladesh has shown signs of improvement in recent years, with series wins against Australia, England, and New Zealand at home. However, the team suffered a setback in a warm-up series against the USA, losing 2-1.Shanto remains optimistic about the team's chances in the upcoming T20 World Cup, which begins on June 1. He believes that if the team can execute their plans and make sound decisions, they can achieve positive results.The tournament is likely to be a farewell for some of Bangladesh's most experienced players, including Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah Riyad. Shanto expressed his desire for them to play in the World Cup and share their experience with the younger players.Bangladesh faces a challenging group in the tournament, with South Africa, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and the Netherlands as their opponents. They will begin their campaign against Sri Lanka on June 7 in Dallas.

Pakistan's T20 World Cup hopes rest on the shoulders of skipper Babar Azam, who aims to break the team's semi-final and runner-up jinx. Despite a chaotic build-up, Azam remains optimistic, believing it's their turn to lift the trophy.Pakistan's preparations have been marred by captaincy changes and coaching staff overhauls. However, the appointment of Mohsin Naqvi as PCB chairman and the inclusion of Gary Kirsten as white-ball coach have brought stability.The team has also bolstered its bowling attack with the return of Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah remain key figures, while Abrar Ahmed and Shadab Khan provide spin options.Pakistan's batting, however, remains a concern. Despite the world-record partnership between Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, the team has struggled to post totals over 200. Saim Ayub is expected to break up the opening partnership, while Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan, Azam Khan, and Iftikhar Ahmed form a formidable middle-order.Consistency has been a major issue for Pakistan, who have shown flashes of brilliance but also inexplicable collapses. If they are to challenge for the title, their batters must step up and match the performances of their bowlers.Pakistan faces a tough group stage, with India, the United States, Canada, and Ireland as their opponents. A potential clash with India in New York could be a pivotal moment, as Pakistan has only won one of seven T20 World Cup matches against their arch-rivals.Despite the challenges, Azam is confident in his team's ability to return with the trophy. With a balanced squad and a renewed sense of purpose, Pakistan will be determined to make the third time lucky at the T20 World Cup.

As the T20 World Cup approaches, the spotlight falls on India's star duo, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who are likely making their final appearance in the tournament. With India's last major title triumph dating back to the 2013 Champions Trophy, the pressure is mounting on these veterans to deliver.Rohit, 37, and Kohli, 35, have been the backbone of India's batting lineup for over a decade. Rohit, known as "Hitman" for his aggressive style, has been a prolific run-scorer in all formats. Kohli, on the other hand, is renowned for his consistency and ability to anchor the innings.Despite their individual brilliance, India has fallen short in recent major tournaments. They lost the final of the 2021 ODI World Cup at home to Australia and failed to progress beyond the group stage of the 2022 Asia Cup.Former India batsman Mohammad Kaif believes this T20 World Cup is the last chance for Rohit and Kohli to win a global title. "They lost the World Cup final in Ahmedabad. They played as if they had the cup snatched away from them. Hearts were broken and fans were devastated," Kaif said.The veterans will be looking to combine their experience and form to guide India to glory. Kohli had a stellar IPL season, topping the batting charts with 741 runs. Former India batsman Ajay Jadeja believes Kohli should open the batting for India at the World Cup.Rohit, on the other hand, had a mixed IPL season, but he remains a dangerous batsman capable of changing the course of a match. Both Rohit and Kohli have been part of India's past World Cup triumphs, with Rohit winning the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007 and Kohli playing a key role in the 2011 ODI World Cup victory.India faces a relatively easy group stage in this year's T20 World Cup, with matches against Pakistan, Canada, the United States, and Ireland. However, the knockout matches will be a true test of their mettle.As India's hopes rest on the shoulders of Rohit and Kohli, the nation will be eagerly watching to see if the star duo can end their global title drought and bring home the coveted trophy.

The upcoming T20 World Cup, co-hosted by the USA and West Indies, promises to be a spectacle of batting brilliance and record-breaking performances. The tournament's expanded format, with 20 teams competing, provides ample opportunities for batsmen to showcase their prowess.Most Fours in a T20 World CupSri Lanka's Mahela Jayawardene currently holds the record for most fours in the T20 World Cup, with 111. However, India's Virat Kohli is poised to surpass this mark, needing just nine more boundaries. Rohit Sharma and David Warner are also in contention for the top spot, with 91 and 86 fours respectively.Most Runs in a Single EditionWith teams playing up to nine matches in this edition, the record for most runs scored in a single T20 World Cup is under threat. Virat Kohli currently holds the record with 319 runs in the 2014 edition. The expanded format provides batsmen with more opportunities to accumulate runs and challenge this milestone.Australia's Historic SweepUnder the leadership of Pat Cummins, Australia are the reigning Test and ODI champions. If they can capture the T20 World Cup as well, they will become the first team to hold ICC trophies across all formats simultaneously. Australia also holds the U-19 Men's World Cup and the Women's T20 and ODI World Cup titles.Most Catches by a FielderAB de Villiers' record of 23 catches in T20 World Cups could be eclipsed in this edition. Martin Guptill, David Warner, Rohit Sharma, and Glenn Maxwell are all within striking distance of the top spot.ConclusionThe T20 World Cup 2024 promises to be a thrilling tournament, with the potential for numerous records to be broken. The expanded format, talented batsmen, and competitive teams will create an environment conducive to exceptional performances.