One more year, one more world cup. This time it is T20 world cup with one more scheduled next year in Australia. These so-called world cups seem to come thick and fast. The tournament was scheduled to be held in India but the Covid situation in the country at the time the decision was taken to shift the tournament was desperate. Hence, the tournament will be held in UAE. When it comes to a world cup, who are the favourites to win the title will be first question asked? I see 2-3 teams as favourites. Let me try to analyse in cricket T20 world cup preview.
The red-hot favourites to win the title are England and India. The dark horses are New Zealand and because the tournament is in Asia, Pakistan.
About England and their ability
Now, England have become such a formidable force in the short formats over the last 6 years. From where they were in 2015 to where they are now, it is a complete turnaround. They have packed the side with hitters who are not afraid to play aggressive cricket right from ball one. The depth in the English batting is unbelievable. Jordan who walks in at number 9 is capable of hitting the ball out of the stadium. In the absence of Stokes and Archer, they do appear to be slightly weakened in both batting and bowling.
However, they have enough in the reserves to be able to offset that loss. The only concern for England is the form of their captain Eoin Morgan. His batting was pretty ordinary throughout the IPL. Though he was able to inspire a turnaround in KKR fortune and propel them to the final, his lack of contribution with the bat was the major sticking point. Whether he will be able to regain his form during the world cup on the same surface that was used for IPL remains to be seen. In the absence of Stokes, Morgan’s role in the middle is crucial. England will be in serious trouble if Morgan’s batting affects his thinking.
Now, if the pitches are slow and low as during the IPL, England will struggle. They do not have quality spinners to exploit the surface. On the otherhand, if the pitches are flat as expected during ICC events, England will be tough to beat. Don’t forget. They still possess the best batsman in T20 cricket. Dawid Malan.
Does India have the strength?
India does seem to possess the perfect blend of batsmen and bowlers for the expected condition. They have a formidable top three with a belligerent lower middle order and perhaps the best T20 bowler in the world in Bumrah. He will be supported by spinners like Varun, Jadeja and by Kumar. This will be Kohli’s last tournament as a T20 captain and this will also be the last tournament for the likes of Ravi Shastri and the coaching staff. They will really like to go out with a tournament win that was lacking throughout their tenure.
Much depends on the start the top 3 can give and how the lower order is able to capitalise on that. Kohli’s form during the IPL was really a worry. Though he contributed a few fifties, it is the lack of thrust during his stay in the crease that will remain a spot of bother. In Pant, Hardik, Jadeja and Ishan, Kohli has some of the biggest hitters in the game. He will have to completely utilise their services.
The dark horses
New Zealand are a dark horse. Mainly because this is being played in UAE. Though they have decent spinners to exploit the pitches, they do not possess the batting ability of India or England. Having said that, New Zealand have always managed to punch above their weight. Under Williamson, they have become a formidable test side capable of challenging any team. Williamson is coming off a poor run with SRH when his team finished at the bottom. Pakistan is another dark horse because of their experience in playing on the slow pitches of UAE. Babar Azam and Rizwan will provide the thrust at the top of the order but I think their bowling will be a problem.
Will Australia be able to add the one missing trophy?
Australia, for whom this is the only trophy missing in the cupboard, how dearly would they like to add this to their glittering cupboard? Will it be possible? I don’t think so. I don’t think that they will be a force to reckon with. They do not have the personnel for T20 cricket. Steve Smith who is otherwise a colossus at the test arena has never really managed to transfer that form to the short formats. Be it ODI or T20. Maxwell is in reasonable form but they will struggle with their bowlers. Quality for this form of the game is missing in their ranks.
Rest of the teams
West Indies are just a shadow of the defending champion that they are. The fact that they still have Chris Gayle in the ranks is startling. He is above 40 and well past his best. They neither have the batsmen nor the bowlers to threaten any of the top teams. On the otherhand, if they can reach the semi-finals, they have a good chance.
As for the rest, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Scotland, Namibia, Bangladesh and South Africa, I do not expect anything from those teams. South Africa have a captain who does not even score at run a ball. This tournament will be tough for them.
Cricket T20 world cup preview conclusion
All in all, if the pitches are slow and low, India will have a massive advantage with their spinners and batsmen who are adept at playing slow bowlers. If the pitches are flat, England will emerge as the massive favourite because of their superior ball striking abilities. Being an Indian, my support will be for India. Other than India, I would like to see either New Zealand or South Africa to win the tournament.
Whom do you think will win the World cup? Please comment below.
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