The grand spectacle of T20 cricket, the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, has finally arrived, featuring 20 teams divided into four groups. As the tournament unfolds, numerous talking points emerge. Will India finally end their trophy drought? Can Pakistan or Sri Lanka secure a second title? Might South Africa defy expectations and emerge victorious? And what about USA, Ireland, and the Netherlands? Could they potentially cause upsets in the group phase? With so many questions, anticipation runs high. Additionally, who will fall short and miss out on progressing to the next phase? Here’s an overview of Groups A and D in the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Group A
India
Strengths
The Indian batting line-up is formidable, featuring stars such as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Rohit, the captain, provides a strong presence at the top of the order. Meanwhile, the bowling attack, spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah, is robust. Bumrah has claimed 74 T20I wickets with an economy rate of 6.55, showcasing his effectiveness, particularly in the death overs. Kuldeep Yadav’s recent form with the ball has also been impressive.
The squad boasts a fine balance with the inclusion of players like Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel.
Weakness
There are concerns regarding India’s inability to win the big matches. The last time they made the final was in 2014. Overcoming this challenge will test the team’s resilience and their ability to move past previous setbacks.
Player to watch
With two previous Man of the Tournament awards (in 2014 and 2016) and the highest run tally in the tournament’s history (1141 runs in 27 matches), Kohli’s current form and experience make him India’s MVP.
Where will they finish? First place in their group.
Pakistan
Strengths
The Green Army’s bowling attack stands out as their greatest asset, especially their prowess with the new ball. The presence of Mohammad Amir, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Shah Afridi instills caution in opponents and keeps them on their toes.
Weakness
An unsettled batting line-up is a significant concern for Pakistan. The question of who will open remains unanswered despite the recent T20I series against England. The poor form of Fakhar Zaman and Azam Khan adds to the fragility of their middle order.
Player to watch
Babar Azam, Pakistan’s captain once again, is hailed as one of the finest batsmen across all formats. His role at the top of the order is pivotal, and Pakistan’s success in the tournament will rely heavily on his performance.
Projected Finish: Second in Group B
Ireland
Strengths
Ireland’s batting line-up boasts depth, and they possess a strong pace bowling attack. With several utility players who can make an impact with both bat and ball, they have the ability to turn matches around.
Weakness
The lack of quality spin bowling options poses a challenge for Ireland. While George Dockrell provides some spin, there’s a shortage of experience and quality in this department. Additionally, the absence of seasoned death bowlers could make it challenging to contain runs during crucial overs, affecting their ability to defend totals effectively.
Player to watch
Lorcan Tucker has been in exceptional form recently, amassing 227 runs at an average of 37.83 in the last two series, making him a key player to watch out for.
Where will they finish? Third.
USA
Strengths
Team USA benefits from the experienced leadership of Monank Patel as captain, providing stability and direction amidst the challenges of the competition. The all-round brilliance of Corey Anderson, akin to David Wiese’s impact for Namibia, adds value to the team. In-form players like Aaron Jones, Andries Gous, Saurabh Netravalkar, Harmeet Singh, and Nisarg Patel provide depth and potential for causing upsets.
Weakness
The lack of depth beyond a few key players makes Team USA’s batting line-up susceptible to collapses when under pressure. Additionally, their limited experience in elite international cricket may hinder their ability to perform well in high-pressure situations.
Player to Watch
Aaron Jones showcased his hunger for runs with a stellar 94 in USA’s first game against Canada, demonstrating his potential to wreak havoc on opposition teams. As vice-captain, he is expected to continue making significant contributions.
Projected Finish: Fourth Place in the Group
Canada
Strengths
The Canadian national team boasts young talent with potential, offering hope for a bright future on the global stage. Competing in the T20 World Cup provides them with a platform to showcase their skills. Their bowling attack, led by Saad Bin Zafar, appears formidable on paper.
Weakness
Similar to the USA, Canada’s lack of exposure to top teams could prove detrimental. Inconsistent performances hinder their ability to gain valuable experience and develop competitiveness. Their batting line-up is prone to collapses, and their bowlers struggle with inconsistency.
Player to Watch
Saad Bin Zafar plays a crucial role in Canada’s bowling attack, utilising his left-arm spin to apply pressure on batters and pick up crucial wickets. As the Canadian skipper, his contributions with both bat and ball are vital for the team’s success.
Projected Finish: Fifth Place in the Group
Group D
South Africa
Strengths
South Africa’s batting order exudes power and depth, posing a formidable challenge to any bowling attack. Featuring players like Heinrich Klaasen, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, and Reeza Hendricks, among others, it is a nightmare for opposition bowlers. Additionally, the team benefits from the spin prowess of Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi, who excel on slow pitches.
Weakness
Concerns arise over Quinton de Kock’s form, particularly in the crucial opening position where his performance is pivotal. South Africa’s historic Achilles’ heel lies in their inconsistent performances under pressure, often faltering in critical moments despite fielding strong teams. This has stopped them winning major titles, and earned them the unwanted ‘Chokers’ tag.
Player to Watch
Tabraiz Shamsi is expected to take the role of South Africa’s primary spin bowler in the T20 World Cup 2024. With extensive experience, including 65 T20Is since his debut in 2017, and 78 wickets to his name, Shamsi brings a wealth of skill and threat to the bowling attack. His ability to exploit spin-friendly conditions is expected to pose significant challenges for opposing batsmen.
Projected Finish: First Place in the Group
Strengths
Sri Lanka possesses a formidable bowling attack with a diverse range of talents, including pacers like Dilshan Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thusara, and Dushmantha Chameera. Complementing them are quality spinners such as Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana, capable of turning the game’s tide swiftly.
Weakness
Sri Lanka’s Achilles’ heel in the T20 World Cup could be their lack of power-hitters, especially in the lower order, who can significantly alter the match’s course with aggressive batting. Their middle-order batting vulnerability was evident in the warm-up matches, posing a considerable challenge for the team.
Player to Watch
Wanindu Hasaranga’s return for the T20 World Cup after missing out on the ODI World Cup and IPL is highly anticipated. With 104 wickets in 63 T20I innings at an impressive average of 15, Hasaranga’s prowess with both bat and ball adds depth to Sri Lanka’s squad, making him a key player to watch out for.
Projected Finish: Second place in Group D
Bangladesh
Strengths
The Bangla Tigers boast a wealth of resources in their bowling attack. With experienced bowlers like Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Tanzid Hasan Shakib, and Shakib Al Hasan, they possess the ability to take crucial wickets and control the run flow, especially in the death overs.
Weakness
Bangladesh struggle to find balance between their bowling and batting departments. Their batting line-up faces challenges against quality bowling attacks, which may hinder their progression to the Super 8 stage.
Player to Watch
Shakib Al Hasan continues to shine at 37, ranked among the top all-rounders across formats. With 12 fifties at a strike rate of 122 and 146 wickets in 122 T20Is, Shakib’s experience and skill make him a formidable presence on the field.
Projected Finish: Third place in the Group
Netherlands
Strengths
The Netherlands possess a strong contingent of all-rounders like Bas de Leede, Saqib Zulfiqar, and Logan van Beek, who contribute significantly with both bat and ball. Their bowling line-up, featuring Aryan Dutt, Paul van Meekeren, van Beek, and de Leede, maintains pressure on opposing batsmen with disciplined bowling.
Weakness
The Netherlands struggle against top-quality spin, particularly in the middle overs, posing a challenge for their batting unit. Improving their performance against the turning ball will be crucial for their success in the tournament.
Player to Watch
de Leede’s contributions with both bat and ball have been instrumental in the Netherlands’ victories. His ability to take wickets and score crucial runs makes him a key player to watch in the tournament.
Projected Finish: Fourth place in the Group
Nepal
Strengths
Nepal possesses a formidable batting line-up capable of posting imposing totals, led by explosive batsmen like Rohit Paudel, Kushal Malla, Kushal Bhurtel, Dipendra Singh Airee, and Aasif Sheikh, who can dominate opposition bowlers.
Weakness
Nepal’s bowling department lacks genuine pacers who can trouble batsmen, potentially undermining their defence of totals. The absence of Sandeep Lamichhane, their spin maestro who was denied a US visa, poses a significant challenge for their bowling unit.
Player to Watch
Airee’s explosive batting prowess was evident when he struck six sixes in an over against Qatar in April. His ability to score quickly and set up big totals makes him a player to watch.
Projected Finish: Fifth place in the Group