By Rajat Subhra Chatterjee
0070
The 9th edition of T20 Cricket World Cup is set to roll on 1st June, 2024 at a venue in USA.
The tournament will be contested by a record 20 teams, an expansion from 16 teams at the 2022 tournament. Following venues are fixed for Cup matches.
Antigua and Barbuda : 8
Barbados, Bridgetown : 9 ( Final )
Guyana : 6 ( semi-final )
Saint Lucia : 6
Saint Vincent, Kingstown : 5
Trinidad & Tobago 5 ( semi final )
Lauderhill, Florida : 4
East Meadow, NY : 8
Grand Prairie : 4
However, the current IPL being played in India may not be the correct index how cricketers will ultimately perform in the T20 WC because of obvious reasons. Admittedly, minnows in World Cricket ( as expanded from 16 to 20 teams in the coming tournament ) will face onslaught from the big guns and thereby few batters will have field day in those matches surely.
In general, the cricket grounds would not be very big. The ground measurements will normally be around Delhi FSK except a couple in Barbados and Guyana. The US grounds will be smaller in general which will suit big hitters to a tee. When I say big or small, it refers to the boundary area. The diameter usually varies between 450’ to 500’ in international standard.
The wicket conditions again except a couple in West Indies will not be as paced and bouncy as normally seen in IPL which have enabled the batters to go for their shots. It may not be a surprise if competing nations pack their teams with more slow bowlers.
The current IPL has seen flood of runs and big hits galore. The bowlers have helplessly been at the receiving end. T20 World Cup also may witness big hitters to have field day unless the bowlers tighten up their skills and bowl to their strength areas only.
Quite a few exciting players will however be on show in this Cup.
While England will ride on the performance of Phil Salt, Jasson Roy, Jos Buttler, Bairstow, Livingstone, Curran, Woakes, Australia poses an awesome line up with Travis Head, Jake Fraser, Mitchell Marsh, Maxewell, Cameroon Green, Tim David, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Hazzelwood, Jhampa . Looks ominous.
West Indies, once the crowned prince of world cricket is now a shadow of their former self and playing this cup only as they are co-hosting the tournament. Yet with Evin Lewis, Charles, Nicolas Pooran, Sai Hope, Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Kyle Mayers, Romario Sheppherd, Jason Holder, Alzarri Josheph they still can alter many equations. Andre Russell & Narine ( if they play ) will be added strength.
Kane Williamson, Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Glen Philips, Darryl Mitchel, Mat Henry, Ferguson, Nisham, Trent Boult, Southee make the Kiwis yet another formidable combination who are always expected to fight till the end. Track record in ICC tournament for the Kiwis is very bright.
South Africa may again remain an enigma even with the presence of Markram, Klassen, Tristan Stubbs, Miller, Burger, Rabada, Nortje, Lungi Ngidi. Well, if they pull it off, that will be a gain for world cricket.
I don’t see much in the prospects of Pakistan and India. With Rizwan, Babar Azam, Fakkar Jaman, Shahin Afridi, Naseem Shah, Md. Amer, Pakistan may look tough but they lack the finesse and maturity that is required to top any tournament. Same with India who has only Rishabh Pant, Jadeja & Kuldeep and Bumrah as game changers. But batting will remain very unpredictable for which India may suffer in the tournament. Some amongst Indians will play their last cup matches because of their advanced age.
In contrast, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan may bring in one or two surprises as many of them are seen in good form in the current IPL. While Pathirana is the key bowler for Sri Lanka, Rashid Khan undoubtedly pioneers Afghanistan cause with his all-round ability.
Let the ball rolls. Let the Game of Uncertainty unfolds its chapter yet again. Exciting matches will be on the platter. For the first time, US will host such a tournament which is definitely a huge step forward for cricket.
concluded
