The ninth edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is set to take place from June 1 to June 29, with the champions being crowned at the Kensington Oval Stadium in Bridgetown, Barbados. England will be looking to defend their crown and win the title for a record third time, but they will face stiff competition from 19 other teams vying for the trophy. Some teams have won the tournament in the past, while others will aim to make their mark for the first time.
India, the champions in 2007, are considered one of the favourites to lift the trophy. Led by captain Rohit Sharma and predecessor Virat Kohli, India boasts a talented lineup that includes explosive batters like Suryakumar Yadav and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Jasprit Bumrah will lead the seam attack, while spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav are expected to play a crucial role on the dry Caribbean surfaces. India, currently the top-ranked T20 side in the world, won their only previous T20 World Cup in 2007.
England, champions in 2010 and 2022, will rely on the return of fast bowler Jofra Archer and a strong spin bowling attack featuring Adil Rashid, Moeen Ali, and Liam Livingstone. The batting lineup includes big hitters like Harry Brook, Will Jacks, Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, and Jonny Bairstow. As the third-ranked T20 side in the world, England will look to defend their title and retain the trophy.
Australia, champions in 2021, will aim to continue their success in world titles following victories in the 50-over ICC Cricket World Cup and the World Test Championship in 2023. Led by Mitchell Marsh, the Australian squad includes experienced players and previous World Cup winners. David Warner will play his last tournament, and Australia are currently ranked second in the ICC T20 team rankings.
West Indies, champions in 2012 and 2016, are hoping that co-hosting the tournament will help them secure a third title. The West Indies will rely on their trio of spinners, Roston Chase, Gudakesh Motie, and Nicholas Pooran, to make an impact. Key player Andre Russell comes into the tournament on the back of a successful run in the Indian Premier League, and the team will look to exceed their sixth-placed ranking and reach the summit in Barbados.
Pakistan, champions in 2009, are led by Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi and possess the talent to compete with any team. Despite being ranked seventh in the ICC T20 team rankings, Pakistan cannot be ruled out as potential winners. The depth of Pakistan’s talent will be tested, with players like Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, and Mohammad Amir expected to play crucial roles in the tournament. The spin department will be key for Pakistan, with Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Abrar Ahmed looking to shine on the world stage. While they may not be the outright favourites, Pakistan is a team that should not be underestimated.
