Photo [Wikimedia Commons]

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup: An Early Preview

By Viren Beruwalage 4 years ago

Read Viren’s preview of this year’s upcoming Men’s T20 World Cup.

For cricket fanatics like myself, the countdown has well and truly begun to October this year when the T20 World Cup gets underway Down Under. It has been four years since the Carlos Brathwaite inspired West Indies clinched their second T20 World Cup title in a tense final at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

So now the attention turns to who will hold the trophy aloft on the 15th of November at the MCG? With 240 players, 16 teams and 1 dream, let the extravaganza begin…

Players to Watch

 Virat Kohli: Perhaps the Don Bradman of this current generation. Kohli is a master of chases who seems to regain his form every time he steps out for India. He has a knack of scoring runs Down Under and seems to thrive on the big stage.

Photo [Wikimedia Commons]
Rashid Khan: This Afghani spinner has taken the cricketing world by storm over the past three years. His guile and variations make him one of the toughest bowlers to face. Being the top ranked ODI bowler a few months ago, Afghanistan’s expectations will rest firmly on his shoulders. Bowling in tandem with his spin twin, Mujeeb-Ur-Rahman, rest assured that he will be amongst the leading wicket-takers come the end of the tournament.

Jasprit Bumrah: Prior to his meteoric rise over the previous three years, India had struggled finding a death bowler who could consistently deliver toe-crushing yorkers to wrap up the innings. His uncanny ability to bowl yorkers at ease whilst also being a potent threat with the new ball will make him the trump-card for Kohli and his troops.

Steven Smith: He has been on an unprecedented roller coaster over the past two years. The peaks and troughs of life and the game of cricket have not been as clear to anyone else. From the depths of what I call “sandpapergate” at Newlands nearly two years ago and then a suspension spanning over a year, to singlehandedly stunning the English during the Ashes this past summer: It’s safe to say that Smith has seen it all. Following silencing his critics during the Ashes, its time that we admire his artistry with the willow. He will be determined to score heavily to hand Australia its elusive World T20 title.

Photo [Wikimedia Commons]
AB De Villiers: Will he be back? Will South Africa encourage him to come out of retirement? His countrymen aren’t having the best of times on the field and his return could just give them the revival they’ve been craving. One of the cleanest ball strikers around, the World T20 extravaganza would be a dozen times better with the return of the one and only ABD.

The Dark-Horse Team

Afghanistan: A side with a great blend of youth and experience. They have punched above their weight in international cricket over the past three years and pose a threat to each and every side they face. With mystery spinners in the form of Mujeeb Ur-Rahman and Rashid Khan, aggressive openers in Zazai and Shahzad and an experienced all-rounder in the form of Nabi, Afghanistan have the ingredients for a memorable campaign.

Photo [Flickr]
The Favourites

Australia: Boosted by the return of Steven Smith and David Warner last year, the dark days of Australian Cricket following the ball tampering incident in South Africa seem to be behind them. They have been clinical as of late, winning the Ashes in England and white washing the likes of New Zealand and Pakistan at home. Moreover, they trounced Sri Lanka in three T20s. It’s safe to say that Australia haven’t looked as dangerous going into a World T20 before. For a country that has 5 ICC Cricket World Cups under its belt, they are not one to bet against winning their first World T20 with the added aid of home nation advantage.

Photo [Wikimedia Commons]
India: A side that personifies consistency. Virat Kohli and his side look well poised to go all the way this year. With arguably the most destructive batsman and death bowler in the game, in the form of Kohli and Bumrah respectively, one billion hearts will beat in unison and with great expectations as India seek world honours.

Photo [Wikimedia Commons]
England: The reigning ICC World Cup Champions. Eoin Morgan and his men will be hoping to carry the momentum from last summer as they head Down Under. They are likely for a replica of last summer’s performance from the likes of Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer and Jason Roy.

Photo [Flickr]

My Semi-finalsts Predictions

Australia

England

India

Sri Lanka: Another left field, albeit biased, pick.  This may seem a tad ambitious seeing that Sri Lanka will have to start their campaign in the qualifiers. However, following a comprehensive drubbing of the West Indies at home and with Mickey Arthur, Grant Flower and others slowly instilling much needed discipline and a vision in the side, Malinga and company are not to be taken lightly. This could be the swansong of Malinga’s career and with the backing of the Sri Lanka-Aussie faithful, which makes a match at the MCG seem like a home game at the R.Premadasa, many would hope to see the best of Lasith. The patriot in me dares to believe…

Photo [Wikimedia Commons]
Whatever the outcome, the T20 extravaganza beckons. Who will clinch the title? Enjoy the cricketing action…

Comments

comments

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

214 thoughts on “The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup: An Early Preview”

  25. Pingback: 3zoological
  32. Pingback: Leandro Farland
  37. Pingback: Chirurgiens esthétique Tunisie
  38. Pingback: Chirurgie esthétique Tunisie
  39. Pingback: National Chi Nan University
  40. Pingback: Exceptional facilities
  41. Pingback: تنسيق الجامعات الخاصة
  42. Pingback: how can pharmacy students at future university manage COVID-Crisis
  43. Pingback: FUE
  44. Pingback: Large Lecture Halls
  45. Pingback: Pharmacy's Diploma
  46. Pingback: mp3juices
  47. Pingback: Experienced professional instructors
  48. Pingback: Bachelor's Degree
  49. Pingback: جامعة المستقبل
  50. Pingback: education system
  51. Pingback: Attendance Policy
  52. Pingback: digital media thecnology department
  53. Pingback: future unversity in egypt news
  54. Pingback: digital world
  55. Pingback: top university in egypt
  56. Pingback: Organizing "Egypt in a Changing World" Conference
  57. Pingback: free treatment
  58. Pingback: Admission requirements for future university
  59. Pingback: Transfer students admissions to future university
  60. Pingback: Business education in Egypt
  61. Pingback: Attendance Regulations faculty of pharmacy
  62. Pingback: ما هو افضل تخصص في ادارة الاعمال
  64. Pingback: اقتصاد
  65. Pingback: Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology
  66. Pingback: قسم طب الأسنان التحفظي
  67. Pingback: the strategy of the College of Engineering in all areas of academic work
  68. Pingback: computer science community
  69. Pingback: Computer Science Programs in Egypt
  70. Pingback: future University application process
  79. Pingback: Maillot de football
  81. Pingback: Maillot de football
  83. Pingback: Maillot de football
  85. Pingback: Maillot de football
  86. Pingback: Maillot de football
  110. Pingback: SEOSolutionVIP Fiverr
  132. Pingback: metanail serum pro
  136. Pingback: Fiverr Earn
  138. Pingback: fiverrearn.com
  142. Pingback: fiverrearn.com
  143. Pingback: freight class calculator
  144. Pingback: endopump mediprime
  146. Pingback: frenchies for sale houston
  149. Pingback: puppies french bulldog
  151. Pingback: french bulldog puppies san diego
  152. Pingback: frenchton
  155. Pingback: London Piano Movers
  156. Pingback: Piano Removals London
  157. Pingback: Top university in Egypt
  158. Pingback: Best university in Egypt
  160. Pingback: Best university in Egypt
  161. Pingback: Private universities in Egypt
  163. Pingback: french bulldog adoption
  165. Pingback: can frenchies eat potatoes
  173. Pingback: best deals
  174. Pingback: future university
  178. Pingback: french bulldog for sale houston
  181. Pingback: multisbo link alternatif
  182. Pingback: golf cart rentals isla mujeres mexico
  190. Pingback: french bulldogs
  192. Pingback: future university
  201. Pingback: Moving assistance
  202. Pingback: Secure storage
  204. Pingback: Business leadership training in Egypt
  209. Pingback: Classic Books 500

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

THE STAND