The T20 World Cup 2024 is fast approaching, and cricket pundits are busy predicting the likely title winners. The highly anticipated tournament is set to begin on May 5 in the United States and the West Indies. As excitement builds, several experts have shared their picks for the two teams they believe will battle for the coveted trophy on June 29 at Kensington Oval in Barbados.
In a video shared by the World Cup’s official broadcaster, Star Sports, former West Indies captain Brian Lara expressed his hope to see the hosts, the West Indies, face India in the final. “It will be amazing if the West Indies, who are hosting the World Cup, face India in the finals,” Lara said on Star Sports.
Former England captain Paul Collingwood has predicted a final showdown between the Three Lions and the West Indies. However, many former cricketers are leaning towards a clash between India and Australia. Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar, former India pacer S Sreesanth, and former Australia opener Matthew Hayden all expressed their desire to see these two giants compete in the final on June 29.
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“My top teams would be India and Australia,” Sunil Gavaskar told Star Sports. “Top two for me, India and Australia,” echoed Matthew Hayden. “The final will be India vs Australia, which would be [India’s] revenge for the ODI World Cup in the upcoming tournament,” added Sreesanth.
Meanwhile, former South African fast bowler Chris Morris has a different vision for the final. “I think it will be India vs South Africa in the T20 World Cup final. India are the big tournament team, and they do well in World Cups,” said Chris Morris.
After two months of intense cricket under the night lights, the Indian cricket team, minus Virat Kohli, began preparations for the T20 World Cup with a morning training session. This adjustment is crucial, considering all their preliminary games will start at 10:30 am.
Having played 90 percent of their matches under lights during the scorching Indian summer, the team must adapt to the more pleasant morning conditions in the West. With temperatures expected to hover between 25 to 27 degrees Celsius and very little humidity, adjusting to these conditions will be key.
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The white kookaburra ball in slightly windy mornings could pose a challenge. To prepare for this, the support staff have planned acclimatization sessions before starting the skills training (net sessions) on the practice pitches at Nassau County ground on the outskirts of New York City.
This approach is intended to help the jet-lagged players adjust to the morning conditions and perform at their best in the tournament. The upcoming T20 World Cup promises to be a thrilling spectacle, with cricket fans around the world eagerly awaiting to see who will emerge as the ultimate champions.
