India favourites, but Kiwis can surprise

INAWAY, the final we have got in the ICC T20 World Cup is the one most likely.

- Tushar Bhaduri

India have been the most dominant side in the format since they clinched the title in 2024 and were odds-on favourites going into the tournament on home soil. The Indian Premier League has produced a whole generation of players adept in the shortest format of the game, even if that may come at the expense of prowess in longer forms of cricket.

As far as the rest of the world is concerned, one will struggle to find another team with the comparable resources and mindset to consistently succeed in T20 cricket. The Australian cricketing establishment seems a bit confused on how much importance is to be given to this format. It may not be “hit and giggle” cricket any more, as Ricky Ponting once famously called it in the early days of this version, but it’s still very much the third format of the game for them. Key players are not risked for the T20 World Cup if there’s a slight niggle, as was the case with Pat Cummins who prioritised a hectic upcoming period of Test cricket. Steve Smith was not included in the squad despite being in prime form in the Big Bash League, even when injuries to other players provided an opening. When he was eventually included, he wasn’t fielded in the door-die game against Sri Lanka.

England have not thrived in Indian conditions of late, especially in white-ball cricket. They flourished in spin-friendly conditions in Sri Lanka, but India in India is a different kettle of fish and they fell just short, despite a brilliant hundred by Jacob Bethell. The same can be said about the West Indies, while Pakistan and Sri Lanka ceased to be genuine forces in any format along time ago. South Africa did South Africa things in the tournament, dominating all comers — including India - before having their worst game at the most inopportune time.