(Source Ananda Bazar)
Former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh, serving as the Brand Ambassador for the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024, shared his insights on the tournament’s potential finalists. He suggested that three teams stand out with a strong likelihood of reaching the final, adding a playful comment about his aversion towards Australia.
This year’s T20 World Cup, hosted jointly by the United States of America and the Caribbean, features a lineup of 20 competitive teams vying for the championship title. Commencing on June 2nd, the tournament spans the entirety of June.
Predicting favorites amidst such a diverse field of competitors is no easy task, yet the path to the Super 8 stage appears smoother for certain prominent teams. India and Pakistan seem poised for advancement from their group, pitted against Ireland, the USA, and Canada.
Similarly, in Group B, England and Australia emerge as frontrunners, accompanied by Namibia, Oman, and Scotland. Group C sees the likes of West Indies, New Zealand, and Afghanistan, while Group D boasts the favorites South Africa and Sri Lanka, facing off against Bangladesh, the Netherlands, and Nepal.
Progressing from the group stage, the top two teams from each group will advance to the Super 8 stage, set to feature a round-robin format. The top four teams from this stage will secure their spots in the semi-finals, leading to an exhilarating climax with the final match.
Yuvraj Singh’s forecast highlights India, West Indies, and Pakistan as strong contenders for the final showdown. His tongue-in-cheek remark about Australia, expressed during an interview with PTI at the inauguration of the Fan Park at the Oculus Trade Centre in New York, adds a touch of humor to his predictions.
“I’m hoping India, probably West Indies. Pakistan 3, and no Australians (laughs).”
“Leading run-getter seems like Virat Kohli”- Yuvraj Singh
Yuvraj Singh also expressed anticipation regarding a specific player whom he eagerly awaits to watch perform in the tournament. He mentioned his interest in observing Rishabh Pant’s comeback from injury, highlighting the significance of Pant’s return to the cricketing arena.
Furthermore, Singh confidently asserted his belief that Virat Kohli will emerge as the top run-scorer throughout the course of the tournament. This assertion underscores Singh’s admiration and confidence in Kohli’s batting prowess, suggesting that Kohli will lead the charts in accumulating runs during the T20 World Cup 2024.
“I would say, Rishabh Pant. I am looking forward to the return of Rishabh, he is coming back from a massive injury. And the leading run-getter seems like Virat Kohli, he’s had a very good IPL.”
India secured a convincing victory in their warm-up match against Bangladesh, showcasing impressive performances both with the bat and the ball. Their performance seemed nearly flawless, addressing various aspects crucial for success in the main tournament. Led by Rohit Sharma, the team is poised to commence their campaign against Ireland on June 5th.
With aspirations set high, India aims to clinch the tournament title, thus ending their drought since their last ICC title triumph in 2013. The team’s hunger for victory is palpable, fueling their determination to excel and bring home the coveted trophy once again.
