The Indian men’s cricket team is gearing up for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 with hopes of ending a 17-year-long trophy drought. Their last triumph in the T20 World Cup dates back to the inaugural edition in 2007, led by MS Dhoni. Since then, despite their consistent performances, they have failed to clinch the title.
In the previous T20 World Cup editions, India reached the final in 2014 but lost to Sri Lanka. In 2022, they were knocked out in the semi-finals by eventual champions England.
Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma and vice-captain Hardik Pandya, the Indian team, currently topping the T20I world rankings, is eyeing victory in the upcoming tournament. Key players like Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav are also part of the squad.
India has been placed in Group A alongside hosts USA, Canada, Ireland, and arch-rivals Pakistan. Their campaign kicks off against Ireland on June 5 in New York, followed by a much-anticipated clash against Pakistan on June 9. The subsequent matches against USA and Canada will also be crucial for their progression.
With 20 teams competing, four more than the previous edition, the tournament promises intense competition. After the group stage, the top two teams from each group will advance to the Super 8 stage, where the knockout rounds begin on June 20. The semi-finals are scheduled for June 26 and 27, with the final set to take place at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, on June 29.
India’s convincing victory over Bangladesh in their warm-up match has set a positive tone for their campaign, instilling confidence in the team as they aim for glory in the T20 World Cup 2024.