Following the conclusion of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, attention has now turned towards the shorter format of the game. Expressing optimism, Ravi Shastri, the former head coach of the Indian cricket team, has conveyed his strong belief in the team’s potential to secure a World Cup trophy in the shorter format in the near future.
The next ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in June 2024 is keenly awaited, scheduled to unfold in the vibrant cricketing atmospheres of the West Indies and the USA. A grand total of 20 teams are gearing ready to participate in this highly awaited tournament. Reflecting on the previous World Cup in 2023 contested on home soil, India’s journey was highlighted by dominance throughout most of the tournament.
However, their dreams to clinch the trophy were thwarted in the finals against Australia, marking the second occasion in a period of only 5 to 6 months that India found themselves on the losing side in an ICC final. Despite the defeat, the cricketing giant has yet another opportunity, this time in the T20 format – a prospect acknowledged by former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri. The expectation increases as India looks ahead to making a mark and maybe earning the coveted trophy in the upcoming competition.
Ravi Shastri expressed deep disappointment over the heartbreaking loss to Australia in the finals, emphasizing that the team deserved to win based on their stellar performance throughout the tournament. He acknowledged the challenging nature of securing ICC titles, drawing parallels to the cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar’s experience. Shastri pointed out that even for someone as great as Tendulkar, it took six attempts before clinching a World Cup trophy.
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He said, “I see India winning a World Cup very soon. It might not be a 50-over (one) that easily because you have to rebuild the side, but 20-over cricket, the very next one, India will be very serious challengers because you have got the nucleus; this is a shorter format of the game. Your focus should be on that.”
India is currently engaged in a five-match T20I series against Australia on home turf. In a deliberate move, they’ve elected to rest their veteran players, allowing the next generation to exhibit their skills under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav. The team has convincingly won the first two games against Australia, exhibiting a commendable level of performance. This series is essential as it could serve as a crucial audition for the T20 World Cup in 2024. With few opportunities in this format, developing stars like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rinku Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and others have a significant chance to establish their mettle and gain a berth in the national squad.
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