The buzz around the T20 World Cup 2024 is palpable as teams are busy finalising their squads, with a May 1 deadline set by the ICC. India, under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, enter as a strong contender to lift the trophy. However, former England captain Michael Vaughan throws a curveball with his predictions. He sees England, Australia, South Africa, and the West Indies battling it out in the semi-finals, surprisingly leaving out India. This is despite India's strong showing and their 2013 championship title. Vaughan's picks also include South Africa and the West Indies, who didn't qualify for the semi-finals in the 2022 edition
Michael Vaughan took to X and wrote:,
"My 4 Semi finalists for the T20 WC … England, Australia, South Africa and the West Indies .. #T20WC2024”.
India didn't have a memorable campaign in the previous edition of the T20 World Cup. They succumbed to a 10-wicket defeat at the hands of England in the T20 World Cup 2022's semifinal. Notably, India are yet to win any ICC trophy since Champions Trophy in 2013,
However, India will look to turn their fortune around in T20 World Cup 2024 with their star-studded 15-member squad.
The new-look Team India will start their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign against Ireland on June 5. Notably, Rohit Sharma's brigade are placed in Group A alongside their arch-rivals Pakistan. They'll also face Canada, and co-hosts USA. Post facing Ireland at the newly built Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York, the Men in Blue will take on their arch-rivals Pakistan on June 9.
India’s Fixtures for T20 World Cup 2024-(Group A matches)
| Date | Match | Venue |
| 5 June | India vs Ireland | Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York |
| 9 June | India vs Pakistan | Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York |
| 12 June | USA vs India | Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York |
| 15 June | India vs Canada | Central Broward Park & Broward County Stadium, Lauderhill |
Group B
Meanwhile, defending champions England will be looking to retain their title, but they face stiff competition from their old rivals Australia. Scotland, Namibia, and Oman will also be vying for an upset against the cricketing giants.
Group C
The 2016 champions, West Indies, will be looking to recapture their glory alongside a strong New Zealand team. Afghanistan, Uganda, and Papua New Guinea will be eager to prove their mettle against these established teams.
Group D
South Africa and Sri Lanka, both past World Cup finalists, are the favorites in this group. Bangladesh, Nepal, and the Netherlands will be determined to cause a stir and secure a spot in the next stage of the tournament.
India's T20 World Cup 2024 squad
Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
Reserves: Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed and Avesh Khan
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
England announce 15-member T20 World Cup squad under Jos Buttler's captaincy; Jofra Archer makes much-awaited return
South Africa announce 15-member T20 World Cup squad under Aiden Markram's captaincy; 2 players receive maiden T20I call-up
