ICC T20 World Cup 2024: Match Timings, Venues, and Everything You Need to Know

The ICC T20 World Cup 2024, the ninth edition of the biennial Twenty20 International cricket tournament organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC), is set to take place from June 1-29, 2024. For the first time, the prestigious event will be co-hosted by the West Indies and the United States, with matches spanning across 55 games featuring 20 participating teams.

The ICC T20 World Cup 2024 will witness a record 20 teams vying for the coveted title, an expansion from the previous edition’s 16-team roster. The top 8 teams from the 2022 tournament, along with the two host nations, have automatically qualified, while the remaining 10 teams secured their spots through regional qualifiers, including debutants Canada and Uganda, as well as the co-host United States.

Venue and Schedule

The ICC T20 World Cup 2024 will be co-hosted by the West Indies and the United States. The tournament will feature a record 20 teams, up from 16 in the previous edition.

Venues

The matches will be played across multiple venues in the West Indies and the United States.

West Indies

The venues in the West Indies will be:

• Antigua
• Barbados
• Guyana
• Saint Lucia
• Saint Vincent
• Trinidad & Tobago

United States

The venues in the United States will be:

• Lauderhill (Florida)
• Grand Prairie (Texas)
• East Meadow (New York) – A new temporary stadium

Key Matches

1. The highly anticipated India vs Pakistan match will be played on June 9 in a 34,000-seat modular stadium in Nassau County, New York.
2. Co-hosts USA will play Canada in the opening match on June 1 in Dallas, Texas.

Final Venue

The final of The ICC T20 World Cup 2024 will be played at the Kensington Oval in Barbados.

Participating Teams

The ICC T20 World Cup 2024 will feature a record 20 participating teams, including the top 8 teams from the 2022 tournament and the two host nations, who qualified automatically. The remaining 10 teams secured their spots through regional qualifiers, marking the debut appearances of Canada and Uganda, as well as the United States, which is participating as a co-host.

Qualified Teams

The 20 qualified teams for The ICC T20 World Cup 2024 are:

1. Afghanistan
2. Australia
3. Bangladesh
4. Canada
5. England
6. India
7. Ireland
8. Namibia
9. Nepal
10. Netherlands
11. New Zealand
12. Oman
13. Pakistan
14. Papua New Guinea
15. Scotland
16. South Africa
17. Sri Lanka
18. Uganda
19. United States of America
20. West Indies

Team Distribution

The 20 teams have been divided into four groups of five teams each for the initial round-robin stage:

The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super Eight phase of the tournament.

Tournament Format

The ICC T20 World Cup 2024 will feature a record 20 participating teams, an expansion from the 16 teams in the previous edition. The tournament will follow a multi-stage format, consisting of the following stages:

Group Stage

1. The 20 teams will be divided into 4 groups of 5 teams each.
2. Each team will play against the other teams in their group in a round-robin format.
3. The top 2 teams from each group will advance to the Super 8 stage.

Super 8 Stage

1. The 8 teams that qualify from the group stage will be divided into 2 groups of 4 teams each.
2. Each team will play against the other teams in their group in a round-robin format.
3. The top 2 teams from each Super 8 group will advance to the semi-finals.

Knockout Stage

The knockout stage will consist of the following matches:

The winners of the two semi-finals will progress to the final, where the champion of the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup will be determined.

Favorites and Dark Horses

Favorites

Australia is considered a strong favorite to win the tournament, as they are seen as invincible in ICC tournament knockouts. Their world-class fast-bowling attack led by Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins makes them a formidable side, although they may be vulnerable against skilled spin bowling.

India is seen as a key favorite, with players like Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Ravichandran Ashwin. Their fielding consistency could be a strength, but their spin department may be a weakness. However, some members are skeptical about their chances due to an aging core and the inclusion of ‘washed up’ T20 players.

The West Indies are also seen as a favorite, with the home team advantage as most matches will be played in the Caribbean. They have a strong T20 lineup with many all-rounders. However, their current team is not as strong as the 2016 champion side.

England won the previous T20 World Cup in 2022, and they have immense batting firepower, especially with players like Jos Buttler and Dawid Malan. Jofra Archer’s pace and variation could boost their attack, but they can be inconsistent. However, their chances are lower this time due to the Caribbean conditions.

Dark Horses

New Zealand is always considered a dark horse team, though they have never won a T20 World Cup before. Their strengths lie in their tactical adaptability, game plans, and the steadying influence of Kane Williamson. Trent Boult’s swing bowling and Devon Conway’s batting are key assets.

Afghanistan is a potential dark horse, possessing many dangerous T20 specialists like Hazratullah Zazai, Rashid Khan, and Mujeeb ur Rahman.

Sri Lanka is seen as a dark horse, as they showed signs of resurgence in recent tournaments like the 2022 Asia Cup win. They have young talented players like Wanindu Hasaranga.

South Africa has a chance to go far in the tournament, with players like Quinton de Kock, Rilee Rossouw, and Kagiso Rabada in form. They have a fearsome pace attack led by Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje. Aiden Markram provides stability and spin options, but they may lack a top-tier all-rounder.

Namibia may lack depth of experience, but their fearless approach and ability to adapt to different conditions make them dangerous opponents.

Uganda, as a rising star in African cricket, could make waves in their maiden World Cup appearance. Their youthful energy, raw talent, and hunger to succeed could lead to surprises.

The USA and Canada playing on home soil could provide the boost they need to make their mark. They have improved in recent years and have the potential for individual brilliance.

Player Watchlist

Indian Players

Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan has released a list of 15 players he would pick for India’s ICC T20 World Cup 2024 squad, including Rohit Sharma as captain, Virat Kohli, Shivam Dube, and Rishabh Pant. Pathan has also included Hardik Pandya, provided he bowls regularly, and has kept Shubman Gill, Sanju Samson, and Yuzvendra Chahal as backups.

Prominent players who did not find a place in Irfan Pathan’s list include KL Rahul, Ravichandran Ashwin, Shreyas Iyer, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Dinesh Karthik, and Tilak Varma. Pathan and several former Indian players have urged the BCCI to select Shivam Dube over Hardik Pandya, considering Dube’s stellar performance in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL).

The BCCI selection committee is set to meet Indian skipper Rohit Sharma after the DC vs MI IPL 2024 match on April 27, and the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup is likely to be announced soon after.

Probable Indian Squad

Some of the probable players who may be included in the Indian squad are Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Rinku Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Kuldeep Yadav, Mayank Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah and Sanju Samson

Former England cricketer Stuart Broad has suggested that Mayank Yadav does not need to go through the domestic grind and can be fast-tracked into the Indian team. Former Indian cricketer Venkatesh Prasad has advocated for the inclusion of Shivam Dube, Suryakumar Yadav, and Rinku Singh in the T20 World Cup squad.

The expected Indian squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 includes Rohit Sharma (Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, and Arshdeep Singh.

Key players in contention include Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ishan Kishan, and KL Rahul. Emerging talents like Shubman Gill and Rahul Chahar are also being considered for the squad.

Conclusion

The ICC T20 World Cup 2024 promises to be an electrifying spectacle, with a record 20 teams vying for the coveted trophy. The tournament’s co-hosting by the West Indies and the United States adds an extra layer of excitement, offering a unique opportunity to witness top-tier cricket talent across diverse venues. With a blend of favorites and dark horses, the stage is set for thrilling encounters, unexpected upsets, and the crowning of a new champion in the world of T20 cricket.

As the countdown begins, fans eagerly await the unveiling of the final team squads, particularly the Indian lineup, which is garnering significant attention and speculation. Regardless of the composition, the tournament is poised to deliver unforgettable moments, fierce rivalries, and a celebration of the sport’s ever-growing global reach. Buckle up for an exhilarating ride as the world’s best T20 cricketers battle it out for the ultimate glory.

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