With the 2021 Men’s T20 World Cup finally upon us, here are my bold (or sometimes not so bold) predictions for the tournament. Feel free to add yours in the comments below.
1. India to beat England in the final
With all of their players having been involved in the IPL and know-how in T20 and sub-continental conditions, I feel India have the consistency needed to win a World Cup. England will provide plenty of fireworks and are my picks for runners-up, while Pakistan, West Indies, Australia and Bangladesh will be most likely to find a semi-final spot. Despite not lifting the T20 World Cup trophy since 2007, I’m backing India to be on the winners podium at the conclusion of the tournament.
2. Bangladesh to make the top 6 overall
Bangladesh may be competing in the First Round of the tournament, however I feel that they will advance in first position and join Group 2, which contains India, Pakistan, New Zealand, Afghanistan, and the runner-up from First Round Group A (Sri Lanka, Ireland, Netherlands or Namibia).
Although the New Zealand team they recently defeated will be stronger this time, I feel they have potential to outspin them, outdo Afghanistan thanks to having more match fitness in recent months, and beat the Group A runner up. An upset win over India or more likely Pakistan would have Bangladeshi fans dreaming of a run at the semi-finals, which I think is possible considering their match fitness and their ability to get some likely wins under their belt before joining the Super 12s.
3. Scotland to break their World Cup hoodoo and qualify for the Super 12s
Scotland have been appearing in ODI and T20 World Cups since 1999, and while they have improved markedly over the years, they have still only won one match in these tournaments. Still spurred on by the circumstances in which they missed out on the 2019 ODI World Cup, I am confident they will beat Oman and PNG, and run Bangladesh close, allowing them to qualify with good enough run-rate to ensure them a top two place in Group B.
4. Virat Kohli to hit a hundred
The Indian captain may not have passed three figures since November 2019, but his record in T20 World Cup’s is outrageous, and will give Indian fans renewed confidence in their much-loved skipper.
Kohli averages over 86 in the T20 World Cup, scoring 777 runs in his 16 innings. This includes nine 50-plus scores, and I believe, if he has enough time to bat, he will anchor them with a triple figure (or high and match-winning score) at some point in the tournament.
5. One massive Chris Gayle innings
The Universe Boss has indicated he wishes to play in the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia, and I feel that since breaking his half-century drought with a match-winning knock against Australia recently, that he will strike at least one whirlwind 50 plus score in this tournament to give middle order hitters like Nicholas Pooran and Shimron Hetmyer a platform to win them some matches.
6. Kagiso Rabada to take a five wicket haul
Kagiso Rabada had nowhere near the IPL he had in 2019 and 2020 this year, taking 15 wickets in comparison to his 55 across the last two seasons, but I have a good feeling about Rabada in this tournament. This is based more on a hunch than statistics, but I feel that if South Africa are to provide serious opposition and vie for a top four finish, they will need the very best out of their best fast bowler, so I’m backing a form reversal and at least one match-winning haul in the early stages of this tournament, and should this happen, who knows how he might fare for the rest of the World Cup.
7. First Round kits to outstyle the rest of the tournament
Just look at this post from @twentytwoyards.
Enough said.
8. Mitch Marsh to find his place at Number 3
Mitch Marsh has been a polarising figure in all formats for Australia for many years now, but his recent form at Number 3 suggests he has found a role that suits him. His form in the West Indies suggests he should be granted the role, fighting off strong competition in Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis and Steve Smith. This recent surge in his batting form has seen his bowling improve as well, so Australia will be hoping for big returns from Marsh should they grant him such an important role in the team.
9. A win for either PNG or Namibia
PNG have never competed in a major ICC tournament and Namibia haven’t since 2003, however I feel that one of them, more likely the latter, will record a victory in this World Cup. I don’t think either will qualify, but they are going to provide tough opposition in the fight to join the Super 12s. For PNG, their best chance is in their first match against Oman, while I feel the Namibians can upset any of their more highly ranked opponents, with their
10. Nepal and Zimbabwe to qualify for the next T20 World Cup
OK, so this isn’t specifically about this World Cup, however I think Zimbabwe and Nepal will make it into the next 16-team World Cup, meaning there will be no room for at least two of the teams in this tournament. PNG, Oman and Namibia will be the teams with the most to prove, however the guarantee of qualification for next year once making the Super 12s will be giving all of the teams a reminder of the importance of each match in the early stages of this World Cup.
Russ Haylock Sportswriting 