The post pandemic Down Under Raffle

Since March 2020, the world has seen a great turn of events leading to a lot of things happening behind doors. Sporting activities were restricted completely behind doors or allowed to be viewed by limited number of spectators. Fast forward to August 2022 and things seems to be getting back to normal. In the middle of political turmoil and ever-changing business landscape, there is something which a lot of cricket lovers must be looking forward to in the coming 2 months. In just over 2 months from now, the T20 World Cup will be commencing in Australia. Yes, this is the same T20 world cup that happened just 10 months ago. So, what’s so exciting about yet another T20 world cup happening down under?

Firstly, after the nerve wracking 2019 World Cup final, a big ICC event is finally going to be played in the post pandemic world. We will be able to see 80000+ folks in MCG cheering their favorite teams. This will also be a world cup where T20 format is getting revolutionized with players and teams adapting themselves with specialists like finisher for last 5overs or a death over bowler. Finally, after the damp squib that last year’s T20 world cup was (not taking away any credit from the champions, Australia), people are looking forward to an exciting cricket tournament at a global stage after the long period of gloom owing to the pandemic. Moreover, things have drastically changed across teams as well. MS Dhoni is not around. Virat Kohli is no more the undisputed leader of the Indian Cricket team. There is no calming presence of Eoin Morgan in the English camp. The universe boss Chris Gayle and DJ Bravo are missing. All this calls for an exciting time down under with something to look forward for the fans in October-November.

Whenever a world cup comes, there is always one big pondering question. Who will lift the cup? If there is anything to go by from last year’s world cup, the 2022 world cup Down Under could be yet another raffle draw. While there are some firm favorites as always, this world cup could again be a flash in the pan for any team that brings out their best over the course of the tournament. Back in 2021, no one gave Australia a shot at winning the world cup owing to their form, unfavorable conditions, and the mauling they received at the hands-on England during the group stage would have totally dismissed them of any chance at winning the world cup. However, a few good and consistent games led them to winning the cup in 2021. There are 3 firm favorites who have a real shot at winning the world cup this year with one outsider who could get the eyes rolling. Let’s look at the top 3 probable winners of the T20 world cup in 2022 Down Under.

Australia

We start with the defending champions, Australia. While they are still not the team in form. However, their strong mentality and home conditions can take them a long way in the tournament once again. With players like Tim David waiting in the wings and a settled line up, Australia has a real shot at defending the T20 crown. The strong pace attack coupled with a star-studded batting line up in Australians bouncy conditions will only act in their favor. Only time will tell whether the defending champions will hit the ground running quickly in the tournament.

England

The Baz-ballers are known for their hard hitting and the way they have revolutionized white ball cricket. They missed out on a spot in the finals last year despite being the dominant team through the tournament. While 2022 form is not on their side having lost T20 series to India and South Africa, they could be in with a big shot as the grounds will suit their batter’s style of aggressive batting. The only 2 things impeding them this time around will be the absence of the ever-cool Eoin Morgan and their express pacers like Mark Wood and Jofra Archer. In case England’s batting comes up the goods, it could be yet another world title for them this year.

India

Despite the early and unceremonious exit in last year’s world cup, India starts as firm favorites for this year’s tournament. They have completely changed the way they play their T20 cricket over the past 10 months. They have adopted specialists for different roles while maintaining the pedigree of their squad in modern day greats like Virat Kohli, Bumrah and Rohit Sharma. The only thing that can pull them back yet again is the inability to cross the finish line in crunch moment in world tournament (something that has been ailing them since 2015 world cup).

One team that has an outside chance is South Africa. After the complete transformation of their squad with the retirement of their greats, they have slowly built their squad as a well-rounded team that shall be able to cross the world cup frontier if luck persists with them. They narrowly lost out on the semifinal spot last year owing to net run rate. If they continue their good form, it shall not be a surprise that South Africa may finally go all the way.

With no clear favorites, it is safe to say that it will be raffle draw Down Under with all eyes on some favorites. This is going to be an exciting phase of 2–3 months leading up to the world cup where all squads will look to finetune themselves to be able to lift the silverware. As an India, I am genuinely hoping for another global trophy in our cabinet after the glory days between 2007–2013.