India will start the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup as one of the favourites, which they actually do ahead of every ICC competition.
India were crowned the champions of the inaugural T20 World Cup, which took place in 2007 in South Africa. They beat Pakistan in the final, marking a very important checkpoint in the history of the sport as T20 cricket’s popularity has only soared since that day.
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India haven’t won any T20 World Cup since 2007, while their ICC trophy curse has been going on since they last won the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy.
At the 2009, 2010, 2012, and 2021 editions of the T20 World Cups, India failed to make it to the knockout stages. To win the trophy, the least they have to do is clear the initial hurdles.
They made it to the semi-finals in 2016 and 2022, losing on both occasions, while they were beaten by Sri Lanka in the 2014 T20 World Cup final, the only other time they have reached so far since 2007.
In this piece, The Sporting News takes a look at India’s opponents in the group stage of the 2024 T20 World Cup.
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The 2024 T20 World Cup will feature 20 teams, divided in four groups of five teams each. India have been drawn in Group A alongside Pakistan, Ireland, USA, and Canada.
The Men in Blue will kick off their campaign on June 5 against Ireland at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.
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Ireland have qualified for all editions of the T20 World Cup except the inaugural edition in 2007. Their best finish came at the 2009 T20 World Cup, when they qualified to the Super 8 round after progressing from the group stages.
India and Pakistan have faced each other in all eight editions of the T20 World Cup, with the former winning seven games and Pakistan winning just once, a 10-wicket hammering at the 2021 edition. They have been crowned champions once, in 2009, and finished runners-up in two more.
This marks USA first ever appearance at a T20 World Cup. They qualified automatically as the co-hosts along with West Indies. They are currently ranked 20th in the ICC T20I rankings.
Ranked 22nd in the ICC T20I team rankings, this is the first time Canada have qualified for a T20 World Cup, just like their North American neighbours USA. They won the ICC T20 World Cup Americas qualifiers to make it to the group stages of the 2024 T20 World Cup.
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Parshva is a Content Producer for The Sporting News’ India edition.