Eoin Morgan Picks Favourites For T20 World Cup 2024

Former England captain and world champion Eoin Morgan has weighed in on the upcoming T20 World Cup, asserting that the formidable depth and talent within the Indian squad position them as the frontrunners to claim the coveted trophy next month. Reflecting on India's near miss in the previous edition, where they succumbed to eventual champions England, Rohit Sharma and his compatriots are poised to rectify their past shortcomings and stake their claim as the preeminent force in T20 cricket. In preparation for the impending tournament set to unfold in the West Indies and the USA, India unveiled their 15-man squad last month. While the announcement garnered widespread approval from fans, some voiced apprehensions regarding the exclusion of seasoned performers such as Shubman Gill and Rinku Singh, who found themselves relegated to the role of reserves. Despite the scrutiny, Morgan, a veteran of the sport and a celebrated ODI World Cup-winning captain, lauded the overall caliber of the Indian contingent, endorsing their capabilities to clinch their second T20 World Cup title.

With Morgan's endorsement underscoring the potency of India's lineup, anticipation swells as the Men in Blue gear up to confront their rivals on cricket's grandest stage. Armed with a blend of seasoned stalwarts and emerging talents, India stands poised to embark on a quest for redemption and glory, propelled by a collective resolve to etch their names in the annals of cricketing history.

“The strongest side, even with injuries throughout the tournament, is India, without a doubt. Their strength and depth is absolutely incredible at the moment. And it’s almost probably, we’re talking about who the players that were missed out in their squad of 15 because of the quality that they possess,” former England captain Eoin Morgan said on Sky Sports.

“They are favourites for me. I think that they’re just the quality that they have on paper. If they produce it, I think they can, they can beat anybody quite well in the tournament,” he added.

During the same discussion, former England opener Michael Atherton expressed his puzzlement at India's inability to secure the T20 World Cup title following the advent of the IPL. Atherton remarked on the irony, noting the widespread belief that India's premier cricket extravaganza had bolstered their prowess in the shortest format. His observations underscored a prevailing sentiment within cricketing circles, where the correlation between the IPL and India's performance in T20 internationals has been a topic of keen interest and speculation.

“They haven’t won it since that first World Cup back in 2007. That’s the great irony. That’s how long It’s also an irony because everybody talks about the IPL and how that has improved India’s T20 cricket. The irony is the only time they’ve won it was pre-IPL,” said former England cricketer Michael Atherton