The battle royale begins today
12 teams in the Super 12 stage will vie for semifinal slots
ENGLAND
The top ranked team have been weakened by the absence of Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer. Unimpressive in warm-up games. The biggest concern is captain Eoin Morgan’s dismal form. Morgan said he would drop himself if it helps the team, but it’s unlikely that the team management would take that step against someone who has transformed England in white-ball cricket. Players to Watch Out For: Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, Adil Rashid, Chris Jordan
X Factor: Jason Roy
INDIA
Concerns about the tepid form of some key players like Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, R Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rahul Chahar in the IPL was mitigated in the two warm-up games, both won handsomely with these players making significant contributions. The problem for team management now is picking the playing XI! High-quality players with rich experience is the team’s strength.
Players To Watch Out For: Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja
X Factor: MS Dhoni as a mentor
PAKISTAN
Marginally behind India at number three in ICC rankings and a dangerous side. Skipper Babar Azam is rated among the best batsmen in the world, Mohammad Rizwan has been a consistently high scorer and Fakhar Zaman can be destructive. All-rounders Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf and pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hasan Ali make a potent bowling attack.
Players To Watch For: Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan
X Factor: Fakhar Zaman
WEST INDIES
Defending champions with an explosive batting line up that reads Evin Lewis, Lendl Simmon, Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell with Dwayne Bravo to follow would put the fear of God in any opposition. When on song, this team is impossible to contain. The bowling’s not as impressive though they have the seasoned Bravo and Russell in the ranks.
Players To Watch Out For: Evin Lewis, Shimron Hetmyer, Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo, Nicholas Pooran
X Factor: Andre Russell
AUSTRALIA
Loaded with talent, the Aussies still appear vulnerable. A title still eludes them, and there will be huge expectations from skipper Aaron Finch. His batting form as well as that of David Warner, going through the horrors, seem to be the biggest issue confronting the side. If the openers don’t click, there will be enormous pressure on Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell and Matthew Wade.
Players To Watch Out For: Aaron Finch, Steve Smith, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa
X Factor: Glenn Maxwell
NEW ZEALAND
Strong team, includes most members who participated in the ODI World Cup in 2019 where the Kiwis performed gloriously and were unlucky to not win the final. Losing both warm-up matches does suggest, though, that the team hasn’t been able to build up much momentum. How veteran opener Martin Guptill and captain Kane Williamson perform is critical in getting competitive scores.
Players To Watch Out For: Kane Williamson, Martin Guptill, Trent Boult, Ish Sodhi
X Factor: Tim Seifert
AFGHANISTAN
Having done superbly to be in the main draw (top 8), there was turmoil and upheaval with the Taliban’s takeover of the country, leading to doubts about their participation in the World Cup. Once participation was confirmed, changes in captaincy happened.
Players To Watch Out For: Mohammad Nabi, Asghar Afghan, Mohammad Shahzad, Mujeeb-ur-rahman
X Factor: Rashid Khan
SOUTH AFRICA
Without AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis, the squad may lack the heft of yore, but there are several players under Temba Bavuma who could ally with seasoned hands like David Miller, Kagiso Rabada, Quinton de Kock and surprise more fancied team. Players To Watch Out For: Quinton de Kock, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Temba Bavuma
X Factor: Keshav Maharaj
BANGLADESH
Forced to qualify for the Super 12, Bangladesh began badly with a defeat in the opener against Scotland. But the Tigers recovered splendidly to ensure they weren’t ousted from the tournament prematurely.
Players To Watch Out For: Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mustafizur Rahman
X Factor: Mehidy Hasan
SRI LANKA
Smarting after being forced to qualify, the Sri Lankans got into the Super 12 after two emphatic victories, beating Namibia by seven wickets and following this up with a 70-run victory over the much tougher opponents, Ireland.
Players To Watch Out For: Dasun Shanaka, Dinesh Chandimal
X Factor: Wanindu Hasaranga
SCOTLAND
With three victories on the trot, one of which came against Sri Lanka, Scotland have reached the Super 12 in style. In many ways, this alleviates the bitter disappointment of narrowly missing out on the 2019 ODI World Cup.
Players To Watch Out For: Kyle Coetzer, Richie Berrington, George Munsey, Brad Wheal
X Factor: Chris Greaves
NAMIBIA
Their entry into the Super 12 of this World Cup is a landmark achievement. Not fancied to make the cut, Namibia did it in style in the last Round 1 match against Ireland.
Players To Watch Out For: Gerhard Erasmus, Jan Frylinck, Craig Williams
X Factor: David Wiese