Former Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke has identified India as the top contender and biggest threat to Australia in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in the US and the Caribbean. Clarke insisted that India’s extensive match practice and experience make them formidable opponents in the 20-team world tournament.
He further emphasized that the Indian cricket team’s familiarity with conditions similar to those in the US and the Caribbean will help them pose a significant challenge to the Australian cricket team and other participants.
India and Australia have been engaged in intense battles at recent ICC events. They faced each other in the ICC Test Championship and the 2023 ODI World Cup, with Australia emerging victorious on both occasions.
India favorite to win ICC T20 World Cup 2024: Michael Clarke
Despite Australia’s recent success in ICC events against India, Clarke believes that the Indian team’s experience and spin-laden squad make them heavy favorites to win the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Michael Clarke said on ESPN Around the Wicket: “If you look at the favorites for this World Cup, it will be India. Just from the amount of cricket they have played, the preparation is exceptional. The conditions are different in the Caribbean and America than in India, but there are many similarities, so their players will be used to that.”
Clarke further mentioned that India’s strategic reliance on spin could prove to be a masterstroke for the Men in Blue in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, starting June 1. He reiterated that Team India is the biggest threat to the Australian team in the upcoming T20 World Cup. 2024 when it comes to winning the title.
Michael Clarke reveals Australia’s weakness ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup
The former Australian captain also pointed out possible weaknesses of the Mitchell Marsh-led national team, particularly the lack of playing time for some players ahead of the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup compared to India, as their players come from the High intensity. IPL 2024 at the ICC mega event.
He suggested Australia’s limited match practice could pose a challenge for them in the tournament. Clarke signed off by saying: “The other thing is that I think India have taken a risk with the team they have chosen, depending largely on a very different result to Australia. But in the conditions I’ve experienced in the Caribbean, I think spin bowling and the way you play it will be a big part of your success.
So India is the biggest threat for me as to who will win this World Cup. If we look for a weakness, compare it with a team like India, where they come from in the IPL. “I think one thing is the lack of cricket which could be one of our weaknesses.”
Notably, Australia is placed in Group B alongside arch-rivals England, Namibia, Scotland and Oman. They will begin their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign against Oman on June 6.
On the other hand, India are placed alongside arch-rivals Pakistan, Ireland, the United States and Canada in Group A, and will open their campaign against the Irish team on June 5 in New York.