T20 World Cup 2024: "Anything can happen" - Suresh Raina's stern warning to Team India on unfamiliar conditions

As the Indian cricket team gears up for the highly anticipated ICC T20 World Cup 2024, former Indian batter Suresh Raina has issued a stern warning to Rohit Sharma and his brigade. Raina urged the Indian team not to underestimate any opponent in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024.

Team India will kickstart their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign against Ireland on June 5 at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. Before their tournament opener, the Rohit Sharma-led Indian team will play a warm-up clash against Bangladesh on June 1 at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.

New York will be India's home at ICC T20 World Cup 2024

Notably, New York’s Nassau County International Cricket Stadium will be a home for India, as they will play three of their four league games at the venue in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, starting on June 1. The Men in Blue will play their only group game against Canada at Central Broward Park and Broward County Stadium in Florida.

Well, Team India already arrived in the USA on May 26, and they are gearing up for the 20-team tournament, with Virat Kohli expected to join the team on May 31, having already departed from Mumbai on May 30. Ahead of India’s only T20 World Cup 2024 warm-up match against Bangladesh, Raina sent a warning to Rohit’s army.

Raina, the 2011 World Cup winner, and five-time IPL champion, hailed the Indian cricket team for its formidable lineup, comprising exceptional batters, bowlers, and all-rounders, for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. However, the cricket expert emphasized the importance of not taking any team lightly, particularly considering the unique challenge of playing in unfamiliar conditions in the USA.

Other teams cannot be taken lightly: Suresh Raina warns Team India

India is slotted alongside Pakistan, Ireland, Canada, and the USA in Group A, and apart from the Men in Green, India can easily beat other minnows in the showpiece event. However, Raina said that the pitches and conditions in the USA are new to the Men in Blue, so other teams cannot be overlooked.

With the T20 World Cup 2024 being held in the USA for the first time, Raina pointed out that there is nothing to be predictable and anything can happen, so India must be careful about their approach, as they will have to finish in the top 2 in their group to qualify for the Super 8 stage of the ICC event.

Suresh Raina was quoted as saying by Sports Tak: “Rohit is the captain and the batters, bowlers, and all-rounders in the team are amazing. Whereas if we look at the group stage, the big competition is between India and Pakistan. But other teams cannot be taken lightly either. We have never played in America so anything can happen. But the confidence of Team India has increased a lot.”