T20 World Cup 2024: India picked by everyone as Sunil Gavaskar, Ambati Rayudu and other experts name T20 WC semi-finalists

The highly anticipated T20 World Cup 2024 approaches, with cricket legends and experts predicting the semifinalists of the upcoming ICC tournament in the West Indies and the USA. The former international cricketers predicted the Indian team, led by Rohit Sharma, would reach the semifinals of the World Cup.

The Men in Blue last won the T20 World Cup during the inaugural edition in 2007 under the leadership of legendary skipper MS Dhoni. The Indian team secured a memorable win by five runs in Johannesburg against arch-rival Pakistan. This triumph remains the Indian team's only title in the T20 World Cup so far.

Since then, India has struggled to secure another trophy in the T20 World Cup. The Men in Blue reached the final only once in the next seven editions, losing to Sri Lanka in 2014. They suffered semifinal exits in 2016 and 2022 and a group-stage exit in 2021. They last suffered a 10-wicket loss to England in Adelaide.

Former International Cricketer Predict T20 World Cup Semi-Finalists

In a video posted by Star Sports on X (formerly Twitter), cricket experts revealed their top four predictions for the T20 World Cup. Mohammad Kaif and S Sreesanth named Pakistan as dark horses. Sunil Gavaskar added co-hosts West Indies to his list for the upcoming tournament's knockout stage.

Ambati Rayudu: India, England, New Zealand, South Africa.

Brian Lara: India, England, West Indies, Afghanistan.

Paul Collingwood: England, West Indies, Australia, India.

Sunil Gavaskar: India, Australia, England, West Indies.

Chris Morris: India, South Africa, Pakistan, Australia.

Matthew Hayden: Australia, India, England, South Africa.

Aaron Finch: India, Australia, England, West Indies.

Mohammad Kaif: India, Pakistan, Australia, England.

Tom Moody: Australia, India, South Africa, England.

S Sreesanth: India, Pakistan, Australia, England.

#TeamIndia have made it to everyone's Top 4! 🤌🏻💙

From World Cup winners to those who have aced the game, our experts @SunilGavaskar, @AaronFinch5 , #PaulCollingwood, @haydostweets, @RayuduAmbati , and more have picked their TOP 4 for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024!

Which… pic.twitter.com/oaxLkltB1T

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) May 28, 2024

It Would Be This Year - Chris Morris On South Africa Winning T20 World Cup

Former South African all-rounder Chris Morris highlighted India's strong form in the IPL as a reason for their inclusion in the top four. Morris also emphasized that this might be South Africa's year to win. He didn't rule out Pakistan and predicted Australia's presence in the top four.

"India would have to be there just because of their form coming in from a big tournament like the IPL. Their players are in good form. So India will be there. I think South Africa. I've got a very good chance of getting to the top four. I think if there's ever been a year that they could win the tournament, it would be this year. I think their players are in good form; they've got the right combination of players. Probably always look to potentially not count out Pakistan. Unfortunately. My brain's telling me that you'll probably have to look at Australia getting into their top four. They're in good form, led by a good captain," Chris Morris said.

The 2024 T20 World Cup will feature 55 matches from June 1 to June 29. The event will kick off with a match between the USA and Canada in Dallas on June 1. The semi-finals will take place in Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago on June 26 and June 27 respectively, with the final set for June 29 in Barbados.

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