ICC T20 World Cup 2022: Shane Watson Picks India And Australia As His Favourites To Win ICC T20 World Cup 2022

Because of how the Indian Cricket Team performed against the Australians in the just finished three-match home series, the former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson supported Rohit Sharma’s team as one of the championship favourites. The top-ranked T20I team in the world, India, defeated Australia 2-1 at home last week. 

The 41-year-old, however, believed that the hosts will benefit from the circumstances in the next championship event more than anybody else.

The Conditions In Australia Are Going To Be Different: Shane Watson

During the Road Safety World Series 2022 post-match news conference in Raipur, Shane Watson revealed his opinion on the favourites entering the main event and remarked, “India have played well here in the T20I series against Australia (so they are one of the favourites).

And Australia, for me, are the other big favourites, (because) they are playing very good T20 cricket at the moment. The conditions in Australia are going to be different, the grounds are going to be much bigger.

The pace in the wickets is definitely going to be a little more there as well. Australians are the favourites because of the good brand of cricket they are playing and they’ll utilise the home conditions well.” 

Team India entered the last competition, which was hosted in the UAE last year, as the clear favourites and was eliminated right from the league round. However, Australia performed strongly and ultimately took the championship. 

It Was An Even Contest Till The End: Shane Watson

At the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium on Thursday, September 29, Watson-led Australia Legends fell to India Legends by five wickets, putting an end to their championship run. 

In the last overs, Naman Ojha and Irfan Pathan maintained their composure and pulled off an incredible run chase to advance their side to the championship game. Pathan hit an unbeaten 12-ball 37 to lead the hosts home in the run chase of 172 when 36 was required from the final three overs. 

The World Cup-winning cricketer examined his team’s performance and the point at which they lost control of the game, claiming that either side may have won thanks to Irfan’s crucial contribution. 

Shane Watson said, “It was a really good game of cricket as it could have gone either way. There were times when we were in front of the game. The whole of India’s innings could have gone either way and a good over could have changed the result.

Fortunately for India, Irfan Pathan came in and batted incredibly well. But (overall) it was a brilliant game of cricket. Even during the start yesterday the wickets held up really well and it was an even contest right till the end. The people watching this game could make out it was a good game.” 

It Was A Bit Tacky Last Night: Shane Watson

Due to the weather, the game was postponed on Wednesday and ended the next afternoon. The Australian icon said that the playing surface was mostly constant throughout the competition when asked if it altered throughout India’s innings pursuit. 

One of the greatest players in IPL history, Watson, stated, “It was very similar. It was maybe a bit tacky last night, but things didn’t alter too much. So, for us, it was vital to play the game, play those 20 overs, and give our all in the second innings as well.” 

When questioned about Naman Ojha or Irfan Pathan taking the game away from Australia Legends, Shane Watson responded, “Both (Naman and Irfan played their parts well). I think Naman batted really well, he’s a very skilful batsman and Irfan took the game away from us.

Dirk Nannes has bowled very well for us at the back end of the game throughout this tournament but Irfan was too good tonight.” 

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