Cricket news: T20 World Cup Group-by-Group preview – favourites, players to watch

The 10th edition of the Men’s T20 World Cup begins later this week, promising to deliver a month of enthralling and drama-filled action, even if many experts are anticipating a near formality for the favourites India.

Build-up to the tournament has been overshadowed by off-field politics as World Cup regulars Bangladesh were replaced for refusing to travel to India, whilst Pakistan are set to boycott their highly-anticipated Group A clash with the co-hosts amid escalating tensions.

A governing body lacking in credibility aside, a fourth iteration of an event in five years within an increasingly saturated T20 landscape has already stifled the usual buzz, but nevertheless, the leading nations will be eyeing an opportunity for silverware and for the Associates, a launchpad in what is a more inclusive global event than the 50-over equivalent.

Ahead of the tournament opener between Pakistan and Netherlands in Colombo on February 7, Cricket Paper writer Dom Harris takes a glance at how each group is shaping up.

For exclusive stories and all the detailed cricket news you need, subscribe to The Cricket Paper website, digital edition, or newspaper from as little as 14p a day.

Group A

The favourites

India are the overwhelming favourites to become not only the first nation to win the Men’s T20 World Cup on home soil but, in doing so, also successfully defend their title.

They have simply been on a different level to the rest in T20 cricket over recent years, winning 44 of their last 50 completed matches in the format, and laid down a further marker of their credentials by smashing 271 and chasing 154 in 10 overs during their recently-concluded series with New Zealand.

Six-hitting sensation Abhishek Sharma and mystery spin wizard Varun Chakravarthy are two standout performers, but such is the match-winning quality throughout in every department, there is often no let-up for the opposition.

It is pretty inconceivable even in cricket’s most unpredictable format that any other team will stop this winning machine, but that is the beauty of a short tournament where India’s past dominance will count for nothing.

Upset potential

Pakistan may be full of confidence from their 3-0 whitewash of Australia, but their intention to forgo the opportunity to earn two points against India has certainly heightened the pressure on their remaining Group A encounters, with three Associate nations eyeing a potential place in the Super 8 stage at their expense.

All three opponents have previous history at the event as well – Netherlands have defeated England twice (2009 and 2014) and South Africa (2022), Namibia thumped Sri Lanka in 2022 and are competing at their fourth consecutive T20 World Cup, whilst USA famously shocked Pakistan in a dramatic Super Over on their tournament debut two years ago.

Underrated player-to-watch

Batting strike rate has often been an issue for Pakistan, so the ability to restrict opposition will be key, and wrist-spinner Abrar Ahmed could have a big say with 46 T20I wickets at 17.15, including an impressive showing against Australia.

Group B

The favourites

Australia will be aiming to add to their Ashes triumph with success in the shortest format, but their T20 setup arrives at the World Cup with lingering questions after they were comprehensively undone by spin in Pakistan.

Cameron Green was the only recognised batter to pass 30 in a disappointing three-match series, which raised more debate around Steve Smith’s omission, whilst there remains fitness concerns for key bowlers Josh Hazlewood and Adam Zampa, with Pat Cummins already ruled out.

Despite setbacks in preparation, this is an Australia side who always expect to be competing at the latter stage of ICC global events and will be desperate to hold both white-ball crowns after winning the 50-over World Cup in 2023.

Upset potential

There are four Full-Member nations in Group B, alongside minnows Oman, as Ireland and Zimbabwe look to spoil the party of co-hosts Sri Lanka.

Both showcased their capability to produce a shock in 2022, but neither have truly flourished on the big stage, with Zimbabwe returning having missed the 2024 edition with an experienced group that do have recent memories of success over Sri Lanka to draw upon, though last played an international fixture on November 25.

Underrated player-to-watch

Sri Lanka may be going under-the-radar but if they are to have a deep run, then expect opener Pathum Nissanka to be a major contributor, having enjoyed two highly productive years in the format and showcased his talent during the recent Asia Cup with a sublime century against India.

Group C

The favourites

England should have few issues navigating their way through a low-ranked Group C, made potentially easier by the withdrawal of a dangerous Bangladesh side, but a combination of testing conditions and a surprisingly poor record against inferior European opponents at ICC global events certainly does not make progression the formality many will be expecting.

Upset potential

Banana skins aplenty for West Indies who, as always, have the ability but can be unpredictable, with Scotland who impressed in 2024, hoping two weeks of preparation will suffice, whilst a talented Nepal side on the rise and tournament debutants Italy will be eager to prove they are more than just making up the numbers – a potentially fascinating narrative beckons.

Underrated player-to-watch

West Indies have a long history of explosive all-rounders in white-ball cricket and Sherfane Rutherford is another name to add to that list, with a stunning SA20 campaign (334 runs at 66.80) demonstrating he has the capability to be more than just a cameo finisher at the back end of an innings.

Group D

The favourites

The most intriguing group sees two tournament hopefuls, New Zealand and South Africa, lock horns as both set about ending their elusive wait for white-ball glory, with the latter looking to banish memories after somehow failing to get over the line in the 2024 final.

The pair face a tough assignment early on, though, with Afghanistan for company, no longer considered a dark horse on the international stage but a genuine high-quality outfit who will be eager to exact revenge on the Proteas from their humbling defeat at the semi-final stage two years ago.

Upset potential

The prospect of Afghanistan reaching the Super 8 stage at the expense of New Zealand or South Africa in subcontinent conditions would not be considered a major surprise.

The challenge is a much more daunting one for Canada and UAE, though, but also an opportunity to test themselves, with UAE in particular possessing personnel who are capable of causing trouble for the bigger sides on spin-friendly surfaces.

Underrated player-to-watch

This T20 World Cup could prove to be a battle of the destructive opening partnerships, and in Finn Allen, New Zealand have one of the biggest-hitters on show, fresh from leading the run-scoring charts in the Big Bash League at a 184 strike rate and also warmed up with a 38-ball 80 in the recent fifth T20I against India.

READ MORE: Tom Banton stakes World Cup claim as England seal T20 series win against Sri Lanka