The 2024 edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup started with a bang on Sunday, June 2 (IST) in the USA and West Indies. Like every season, all the teams head into the competition with a combined experienced and youthful energy. While many of them have already represented their respective nations in the marquee tournament, some names will be making their debuts as they play for the first time in the competition.
Five debutants in T20 World Cup must watch out for
Let’s have a look at the five names who will represent their nations for the first time at the mega ICC event.
Gerald Coetzee
South African star Gerald Coetzee will probably be the first names to have all eyes set on him throughout the tournament. Known for his lethal yorker and death bowling, Goetzee proved to be a star for his side during the ODI World Cup 2023. He ended up as South Africa’s highest wicket-taker in the tournament with 20 wickets in eight games. Coetzee had an on-and-off campaign at the IPL with 13 wickets in 10 games. However, he has always emerged as a reliable wicket-taker and will be an integral part of the South African pace attack.
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Matheesha Pathirana
The next name that will be expected to leave a mark in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is Sri Lanka’s new-age pacer Matheesha Pathirana. The youngster’s action is inspired by the Sri Lankan legend Lasith Malinga. His slinky action makes it difficult for the batters to face him. In his 12 ODIs, and six T20Is, Pathirana has scalped a total of 28 wickets. In the IPL 2024, he could only play six games but managed to take 13 wickets.
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Will Jacks
Will Jacks, the IPL 2024 star for RCB, will bring an x-factor to the England’s T20 World Cup squad. The 25-year-old has already played 165 T20 games, and has amassed more than 4000 runs with a strike rate of 160. Not only this, but Jacks has recorded four centuries and 31 fifties. In 11 T20Is, Jacks scored 181 runs with strike rate of 150 and highest score of 40. No doubt, Jacks inclusion in the squad will add more diversion to the reigning champions’ squad.
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Shamar Joseph
It wasn’t long ago that Shamar Joseph made his debut for the West Indies, but has already made a name for himself in international cricketing scenario. In his debut series against Australia, the 24-year-old bowled 12 straight overs in the Brisbane Test and ended up with 7/68 figures to help the side secure its first Test win Down Under since 1997. Joseph is yet to make his T20I debut, but an acquaintance with the Caribbean conditions, Joseph’s inclusion in the squad looks promising.
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Shivam Dube
One name that has emerged lately in the Indian batting scenario is Shivam Dube. The 30-year-old has emerged as one of the most improved cricketers. Dube is a powerful striker and his stance can help the side come up with some high-scoring games in the tournament. The CSK all-rounder displayed his new approach during the Afghanistan T20I series in January where he came up with two consecutive half centuries. Not only this, but Dube also had a decent IPL 2024 campaign, where he scored 396 runs with strike rate of 160 in 14 innings.
