Picture Credit: Twitter/ICC
Although there is still some time to go for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021, the anticipation for the tournament has already commenced. Ahead of the competition, former Australia spinner Brad Hogg has now named his pick for semifinalists of the World Event that is set to be staged in the United Arab Emirates and Oman from October 17 to November 14. Hogg disclosed the names of the four teams on social media in response to a query from a fan.
While the Twitter user had asked Hogg to pick his four semifinalists for the 2021 T20 World Cup, the former Aussie spinner named India, New Zealand, England and West Indies. As per the chinaman bowler, it is the batting depth of these sides which gives them an edge over the other sides in the competition like Pakistan or Australia.
"India, New Zealand, England and West Indies. That is on what I have seen into the lead up. These teams seam to have stronger batting depth. #T20WC," he wrote.
Check out the tweet here:
West Indies only team to win T20 World Cup more than once
While the West Indies are not only the defending champions, they happen to be the only side to have won the T20 tournament more than once. Team India under MS Dhoni had won the competition in 2007 with England winning the same in 2010. New Zealand, meanwhile, is yet to win the ICC T20 World Cup.
As far as their official T20I rankings are concerned, England, India and New Zealand happen to be the top-ranked sides in the world in that very order. In sharp contrast, the Windies are ranked a lowly eighth but showed in their 4-1 series win against Australia what they are really capable of. Similarly, England registered a 2-1 series win over Pakistan, while India had defeated England 2-1 in their last T20I series. Even in the forthcoming T20I leg against Sri Lanka, a new-look Indian side led by Shikhar Dhawan appear to be the favourites, having already clinched the three-match ODI series 2-0 with a match to go. The Blackcaps, on the other hand, whitewashed Bangladesh 3-0 in their last T20I assignment.