The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 kicked off with the host USA taking on Canada in Dallas, Texas. The USA, led by captain Monank Patel, chose to field first, setting the stage for a North American cricket battle. Canada, with a strong performance from opener Navneet Dhaliwal, who scored a 61-run knock, set a formidable target of 195 runs. The USA, buoyed by recent successes including a series win against Bangladesh, now faces the challenge of chasing this target in their World Cup debut as they aim to make an impression on the global stage.On the other side of the tournament, India secured a 60-run win over Bangladesh in their warm-up game, with Rishabh Pant making a flamboyant comeback, scoring 53 off 32 balls. Hardik Pandya also shone with an unbeaten 40, as India showcased their depth in batting and bowling. Captain Rohit Sharma, while pleased with the victory, acknowledged that the team’s batting order is yet to be finalized. With the first match against Ireland on the horizon, India looks to leverage their strong middle order and a spin-heavy squad to navigate the conditions in the Caribbean.The T20 World Cup’s arrival in the USA is a pivotal moment for cricket in a country where baseball is deeply entrenched. The USA cricket team, comprising a mix of local and expatriate players, hopes that their participation will catalyze the sport’s growth in the nation. However, the lukewarm build-up to the tournament highlights the challenge of capturing the attention of a predominantly non-cricket following audience.
Key points
- Canada’s Navneet Dhaliwal scored the first fifty of the T20 World Cup 2024, setting a target of 195 runs against the USA.
- India won their T20 World Cup warm-up match against Bangladesh by 60 runs, with Rishabh Pant scoring a half-century.
- The USA cricket team is making their T20 World Cup debut with hopes of growing the sport in the baseball-dominated country.
