ICC T20 World Cup T20 World Cup 2021 will be the most popular global event over the next two months at Oman and UAE.  The outbreak of cricket fever has been already felt. Contamination world spread during the remaining part of IPL 2021 in UAE. 

All squads have been announced. For mere quality and experience of players reigning champions West Indies well prepared for retaining their title. If they do that would be hat trick of T20 World Cup Championship for the flamboyant and effervescent West Indies. The team has 7-8 players who can single handedly win match. West Indians are the most sought after players across the cricket world. 

Targeting the world cup West Indies did well to bring together all their Champion players together. The team played matches against Sri Lanka ,Australia and Pakistan and now playing CPL. They looked battle ready with all weapons at their armory. 

The Squad 

Reserve: Darren Bravo, Sheldon Cottrell, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein
Look at the composition of the team. Can there be any better team comprising of so many match winners. Any cricket admirer regularly follow franchise cricket would agree that this is a dream team. Whether or not it goes all the way does not matter. One cannot imagine so many match winners who rock franchise cricket are assembled in the team. How many teams of the world can push players like Sheldon Cotrell and Jason Holder in the reserve? 

Agree that cricket is a game of glorious uncertainty. T20 again is a gamble where you win some and loose some. But this team which looks like the World Champion West Indies team of seventies and early 80s has all qualities and experience for retaining the top honours. It will be a team to beat. It is highly unlikely that the 8 players would fail all together. Each of them are capable for quick fire explosive batting. But the bowling may appear at bit lean. Obed Mcoy in recent times proved to be good find. Ravi Rampaul is experience campaigner. Hayden Walsh is a wicket-taking bowler. Russel, Bravo and even Gayle and Pollard can chip in with some tight overs.  We are sure Phil Smmons would trim and train the team well for the battle giant. 

Placed in a group of Super 12 alongside England, Australia, South Africa and possibly Sri Lanka and another qualifier West Indies has no reason to finish among top two and even the top. In that case they would likely meet India or Pakistan. In my opinion West Indies would win. On the other side England may encounter New Zealand in the other semi-final . West Indies England final would be a battle giant. T20 Champions would, meet ODI champions. What better Cricket World Can Expect.?

Let me propose a playing Xi: Lendol Simmons, Elvin Lewis, Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmeyer, Andre Russell, Keiron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo, Ravi Rampual, Obed Mcoy and Hayden Walsh 
How Strong Is England? 
England is reining ICC World Cup Champions. They made an excellent plan to develop 30-40 quality players after their 2015 loss to Bangladesh in the world cup. In 4 years developed a team that won the world cup and have won 5 consecutive bilateral T20 series over the last few years. During the COVID pandemic England was the first and only team that developed excellent bio bubble facilities. Inviting West Indies, Pakistan and Australia they managed the test, ODI and T20 series in very safe manner. 

English Squad 
Eoin Morgan, Moeen Ali, Jonathon Bairstow, Josh Buttler, Sam Curran, Chis Jordan, Liam Livingstone, David Malan, Tymal Mills, Adil Rashid, Jason Roy, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood. 

This team again has several proven T20 specialist and again better all round team than other title aspirants. Jason Roy and Jonathon Bairstow have played many match winning innings in IPL . David Mallan is among the top ranked batsmen in IPL. Capatin of Kolkata Knight Riders Eoin Morgan delivers when required with clinical perfection Cricket world has witnessed the devastating power play of Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, David Wlley, Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid are all competent all rounders. New Ball attack would be taken care by Mark Wood and Chris Woakes, Sam Curran and David Wlley are good back up bowlers. Moeen and Rashid are spin options. This team can go all the way and may even win the Trophy.

This team I believe would come up second in the group and would have to play New Zealand In the semi final. That would be classic clash. England I would say better equipped with players as horses for the courses on UAE wickets. My money would be on England. 

BDST: 1410 HRS, SEP 16, 2021
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