Who Will Win the T20 World Cup? Odds and Predictions

Ever since winning the 2007 edition of the T20 World Cup in South Africa, India have not got their hands on the coveted trophy. In 2014, they played in the final, but lost to Sri Lanka at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. They played in the semi-finals of the 2016 and 2022 seasons of the tournament but lost to West Indies and England, respectively.

India will go into the upcoming tournament as the top favourites. Rohit Sharma, who has been playing in the T20 World Cup in 2007, will again lead them. Virat Kohli remains the stalwart in their batting lineup, being the top run-scorer in the history of the tournament. Suryakumar Yadav is the no.1 ranked batter in T20Is, and hence, expectations will be supremely high.

Yashasvi Jaiswal will be key for India at the top of the order. Rishabh Pant is making a comeback to the national team since his accident back in December 2022. Sanju Samson also fought his way back into the Indian setup following an impressive performance for the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024.

Jasprit Bumrah is expected to lead their fast-bowling unit, which also has Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj. Bumrah was amongst the leading wicket-takers of the competition although his team, Mumbai Indians (MI) failed to make their way through to the playoffs.

Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal are the specialist spinners in their lineup, although it is highly unlikely that both will feature in the same playing XI. Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja are their spin-bowling all-rounders and a lot would depend on them as well. Shubman Gill, Avesh Khan, Khaleel Ahmed and Rinku Singh are the travelling reserves.

Check out our full India team preview and predictions here if you are interested in more stats, facts and reasoning for an India T20 World Cup victory!

Back in 2021, Australia won the T20 World Cup for the first time after beating New Zealand in the final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. In the previous edition on home soil, Aaron Finch and Co. could not make their way through to the playoffs. This time around, they have Mitchell Marsh as their skipper. Marsh was suffering from a hamstring injury, but has recovered in time.

David Warner has retired from Tests and ODIs and he would be looking to make a mark in the World Cup. Earlier, Jake Fraser-McGurk was not picked in the squad for the mega event, but later Cricket Australia (CA) named him as one of the reserves along with Matthew Short. Fraser-McGurk has only played 2 ODIs for the Aussies, but hit a couple of 15-ball fifties while playing for Delhi Capitals (DC) in IPL 2024.

Glenn Maxwell did not have a great outing while playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), but he has always been a brute force for Australia at the highest level. The focus will be on Travis Head, one of our top 5 players to look out for, who has tormented India with hundreds in the finals of the World Test Championship and the ODI World Cup.

In Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, Australia have a deadly fast-bowling attack. Adam Zampa should lead their spin attack. Tim David, Cameron Green, and Marcus Stoinis are the power-hitters in the middle-order.

England will be captained by Jos Buttler, who led them to the final in 2022. But under Butter, the Three Lions faltered big time in the ODI World Cup last year when they failed to advance to the semi-final. The Brits have done well in the Caribbean in the past and would be fancying their chances. They will also be looking to become the first team to successfully defend their T20 World Cup title.

Jofra Archer is making a return to the setup after facing injury concerns over the last 3 years. Harry Brook has not played a lot of cricket in the last few months and it remains to be seen how he shapes up for the championship. Wiil Jacks scored a brilliant hundred for RCB against the Gujarat Titans last month and his role as an opener will be of prime importance.

Phil Salt scored back-to-back T20 hundreds last year and was brought by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as a replacement for Jason Roy. Salt tormented the opposition bowling in partnership with Sunil Narine. Mark Wood can bowl in the 150s on a consistent basis and he is good enough to ruffle a few feathers. Adil Rashid, Tom Hartley and Moeen Ali are the genuine spin-bowling options.

South Africa are yet to get their hands on the T20 World Cup title. Aiden Markram, who helped the Sunrisers Cape Town to a couple of SA20 titles, now has a chance to bring glory for the Proteas in the global event. Quinton de Kock, who retired from ODIs last year, is expected to play a vital role bearing in mind the experience he has.

David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen will hold the key in the middle order for South Africa. Tristan Stubbs played some useful knocks for DC in the IPL and he will be high on confidence. Kagiso Rabada, Gerald Coetzee and Anrich Nortje is a trio that can destroy any batting lineup in the world.

West Indies have won the T20 World Cup twice, but they did not have the best of times in the previous two editions. Although no home team is yet to win the title, the Caribbean team has the chance to set the trend. Recently, they beat South Africa in the 3-match T20I series and the victory should keep them in good stead.

Nicholas Pooran and Rovman Powell are stalwarts in their middle order and West Indies will depend heavily on them to deliver. Andre Rusell recently won the 2024 IPL title with KKR and would be looking to carry the form into the World Cup. Sherfane Rutherford was also a part of the Knight Riders, but did not get to play.

Alzarri Joseph, Romario Shepherd and Obed McCoy are their experienced pacer. Shamar Joseph has been stupendous in Test cricket, but it remains to be seen if he can replicate something similar in T20Is.  

New Zealand got close to winning the title in 2021, but lost to Australia in the final. Finn Allen and Devon Conway are most likely to open the batting for them. Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell are already up and running after playing for the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. Glenn Phillips was a part of runners-up Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), but did not get to play a single match.

Kane Williamson has a bundle of experience and will be the nucleus of the Black Caps’ batting order. Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tim Southee and Lockie Ferguson form their pace attack. Ish Sodhi, Michael Bracewell, and Mitchell Santner are their regular spinners.

Pakistan have already played in 3 finals of the T20 World Cup, but won only 1 of them. Babar Azam recently returned as their skipper as he has a job on his hands. Haris Rauf has also made his comeback after 3 months since injuring his shoulder in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim are also a part of their squad. Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Naseem Shah are vital members of their team as well. Saim Ayub is a promising youngster and the focus will be on him. Azam Khan has been questioned for his fitness and here lies the chance for him to answer his critics.

Sri Lanka won the T20 World Cup back in 2014, but have not been impressive since then. It needs a herculean effort from them if they are to win their second title.

Bangladesh will be low on confidence after losing 1-2 to the United States of America (USA) in the bilateral series. Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das, Mahmudullah Riyad and Taskin Ahmed remain some of their crucial members.