I like being the underdog so they don't expect what's going to happen. It pushes me to work harder and do the things I'm not doing better. - Kawhi Leonard
This quote by Kawhi Leonard of Los Angeles Clippers stands true for the T20 WC which ended days back and is still a moment to be cherished for many and a moment to forget for some. Australia, the renowned champions of the ODI and Test format had just one wish to be fulfilled, that to fill their trophy cabinet with the T20 WC trophy. 2016 was a year to forget for the Aussies as they missed the flight to the semi-finals. They had to wait for about 14 years on the whole to have their hands on the prestigious trophy of the shortest format since the inception of the T20 WC. New Zealand, on the other side, the runners up, have their waiting time extended with some cryptic messages from their team mate Jimmy Neesham ,” this is not over yet” and “335 days”, leading to the next T20 WC at Australia. They had met Australia in about 7 finals with Australia leading 7-0. Let us now get into the overall review of the WC which happened in Oman and UAE due to the pandemic surge in India and India being the hosts, had the discussion with the ICC and squared off on these venues which also had the IPL 2021 second half happening during September and October.
Round 1 (Qualifier For Super-12):
The qualifiers of the 2021 T20 WC had 8 teams split into two groups fighting for the final spots to seal in the main Super 12 group along with the other teams. Group 1 had Srilanka, Namibia, Ireland and Netherlands. Group 2 had Scotland, Bangladesh, Oman and Papua New Guinea. Srilanka, Namibia, Bangladesh and Scotland were the four teams who qualified from the qualifiers and joined the Group A and B teams for the Super 12 stage. The qualifiers were held at Oman Cricket Academy ground, Muscat ;Sharjah Cricket Stadium and Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi. Scotland showed who they were in international cricket by providing one of the biggest upsets of the tournament by defeating Bangladesh in their first match, turning all heads towards them. Bangladesh then re-grouped themselves and came back strongly, defeating Oman and PNG. On the other hand, Srilanka and Namibia qualified without much fuss with the Namibians creating history by entering the main stages of a global tournament for the first time.
Super -12, Semi-Final & Final:
The Super 12 stage was set and the two groups were ready to battle it out for the prestigious trophy. Group A had Australia, England, West Indies, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and South Africa while Group B had India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Scotland, Namibia and New Zealand. Group A was considered as the “Group of Death” by cricket fanatics as there was serious competition between the teams to clinch the top 2 spots for the semi-finals whilst Group B was more focussed on the high octane clash of India and Pakistan. Let us now look on how the teams fared in both the groups and their progress in the tournament till the finals.
Sri Lanka:
The Lankan lions, as called in the international circuit, had a good tournament in the style of play they had before coming into the WC. SL has been marred with a lot of inconsistency, bio-bubble breach leading to ban of players in the England series and many more issues and their performances in the past few years has been a worrying factor leading to the WC. But the performance they produced both in the qualifiers and the Super 12 are appreciable. The top order fired very rarely for the team with Kusal Perera and Patthum Nissanka giving a performance here and there. But the standout for the Lankans were the trio of Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksha and Wanindu Hasaranga. While the former showed their prowess in the batting building partnerships and saving the sinking ship of the team, Wanindu was true to his #1 ranking in the ICC bowler’s list producing performance all over the tournament. The team also had some decent fielding and the trio of Lahiru Kumara, Dushmantha Chameera and Maheesh Theekshana took care in the bowling producing economical spells and picking wickets at crucial intervals. Despite the performances, they couldn’t cross the line in 3/5 games and bowed out of the tournament, but took home a moment to cherish with a first round entry to the 2022 T20 WC being held at Australia to play along with the qualifiers for the Super 12 stage.
Bangladesh:
The Bangladesh Tigers, as called in the international circuit, were in high spirits coming into the WC as they plummeted the NZ and Australian sides in their home series. Shakib Al Hasan, the No.1 all rounder and a key player of the team, took all the weight on him and delivered when it mattered. They had a forgetful start to the tournament with a loss to Scotland in the qualifiers, sending shocking waves all across the cricketing fraternity. But they took the defeat seriously and pulled their socks back and won the next three matches, finishing second in the Group 2 in the qualifiers and getting an entry to Group A of the Super 12 stage. The Bangladesh team also had the same problem of Sri Lanka with the top order providing very little spark in their performances and all the onus falling on their captain Mahmadullah, Shakib and Mushfiqur Rahim. There is a saying which goes “Catches win matches” and that was mistook by the Bangladesh Tigers, They did the opposite, dropping match defining moments and ultimately losing the plot in the Super 12 stage where they finished with no wins and bowed out of the tournament first overall. Like Sri Lanka, due to the rankings surge, Bangladesh earned a direct entry ticket for the 2022 T20 WC to be held at Australia.
Namibia:
Cricket is a game of surprises and there have been games wherein the teams have escaped from the jaws of defeat and there have been matches where upset is predominant. One such team which is known for their grit and determination in this WC is Namibia. A country in the South-west part of the African continent, they have been a treat to watch for. They upset the Irish and entered their first ICC tournament and created history in books. X-factor is always considered an important factor to a cricket team and the X-factor of this Namibian team is former SA player David Wiese. A medium pacer and a handy middle order batter, David was literally a blessing in disguise for the team as he counter parted with captain Gerhard Erasmus and eased off the pressure off him at times to show how strong this team is. He made sure that the Namibians would at any cost not surrender to anyone in the cricketing circuit and that they would own for what they are known, fighting spirit. Be it upsetting the Irish or giving nerves to the Pakistan team, this champion team showed that they are no easy associate team to defeat. The Namibians earned a first round entry to the 2022 T20 WC being held at Australia to play along with the qualifiers for the Super 12 stage.
Scotland:
Whenever one says Scotland, the instant thought one gets is, Scotland Yard, one of the best police forces of the globe. But the Scotts are great entertainers in art and also their clothing looks very fashionable. The Scotland team, this WC would be remembered for the great upset they gave to the Bangladesh team in the first day of the qualifiers, defeating them by 6 runs and ensuring all heads are turned towards them. They had a special jersey made by a common girl of their country through a competition and they wore that jersey very proudly and displayed good cricket throughout the tournament. Even though they were tormented vociferously by the Afghan team, dismissing them very cheaply, they had their good share of cricket played across the tournament and earned a first round entry to the 2022 T20 WC being held at Australia to play along with the qualifiers for the Super 12 stage.
West Indies:
The defending champions coming into the 2021 WC were one of the favourites to keep their cup with themselves but their performance didn't indicate that. Having one of the strongest batting lineup which can destroy the opponents any day, they played like mere puppets showing less intent and not scoring upto the mark. They lost the plot in the squad selection where they had Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein in the reserves whereas Chris Gayle, Oshane Thomas were in the main squad. Later, they had to bring in Jason Holder and Akeal Hosein into the main squad due to injuries to Obed McCoy and Fabian Allen. The top order showed less intent and didn't lay the platform for a high score except for Evin Lewis. Chris Gayle, Lendl Simmons; known as big hitters and destructors of opponents fizzled out everytime and played run-a-ball innings. Shimron Hetmyer was the only promising middle order batter and later Roston Chase, who made his T20I debut in the WC, helped the team out of sinking ship. Experienced campaigners in captain Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell and Dwayne Bravo didn't perform when it mattered. Akeal Hosein showed some spark in the tournament by bowling some economical spells and taking some stunners in the fielding. A tournament to forget for the Carribeans who played like the minnows and the minnows playing better cricket than them, they have to now play in the qualifiers in the 2022 T20 WC to be held at Australia along with other qualifiers to earn a ticket to the Super 12 stage.
South Africa:
The chokers of the ICC tournaments, as they are fondly called, showed to the world this T20 WC that they are a force to reckon with. This squad along with SL showed much impression and was unlucky to have missed the cut for the semis even though winning their last league match against England. This team, for many years, has been marred with the colour issue and they had an unfathomable incident in the BLM movement knee taking issue with their prime and elegant keeper QDK being dropped for a crucial match. Captain Temba Bavuma was a failure in this tournament playing slow knocks and causing a downhill in their NRR, losing them an opportunity in the race for the semis. Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada and Tarbraiz Shamsi showed what they are known for, the knack of picking wickets and controlling the opposition. Rassie Van Der Dussen and Aiden Markram literally carried the team in the batting and showed their masterclass. This team, with their current composition, would be a fierce competitor in the upcoming T20 WC to be held in Australia.
Afghanistan:
The Afghanistan team, known for the T20 format with some hitters up the order and some world class spinners, had a tournament to forget. Even though being in the circuit for a considerable amount of time, their experience in converting matches into winning position is lacking big time. Mujeeb and Rashid partnered and fizzled out the Scotts in their first match, by dismissing them for a paltry 60 and winning by a margin of 130 runs, their highest win and upping their NRR. But then, their downfall started and they were one of the teams which was being depended on by other teams to have their shot in the semis, but the Afghans had other plans. Asghar Afghan, the captain who led the team for most number of wins in the T20 format, retired mid-way from the tournament and had a good time in the tournament. Shahzad fizzled most of the times and it was the trio of Gurbaz, Zazai and Zadran who gave the impetus at the top. Nabi, their captain, played some slow innings in the middle to save the sinking ship but that didn’t help them. Despite the unprecedented situation happening in Afghanistan, this team was all brave and gave their maximum in this edition. Like this edition,they are automatically qualified to the Super 12 stage of the ICC T20 WC 2022 being held in Australia.
India:
The Indian team, champions of the inaugural T20 WC, had been since then trying to clinch the T2 WC again, but to no avail. They have been coming to the penultimate stage and been failing constantly and this WC was even more worse for the team. This team, fresh from the second half of IPL and already having experience in playing in the UAE, showed glimpses against the associates and failed against big teams like Pakistan and New Zealand. The openers didn’t convert their small starts and had to bank upon the middle order to deliver. But that did also work out and their bowling disappointed even more against the big teams. The team had another setback with their regular skipper Virat Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri stepping down from their respective roles and paving way for the new captain and coach in Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid. The team needs to be regrouped and should give a shot at the next WC to be held in Australia in 2022.
England:
The English, who came into the tournament as the favorites to again lay their hands on the prestigious trophy, had their dreams cut short when New Zealand bamboozled them with their performance, leaving them unsettled. This team, with the blistering opening pair showed what they are known for. Buttler hit the only century of the tournament against the Sri Lankans and had the tournament lively. They had the defending champions West Indies dished out for the lowest total of the tournament and comfortably won against them. The batting spearheaded by Roy and Butler, had some come-and-go performances by the middle order of Dawid Malan, Eoin Morgan and Johnny Bairstow. Mooen Ali and Liam Livingstone showed their class in cameos in batting and bowling in tandem picking wickets at crucial intervals. This team, though unsettled in this tournament, would like to carry the same form to the 2022 ICC T20 WC to be held in Australia.
Pakistan:
The Pakistan team, one of the clear favorites to lift the trophy, had a disastrous end to their tournament courtesy a costly drop and a bashing at the end by the Australian team. This team, UAE being their second home ground, were on a rampage, clinching all the Super 12 matches and entering the semi-finals in style. Their openers in Babar Azam and Mohd Rizwan, continued their form which they left at England and dashed the hopes of the Indian fans by winning against them by 10 wickets. They again had the Kiwis in their nerves before clinching comfortably and almost were in a spot of bother against the Afghans before Asif Ali took on a rampage in the penultimate over. Shoaib Malik, Fakhar Zaman came to the party when it was needed and provided the impetus to the team. Shadab Khan, Harris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi and Imad Wasim partied in the bowling department bowling economical spells and picking wickets at intervals to keep the tournament cycle ticking with their wins. They lost the plot when it mattered and shattered the dreams of their fans when they had an opportunity after 12 years to lay their hands on the prestigious trophy post the 2009 edition. This team is known for not settling down and would be another favorites to watch out in the 2022 ICC T20 WC to be held in Australia.
New Zealand:
The Kiwis, one of the most consistent teams of the international circuit, had their great run in the tournament by surprising all and entering the finals in style for the third consecutive ICC tournament. They had a bitter end to the ICC WC 2019, getting defeated by the England team on the basis of boundary count and then bounced back to defeat them in the semi-finals of the 2021 ICC T20 WC. They had their hands on an ICC championship after a very long time by becoming the WTC champions and were eyeing for a double by clinching the ICC T20 WC. The Kiwis made a tactical change in promoting Daryll Mitchell to open with Martin Guptill and it paid rich dividends. Both the openers performed consistently and gave brisk starts to the team which was followed with performances by captain Kane Williamson, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Philips. The bowling quartet of Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult, Adam Milne, Tim Southee along with Mitchell Snatner gave the impetus to the team when it mattered and boiled tighter spells casting a spell against the opposition. The team is now in tour with India for a bilateral series and would be gunning to clinch the lost trophy back when they return to the fold in Australia, their neighbours in the 2022 ICC T20 WC and would be eyeing to avenge their final loss in the prestigious MCG in the 2015 ICC WC.
Australia:
Four weeks back, if one had asked, would this team be the champions in the tournament, the answer would be a mocking smile and big NOOO!!!!! But the champions of the ICC T20 WC 2021 are known for comebacks and dominance. The Australians were devoid in the T20 format and were not able to clinch the trophy back in 2010 and had been faltering in every T20 WC. But this time, they were determined to lay their hands and worked on it. They had the lion hearted warrior in Warner, who was going through a very rough patch in his cricketing career post the Sandpaper saga and was also mysteriously dropped from captaincy and playing in the IPL by the SRH franchise. The idea of promoting Mitch Marsh to No.3 in the batting by coach Justin Langer paid rich dividends right from the West Indies tour and he rose to the occasion when it mattered. Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell gave the impetus to the team when it mattered and also rolled their arms at times to give breakthroughs. Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins took the load in the bowling and proved who they were, a strong unit in the bowling. Aaron Finch credited the IPL being a part to the performances of the players and was very happy to have their cabinet fill the one trophy they had been luring, the ICC T20 WC trophy. They would be now defending the trophy at their home ground next year and would be interesting to see how they fare.
With this, we come to the end of the article and I hope all would have had a good read at the WC which happened. Not to forget, the stunning fielding performance by some of the players in the tournament, which is my favourite domain as I am an ardent fan of one of the greatest fielders of the cricketing world, Suresh Raina was impeccable and was a treat to the eyes. And, I would like to end with my 2021 ICC T20 WC team of the tournament.
ICC T20 WC 2021 Team of the tournament:
Jos Buttler (Eng) (WK), David Warner (Aus), Babar Azam (Pak) (C), Aiden Markram (SA), Charith Asalanka (SL), Mooen Ali (Eng), Wanindu Hasaranga (SL), Josh Hazlewood (Aus), Adam Zampa (Aus), Trent Boult (NZ), Anrich Nortje (SA)
Reserves: Kagiso Rabada (SA), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Pak), Akeal Hosein (WI), Rassie Van Der Dussen (SA), Mohd Rizwan (Pak), Liam Livingstone (Eng), Ish Sodhi (NZ)
