With the International Cricket Council (ICC) returning to a 16-team format for the men’s T20 World Cup in 2024, this edition is poised to break numerous records. This tournament features an unprecedented number of strong teams, each playing numerous matches.
Additionally, nearly every team has been meticulously refined to suit the format’s demands. Through the gradual rise of data and analysis, teams are now optimizing every player and situation.
In India‘s opening match against the underrated Ireland at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York, three potential records are at stake. Here they are:
#1 Paur Stirling – most fours in T20Is
It’s a bit of a stretch, especially given the slow pitch and sand-based outfield in New York, but if Irish cricket legend Paul Stirling hits 16 fours against India, he’ll surpass Babar Azam’s current record for most boundaries in T20Is.
The Pakistan captain has 432 fours from 112 innings, while Stirling has 417 from 141 innings. Although Stirling has played more innings than Babar, this doesn’t diminish his status as one of the world’s top four-hitters. In comparison, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, the only players with more runs than Stirling in this format, have far fewer boundaries, with 361 and 359 respectively.
#2 Virat Kohli – most fours in T20 World Cups
Speaking of fours and Kohli, the Indian maestro is also nearing a significant milestone. In 27 T20 World Cup innings, he has hit 103 boundaries, just eight shy of Mahela Jayawardene’s record of 111 boundaries in 31 innings.
As the highest run-scorer in T20 World Cup history, Kohli is well-positioned to claim this record as well. He is likely to excel in the USA conditions, which favour his strengths in attrition and anchoring over the flat wickets that typically highlight power hitters with better six-hitting abilities.
#3 Rohit Sharma has the potential to become India’s most successful T20I captain
Although he has yet to secure an ICC title as captain, Rohit Sharma is poised to solidify his reputation as a T20 captain. If India defeats Ireland on Wednesday, it will mark their 42nd victory under Rohit’s leadership, making him the most successful T20I captain for India. He is currently tied with MS Dhoni at 41 wins.
Dhoni achieved 41 wins in 72 matches, while Rohit is on the brink of surpassing that milestone in just his 55th match as captain. Rohit’s win-loss ratio of 3.41 is significantly higher than that of any other Indian captain who has led the team more than three times in this format.
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