We’re less than 48 hours away from the start of the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup in the USA and the West Indies. Twenty teams are getting ready for the tournament in different ways, like playing warm-up matches, facing other teams in bilateral series, or joining T20 leagues like the IPL.
All teams have finalized their squads, and it looks like there will be tough competition for the four spots in the semi-finals. Besides the unpredictable weather, the Caribbean and US conditions are known for favoring spin bowlers, who will be crucial for each team.
Let’s rank the top five teams with the best spin-bowling attacks for the T20 World Cup.
5. New Zealand
Spin-Bowling Options: Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, and Michael Bracewell.
They are known for their effective and economical bowling in all cricket formats. Some of their spin options include Rachin Ravindra and Michael Bracewell, who might not always play but are consistent bowlers despite being better known for their batting skills.
The team relies heavily on their main spinners Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi for control during the middle overs. Glenn Phillips also contributes with his all-round abilities, including improved bowling skills comparable to Aiden Markram, Will Jacks, and Glenn Maxwell.
While New Zealand’s spin attack might not be the most threatening, they excel in keeping the game tight and controlled, especially in conditions that favor spin bowling during this World Cup.
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4. South Africa
Spin-Bowling Options: Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs, and Bjorn Fortuin.
The South African cricket team has a strong group of spin bowlers that their captain, Aiden Markram, trusts for the upcoming World Cup. Tabraiz Shamsi takes wickets regularly, while Keshav Maharaj controls the game well. It’s unlikely any team can prevent them from bowling their full eight overs.
Captain Aiden Markram himself can bowl effective off-spin, which gives South Africa another way to attack teams with left-handed opening batsmen. Tristan Stubbs, who impressed in the IPL, also bowls useful off-spin in the middle of matches.
Bjorn Fortuin, a left-arm spinner who doesn’t give away many runs, provides good support for Keshav Maharaj. Together, they make up a strong spin attack for South Africa with no obvious weaknesses.
3. Sri Lanka
Spin-Bowling Options: Maheesh Theekshana, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Dhananjaya de Silva, and Kamindu Mendis.
Sri Lanka has a strong team of spin bowlers led by Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana, who are ranked among the best in T20 international cricket. Theekshana can take wickets and control runs at any point in the game.
Hasaranga, the team captain, is known for taking a lot of wickets in limited-overs cricket.
They are supported by Dhananjaya de Silva, a dependable off-spinner with lots of experience, although he doesn’t always get enough chances to play.
Dunith Wellalage and Kamindu Mendis are backup spinners. Wellalage’s left-arm spin has been effective in Sri Lanka, but he’s not tested much in T20 matches or in other countries.
Mendis is unique because he can bowl with both hands. He might replace de Silva in the lineup and give Sri Lanka another spin option.
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2. Afghanistan
Spin-Bowling Options: Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Mohammad Nabi, and Nangeyalia Kharote.
Afghanistan’s cricket team is almost at the top spot, but there are some concerns. Rashid Khan hasn’t been as effective since his shoulder surgery, and Mujeeb and Noor Ahmad didn’t perform well in their recent T20 matches. Still, Afghanistan has a strong spin-bowling attack on paper that could trouble other teams.
Rashid Khan is considered one of the best T20 bowlers ever and will lead Afghanistan, focusing on bowling aggressively in the middle overs. Noor Ahmad will support him, just like they do at the Gujarat Titans, and once they find their rhythm, they’ll be hard to play against.
Mujeeb ur Rahman adds variety by bowling well in the early overs, which gives Afghanistan options. Mohammad Nabi, with his experience and accuracy, can bowl four overs without giving away many runs, which is crucial.
Nangeyalia Kharote may not play much, but he adds another style of bowling with his left-arm spin.
1. India
Spin-Bowling Options: Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja.
India is ranked highest because of their spin bowlers’ skills, experience in international matches, and overall quality. People were surprised when India picked four genuine spinners for the World Cup. However, based on their performances in the IPL and international games, these spinners could prove their critics wrong.
The combination of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal, known as Kul-Cha, is back together and is expected to be India’s secret weapon in the tournament. They provide both control and a strong ability to take wickets. Chahal has consistently been among the top wicket-takers in the IPL, and Kuldeep Yadav’s recent form has made him India’s second most important bowler after Jasprit Bumrah.
India’s finger spinners, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel, are known for their accuracy and skill. They can bowl quickly through their overs and are especially dangerous when the pitch supports spin bowling. This makes them risky opponents to take on.
India’s spin bowling team lacks an off-spinner, which is noticeable. However, the variety and quality of their four spinners are their biggest strength in this tournament.
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