T20I Cricket: If we had to take a look at the patterns in cricket, the way the past 15 days have been, we will go berserk. To predict at this point will be snobbish and to consider anyone as a favorite will be stupidity.
In this tournament, we have seen so many ups and downs that it seems unreal. The paramount of unexpected turns have taken over the T20 World Cup 2022 and we should be ready for it.
In the era where T20s have taken over the world and that is the most cricket, we are seeing. We sure should have expected that in this format where 30 can be achieved in the final over, or it can go for a maiden, everything can happen! Since the first World Cup, we have seen a lot. From bowl out to six sixes, a lot can happen in this format but why?
Let’s Take A Look at Why T20I Cricket is A Boon For Underdogs
Short and Sweet
The order in which the innings are planned is way different from the orthodox ODI or Test cricket. The shorter the format, the leverage to take the risk increases because the impact of mishap is short lived. The adrenaline rush because of the risk factor keeps us hooked and the game is more fun. It is easier for smaller teams to analyze and work on the short format given it rose recently and they can play with more liberty. The biggest of players are taking retirement from longer format and it is the most we have seen in recent time and that is going to be the norm too.
Rise of the Franchisee Leagues
The way we are seeing the rise of franchisee leagues, it is the most sought after format. Players are interested to play in different leagues. They rising team players gain skills and exposure from there and apply the learned experience in their teams sessions. The more of these leagues pop up the more of T20I Cricket these players play around, they sure will take their respective national team to grater success.
Familiar Format for Newer Teams
Test Cricket was first played almost 150 years ago, ODI 70+. The T20 format has been around for less than 20 years. If we talk about the Rising teams such as Afghanistan, Ireland, they have shown their emergence in the format because it is the most relative for them. The history of cricket playing nation does not intimidate them and they can stand shoulder to shoulder with them. The contest is just of skills and if delivered right on the D-Day, you are the winner.
Dynamic Training
If we look at the way teams train for T20I Cricket, it is different than how the longer format is played. You have to ensure you hit more runs in a short time or you take more wickets also in short time. More than cover drive, player focus on power hitting. The training is for faster game and body movement. Players have shifted themselves towards this training because of rise of the format.
All these factors don’t affect how the Front Line teams don’t have the edge over the Rising Teams. They sure do but the T20 format does bring them to a relative ground from where they can compete as equals. We have seems turnaround happening in this World Cup, and from now on we should not act surprised, rather understand that this is what the future holds.
