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NEW DELHI: Over a decade has passed since India won an ICC silverware by defeating England in the ICC Champions Trophy final in 2013.
In terms of silverware in T20 cricket, however, we need to move way back to the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup in 2007, where the Indian team, under the shrewd leadership of MS Dhoni, emerged victorious with a win against arch-rivals Pakistan in the summit clash in South Africa.
The T20 World Cup returns to the Caribbean this year. The last time West Indies hosted the shortest format World Cup was back in 2010, which was a memorable year for England as they thumped Australia to lift the title.
A flamboyant Kevin Pietersen won the Player of the Tournament award, having scored 248 runs that included a stellar knock of 47 off 31 balls against a fierce Australian bowling side in the final.
In an exclusive chat with TimesofIndia.com, Pietersen labelled the victory against Australia as his most memorable moment in any T20 World Cup. And rightfully so, the Paul Collingwood-led side ended up being the champions of the world.
“Winning the World Cup in the Caribbean against Australia in the middle of the Barbados crowd was very special,” recollected Pietersen whose hair may’ve grown white symbolizing his experience in the field of cricket. Yet, his enduring fascination with the ins and outs of world cricket remains as captivating as ever.
Pietersen believes that a lot regarding the potential outcomes of the upcoming T20 World Cup will depend on how the Indian Premier League (IPL) pans out this year.
According to the former English cricketer, the ones with a good IPL season will eventually shine later in the Caribbean.
A keen observer of cricket, Pietersen said, “It’s all about people who will perform at the right time. And that’s going to happen in April and May during the IPL. We’ll see who’s performing the best. The players are good enough to replicate in the World Cup.”
Pietersen has vast experience of playing in the Caribbean and feels that the conditions there will be quite similar to that of India.
“The conditions are pretty similar to what is here in India actually. There will be very low bounce wickets. It takes some spin, but they are also beautiful wickets,” the 43-year-old told TimesofIndia.com.
Despite more downs than ups in his cricketing career of late, Shubman Gill remains a glaring prospect for India in the lead-up to this year’s T20 World Cup. With Gill handed the captaincy of Gujarat Titans following Hardik Pandya‘s move to Mumbai Indians, it is understood that his imminent performances in the IPL will decide his fate in the World Cup squad.
However, when asked to underline one player who could play a standout role in the 2024 T20 World Cup, Pietersen unhesitantly opined, “It is Shubman Gill. He is the guy.”
In terms of silverware in T20 cricket, however, we need to move way back to the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup in 2007, where the Indian team, under the shrewd leadership of MS Dhoni, emerged victorious with a win against arch-rivals Pakistan in the summit clash in South Africa.
The T20 World Cup returns to the Caribbean this year. The last time West Indies hosted the shortest format World Cup was back in 2010, which was a memorable year for England as they thumped Australia to lift the title.
A flamboyant Kevin Pietersen won the Player of the Tournament award, having scored 248 runs that included a stellar knock of 47 off 31 balls against a fierce Australian bowling side in the final.
In an exclusive chat with TimesofIndia.com, Pietersen labelled the victory against Australia as his most memorable moment in any T20 World Cup. And rightfully so, the Paul Collingwood-led side ended up being the champions of the world.
“Winning the World Cup in the Caribbean against Australia in the middle of the Barbados crowd was very special,” recollected Pietersen whose hair may’ve grown white symbolizing his experience in the field of cricket. Yet, his enduring fascination with the ins and outs of world cricket remains as captivating as ever.
Pietersen believes that a lot regarding the potential outcomes of the upcoming T20 World Cup will depend on how the Indian Premier League (IPL) pans out this year.
According to the former English cricketer, the ones with a good IPL season will eventually shine later in the Caribbean.
A keen observer of cricket, Pietersen said, “It’s all about people who will perform at the right time. And that’s going to happen in April and May during the IPL. We’ll see who’s performing the best. The players are good enough to replicate in the World Cup.”
Pietersen has vast experience of playing in the Caribbean and feels that the conditions there will be quite similar to that of India.
“The conditions are pretty similar to what is here in India actually. There will be very low bounce wickets. It takes some spin, but they are also beautiful wickets,” the 43-year-old told TimesofIndia.com.
Despite more downs than ups in his cricketing career of late, Shubman Gill remains a glaring prospect for India in the lead-up to this year’s T20 World Cup. With Gill handed the captaincy of Gujarat Titans following Hardik Pandya‘s move to Mumbai Indians, it is understood that his imminent performances in the IPL will decide his fate in the World Cup squad.
However, when asked to underline one player who could play a standout role in the 2024 T20 World Cup, Pietersen unhesitantly opined, “It is Shubman Gill. He is the guy.”
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