Key Player – Hardik Pandya

After a poor campaign in the Indian Premier League 2024, Pandya has proved yet again why is still an instrumental presence in the squad.

In India’s opening fixture against Ireland, he picked up three crucial wickets in Lorcan Tucker, Curtis Campher, and Mark Adair, conceding 27 runs in his 4 overs.

Against Pakistan, Pandya dismissed Fakhar Zaman and Shadab Khan, conceding 24 runs in his 4 overs, ensuring India’s successful defence of a low target.

Taking the pitch against co-hosts USA, Pandya took the all-important wickets of Aaron Jones and Corey Anderson, conceding a mere 14 runs in his 4 overs, bowling yet another maiden over in the process.

In the unique conditions of the Caribbean, where all remaining tournament matches will be held, Pandya’s ability to pick up wickets as the team’s additional pace option could be pivotal.

Australia

The Aussies came through the first round of the tournament with flying colours as they registered a perfect return with victories over Oman, England, Namibia and Scotland.

Under the leadership of Mitchell Marsh, Australia have displayed clinical all-round performance with a well-balanced squad, dominating with both bat and ball, alongside exceptional fielding.

Against Oman, Australia took a comfortable 39-run win courtesy of an exceptional all-round performance from Marcus Stoinis, who contributed 67 runs in 36 balls through an explosive innings. To go with it, Stoinis picked up three wickets in exchange for 19 runs in his three-over spell.

In a mouthwatering fixture against England, the Aussies secured yet another comfortable win, defeating the defending champions by 36 runs. This time, it was a team effort from Travis Head, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Tim David and Matthew Wade, with the bat, combined with two-wicket spells from Adam Zampa and Pat Cummins, that led them to the win.

Australia breezed past Namibia by chasing a target of 73 runs in just 5.4 overs, with David Warner (34 runs in 17 balls), Travis Head (20 runs in 8 balls) and Mitchell Marsh (18 runs in 9 balls) playing explosive knocks with 200+ strike rates. Adam Zampa stole the show with the ball with a four-wicket-haul conceding just 12 runs.

Taking on Scotland in their last match of the first round, the Aussies chased a target of 181 runs in 19.4 overs, with Marcus Stoinis (59 runs in 29 balls) and Travis Head (68 runs in 49 balls) stealing the show with the bat.

Squad

Mitchell Marsh (c), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa.

Fixtures

vs Bangladesh– Thu, 20 June 2024, Antigua and Barbuda, 8:30 PM local time

vs Afghanistan– Sat, 22 June 2024, St. Vincent, 8:30 PM local time

vs India– Mon, 24 June 2024, St. Lucia, 10:30 AM local time