The tournament is set to take place across the West Indies and the USA from June 1 to June 29. India’s pre-tournament preparations include a solitary warm-up fixture against Bangladesh on June 1 at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.
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Pant’s comeback to competitive cricket occurred during this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL), following a severe road accident in December 2022. His return marks a significant moment as he dons the Indian jersey once again. In the IPL 2024 season, Pant played for the Delhi Capitals, who finished sixth in the standings.
Despite the team’s failure to advance to the playoffs, Pant was a standout performer, accumulating 446 runs in 13 matches, including three half-centuries, and finishing as the team’s leading run-scorer. Ahead of the World Cup, Pant has visibly slimmed down and appears in excellent physical condition.
A video shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) featured Pant expressing his enthusiasm for rejoining the national team and the unique experience of playing in the USA.
“This is one thing I missed a lot (practicing with the Indian team and playing for them). Getting back on the field with the Indian jersey on, it is a different feel altogether and this is something I missed a lot. I think seeing the teammates and meeting them again, spending time, having fun with them, enjoying having conversations, really enjoying it,” said Pant.
“We are used to playing in certain countries but this is a different prospect. It has opened up a different channel for sport because I feel cricket is growing around the world and getting in a country like the US and getting the exposure here would be nice for cricket as well as USA cricket I guess. So just getting used to conditions over here and let us see how it goes. Hopefully, I make it count and make it more better from here,” he added.
Pant’s performance in T20 World Cups to date includes participation in the 2021 and 2022 editions, where he scored a total of 87 runs across five innings, with a top score of 39.
The upcoming World Cup presents an opportunity for Pant and the Indian team to strive for their first ICC trophy since winning the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013. Despite reaching the finals and semifinals of various ICC tournaments in recent years, including the 50-over World Cup and the World Test Championship, India has not clinched an ICC trophy since their 2013 victory.
India’s campaign in the T20 World Cup will commence against Ireland, followed by matches against Pakistan, the USA, and Canada in Group A. The team aims to secure their first T20 World Cup title since the inaugural tournament in 2007. In the previous edition held in Australia in 2022, India was eliminated in the semifinals by England.
(Inputs from ANI)