5 things fans can expect to happen for the first time during the ICC T20 World Cup

We are less than twenty-four hours away from the 6th edition of the ICC T20 World Cup. One the most anticipated multi-nation sports tournament on Indian soil in recent times, the World Cup promises to be a cracker.The qualifying legs are over and we are now down to 10 nations with Bangladesh and Afghanistan qualifying from their respective groups. The 10 teams are divided into two groups of five each with the top 2 teams from both the groups going through to the semi-finals.The fans are in for a T20 treat over the course of the next month with supremely talented teams battling for the ultimate glory. Apart from the entertainment, the fans can expect a few things to happen for the first time during this World cup.

#1 MS Dhonis first ever T20I 50

Dhoni is yet to score a T20 half-century

Yes, surprising isn’t it, India’s charismatic skipper MS Dhoni still does not have an international T20, 50 against his name. In the 63 matches that he’s played so far for India his highest score is 48 not out against Australia at Sydney cricket Ground in 2012.

The biggest reason is that he bats at 6 or 7 for India and does not get to face many deliveries. He plays the role of a finisher for India and does that job remarkably well.

With his inclination to bat at No. 4 (where he bats quite often in the IPL) in the big matches, like he did in the Asia Cup final recently, he could set this record straight. Indian fans would want him to deliver on the grand stage of the World Cup and notch up his maiden T-20 international 50.

This World Cup at home, which many experts believe could well be his last World Cup for India, gives him an ideal opportunity to get the monkey off his back once and for all.

#2 Indias First T20 win against New Zealand

Can India finally beat New Zealand in a T20 match?

New Zealand has been India’s bogie team so far as they have won all four matches against the Asian giants with one game abandoned due to rain. The Kiwis are the only test playing nation which the Indians have not managed to beat in the 10 years of their T20 history.

The only time these two nations met in a World Cup was in the inaugural tournament in 2007 in the rainbow nation of South Africa. New Zealand put up a big score of 190 in 20 overs and India fell short by 10 runs, their only defeat in the world cup.

The next two T20 games were played in New Zealand when India toured there in 2008-09. India lost the T-20 series 2-0 but went on to win the one-day series and test matches that followed the T20 series.

The last T20 match between the two sides was played at Chennai in 2015 which turned out to be only match of the series (as First match at Visakhapatnam was called off due to rain). Man of the match Brendon McCullum scored an entertaining 91 off just 67 balls to help his team to a score of 167. In reply, India fell short of the target by just 1 run with Rohit Sharma not able to score a boundary off the last ball.

The opening game at Nagpur on the 15th of March gives India a great chance to clinch this elusive win over the Kiwis and start the world cup campaign on a high. They would feel confident particularly with Brendon McCullum not being a part of the New Zealand side. New Zealand will miss his presence both as a captain and a flamboyant opener.

#3 Australia look to break their T-20 jinx

Can Australia win their first T20 title?

In the ten ICC Cricket World Cups (50 over format) held so far, five different teams have won the tournament. Australia is the most successful World Cup team having won the tournament five times. However, they have still not managed to win the T-20 World cup. They came close in 2010 when the world cup was held in the West Indies, but were beaten by their arch rivals England in the grand final.

This World Cup presents a great opportunity for Australia to win the only title they haven’t won so far and add to their trophy cabinet. Most of the Aussie players play in the IPL and know the Indian conditions well. With Warner, Watson and Maxwell in their ranks Australia have the arsenal to challenge any side.

They look like one of the strong contenders to lift the title; however lack of quality spinners and the inability to play the turning ball could prove to be their Achilles heel.

#4 First Host Nation to win the title

Can India repeat their 2007 feat on home soil?

The Sixth edition of the World Cup gives India, the host nation to create history by becoming the first nation to win the T20 world cup at home. Sri Lanka were the only host nation that came close to achieving this in 2012.They lost to the West Indies in the finals 4 years ago.

This world cup triumph will make Dhoni the only captain to have won the T20 World Cup twice. If recent form is anything to go by, the Indians look clear favorites to win the cup that has eluded them since 2007.

#5 Chak de India

India recently defeated Australia in a T20 series

This edition of the T-20 World Cup will have the men’s and women’s teams fighting for World Cup glory at the same time. The Indian Women’s team led by the elegant Mithali Raj would want to rewrite history by leading India to their first ever World Cup.

Traditionally dominated by teams like England and Australia, the Indian women team backed by the billion Indian fans would believe that this is their best chance to lift their maiden World Cup.