Jay Shah predicts the semi-finalists of the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup

Asian Cricket Council president and BCCI secretary Jay Shah has named the four semi-finalists of the upcoming 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup which is all set to be co-hosted by the West Indies and the United States of America (USA). According to him, the winners of the inaugural edition India, two-time champion West Indies, the 2021 T20 World Cup winners Australia and New Zealand will be making it to the last four of the showpiece event this year.

Shah cited the strengths and recent performances of these four teams in the T20 format as the reasons behind choosing them. The action-packed tournament which comprises 20 participating nations kicks off on June 1 with the USA taking on Canada at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, Texas.

Speaking to the Times of India, Jay Shah who did not name both the finalists of the previous Men's T20 World Cup edition - England and Pakistan, opened up by saying,

"India, Australia, New Zealand and the hosts, West Indies, because they are good in T20."

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India will be looking to break their ICC tournament jinx this year

India last won an ICC tournament way back in 2013 - the ICC Champions Trophy defeating hosts England by a margin of five runs in a rain-marred final at Edgbaston in Birmingham. Since then, it has been continuous heartbreaks for the Men in Blue and their passionate supporters as the team failed to lay hands on an ICC trophy despite coming close in almost all tournaments.

A runner-up finish at the 2014 T20 World Cup was followed by a disappointing semifinal exit during the 2016 edition at home. A poor performance in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) saw them crash out of the 2021 T20 World Cup in the group stages. Although they came back strongly in the next edition, Rohit Sharma's men once again faltered in the semi-final following a 10-wicket loss against eventual winners England.

This time they will be hoping to break their ICC tournament jinx especially having lost the 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup at home in an agonizing manner despite possessing an unblemished record until the final.

India begin their 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup campaign against Ireland on June 5. They have been placed in Group A, which also comprises Canada, arch-rivals Pakistan and co-hosts USA.