Reports: India to play two warm-up matches against England and Australia ahead of 2021 T20 World Cup
The 2021 edition of the T20 World Cup will be held in the months of October and November in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). And, the Virat Kohli-led Indian side is one of the favourites to lift the T20 World Cup trophy.
India will kickstart their campaign in the 2021 T20 World Cup against arch-rivals Pakistan on 24th October 2021, but before that, Kohli and his men will also play a couple of practice matches as well. India will play two practice matches, against England and Australia respectively.
While the encounter against England will take place on 18th October 2021, the match against the kangaroos will be held on 20th October 2021. Sources also confirmed the same as well. “Yes, India will lock horns against England and Australia in warm-up games and they will be telecast on Star,” stated a source.
India have not won the T20 World Cup since 2007
The Indian cricket team emerged triumphant in the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup that was held in the year 2007. The then MS Dhoni-led Indian side scripted history in South Africa, defeating arch-rivals Pakistan in the summit clash of the tournament.
The closest that the Indian side has come to winning the T20 World Cup once again was in the year 2014 when they reached the summit clash of the tournament. But then, the ‘Men in Blue’ were walloped by a spirited Sri Lankan side by 6 wickets.
In the previous edition of the T20 World Cup that was held in the year 2016, India was knocked out of the tournament during the semifinal stage by the West Indies side. In a high-scoring rubber, India batted first and posted a total of 192/2 on the board.
But then, the West Indies side chased down the mammoth target set by India with 7 wickets and 2 balls to spare. Lendl Simmons was the wrecker-in-chief for the West Indies side with the willow on that day, scoring a belligerent 82* off just 51 deliveries. The West Indies are currently the defending champions of the T20 World Cup.
