Eoin Morgan: India are ‘without doubt’ T20 World Cup favourites

India have announced a formidable squad under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy for their T20 World Cup campaign in the West Indies and the USA. As well as veterans Virat Kohli and the captain Sharma, they boast some of the most exciting T20 players in the world in the form of Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Morgan praised India’s well-balanced squad, highlighting the “strength and depth” of the outfit. “The strongest side even with injuries throughout the tournament is India without a doubt. Their strength and depth are absolutely incredible at the moment,” Morgan said. “We are talking about who the players were that missed out in their squad of 15 because of the quality they possess. They haven’t won it since the first World Cup back in 2007.”

Morgan added: “But again the things that are probably worth talking about: they are favourites for me. The quality they have on paper, I think they can beat anybody quite well in the tournament.”

Interestingly, India have picked four spinners in the squad –  the leg-spin of Yuzvendra Chahal, two left-arm orthodox all-rounders in Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel, and one left-arm wrist spinner in Kuldeep Yadav – hinting that they expect pitches to assist slow bowling.

“Their strength in depth is absolutely incredible”

Eoin Morgan says India are ‘without doubt’ the strongest side going into the T20 World Cup 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/hGswYKHjLP

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) May 27, 2024

India will enter the competition wanting to end their prolonged trophy-less streak in ICC tournaments since 2013, having come frustratingly close only to falter in the last hurdle. Their most recent heartbreak came in the ODI World Cup final last year when Australia beat them in the final to become champions for the sixth time.

The champions of the inaugural edition in 2007 will play Ireland in their tournament opener on June 5.