A total of 16 teams are competing for the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 title started on October 16 in Australia. Of these 16, four will be eliminated in the qualifiers and the remaining 12 teams will clash to win the most coveted T20I trophy.

There are many strong contenders to win the tournament, but, keeping in mind the recent form and other factors, we are picking four teams that are most likely to win the trophy.

Also Read: T20 World Cup 2022: Top 5 Players to watch out for in the tournament

Australia

The Kangaroos have to be one of the favorites for any cricket tournament, no matter what form they are in. The Aaron Finch-led side had defeated England in the last year's T20 World Cup final. This year, the Australian team is looking stronger than ever.

• .In the last two outings against England and West Indies, Australia beat the teams comprehensively. In 2022, Australia played 17 T20I matches and won 12 of these. 
• Cameron Green, the opening right-handed batter, who had a very good season with the bat against India, however, is not included in the world cup squad. In place of him, Ashton Agar might open the innings with Finch. But apart from him, there's Mathew Wade, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, and Pat Cummins who will be crucial for the team. 
• Australia has a good chance of defending their title.

Read Also: Ross Taylor names 5 Emerging Batters to watch at T20 World Cup 2022

India

It is quite surprising that the Indian team has not won a single T20 World Cup since the start of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008. India won the maiden title in 2007 in South Africa under the captaincy of Mahendra Singh Dhoni. In 2014, India came close to winning the title again but lost the final game against Sri Lanka.

• But this time the Indian team looks in a good form. In 2022, India played 27 T20I games winning 21 of these. They have lost 6 times, while 1 game ended without a result. India beat England at its home, outclassed South Africa twice this year, and also recently won a three-match T20I series against Australia. India at the moment holds the number one position in the ICC T20I rankings.
• The team has a strong batting line up which features KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant Hardik Pandya, and Dinesh Karthik. Though the team's star allrounder Ravindra Jadeja is out due to a knee injury, Pandya and Axar Patel are in perfect form.
• In the bowling unit, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammad Shami, and Yuzvendra Chahal are expected to lead the attack. Mohammad Siraj and Bhuvneshwar Kumar will also be included in the team in some matches. 
• The biggest plus point for the team is the brilliant form of Suryakumar Yadav and Virat Kohli. The two have been playing some good cricket in the recent past and in Australia, these players will be key for India.

Also Read: T20 World Cup: Top 5 performances by Indian players

Pakistan

When it comes to throwing big surprises, you cannot ignore the Pakistan cricket team. For instance, in the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy, Pakistan had just managed to qualify for the tournament. It also lost the first match. But after that, the Sarfaraz Ahmed-led side bounced back so strongly that it won the tournament.

• Pakistan is one of the top favorites to win the T20 World Cup this year. Pakistan just won a seven-match tri-series against New Zealand and Bangladesh. In the final match, Pakistan defeated New Zealand and clinched the series. 
• In 2022, Pakistan played 16 T20I matches and won 10. It lost six games.
• For Pakistan, the biggest plus point will be the form of Mohammad Rizwan and captain Babar Azam. The addition of Haider Ali and Shan Masood to strengthen the middle order is also giving results.
• In the bowling department, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Waseem, and Haris Rauf are doing really well.
• Overall, the Pakistan team looks really strong and has a high chance of winning the cup.

Read Also: T20 World Cup 2022: Top 5 Biggest Upsets in T20 World Cup history

England

The Jos Buttler-led side is one of the best in the T20 format and has been dominating the game for the last few years. England won the T20 World Cup in 2010. The team under Eoin Morgan came close to winning the tournament again in 2016 but they lost the final against West Indies. Carlos Braithwaite smashed 19 of 6 balls and won the tournament.

• England recently won a 2-match T20I series against Australia and defeated Pakistan in a seven-match T20I series before recently.
• For England, Moeen Ali, Jos Buttler, Liam Livingstone, and Jonny Bairstow will be the players to watch out for.
• Their captain Jos Buttler will also be a key player as he was in outstanding form in the IPL this year. 

Also Read: T20 World Cup 2022: England Team Preview

Indian cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir has suddenly returned to India, citing a family emergency as the reason. A BCCI source has given this information to news agency PTI.

The source said that Gambhir had to return to take care of his mother, who has been admitted to a hospital in New Delhi due to health complications. The Shubman Gill-led Indian Test team is in England to play a five-match IND vs ENG series, starting June 20 in Leeds.

Also Read: Exclusive: Advised by Sourav Ganguly, Abishek Porel gets coached by Yuvraj Singh; this is what he learned

Doeschate will look after the team for now

In Gambhir's absence, assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate will oversee the team during the four-day intra-squad match between India and India A starting from Friday. He will be assisted by other coaching staff like bowling coach Morne Morkel and batting coach Shitanshu Kotak. If all goes well at home, Gambhir is expected to return to England within a week.

Indian team would like to test its preparations

The Indian team will play intra-squad matches to finalise its preparations ahead of the IND vs ENG five-match Test series. India A played two unofficial Test matches against England Lions and the batsmen showed their prowess in them. Such matches are important for the preparation of the team before any series. India has opted to play this match in an empty stadium so that the opposing team does not get a clue of their strategy.

All eyes will be on Kuldeep-Jadeja

In this match, the performance of Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja will be watched and an interesting competition is expected between these two to make a place in the final eleven of the Indian Test team.

India's bowling coach Morne Morkel had said on Wednesday that the match is crucial for India's preparation as it is difficult to develop the ability to bowl and field 90 overs in a day through normal practice sessions. This match will give the Indian team management a good opportunity to assess its players, especially the bowlers, in match situations.

Also Read: Ellyse Perry predicts the winner of WTC 2025

This will help ensure that the bowlers, be it spinners or pacers, are in the required rhythm in the actual match. Gambhir will have to do some brainstorming to pick the only specialist spinner for Headingley.

Jadeja has a good batting record abroad but if India has to take 20 wickets then Kuldeep's role will become important. Kuldeep can prove to be a good partner of fast bowler Jaspreet Bumrah in the conditions here. Jadeja vs Kuldeep is the biggest puzzle for the playing XI that the team management will have to solve.

Eyes will be on fast bowlers as well

Similarly, this match will give the team management and captain Shubman Gill a chance to see which ball works better in these conditions - Akash Deep's full length or Prasidh Krishna's back of the length. Bumrah, who will be playing a red ball match after six months, will get a chance to bowl multiple spells and test his fitness. He has played only IPL since returning from a lower back injury.

The cricket world, known for its constant evolution, has seen a drastic shift in a month. Over the past month, six notable players have chosen to conclude their careers on the global stage.

From legendary batsmen to powerful all-rounders, these departures mark a significant moment in the history of cricket. These aren't just names; they are players who have shaped matches and won the hearts of millions.

Explore the list of 6 cricketers who announced their retirements since last month.

1. Rohit Sharma (Test retirement) | May 7, 2025

On May 7, 2025, Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from Test cricket, marking the end of his remarkable journey as a batsman, as well as India's captain in tests. His test career lasted for 12 years since his debut in 2013.

Sharma transformed himself into a brilliant test opener in the latter half of his career. One of his defining moments in Test cricket arrived in 2019 against South Africa, where he hammered a majestic 212 runs as an opener, showcasing his ability to wear down opposition attacks.

He is the fifth-most successful Test captain for India, leading to 12 Test victories.

Rohit Sharma's stats in tests:

2. Virat Kohli (Test retirement) | May 12, 2025

Following Rohit's retirement, India lost the era's most dominant force in test cricket. The announcement of Virat Kohli's test retirement on May 12, 2025, resonated globally, leaving everyone shocked and upset. 

Kohli approached the test format with a fierce competitive spirit and hunger for runs. His dedication and skill set in this format saw him notch 7 double centuries in his test career. He also became the most successful test captain of India during the 8 years (Dec 2014-Jan 2022) of his captaincy tenure, leading to 40 wins.

This decision of Kohli to step away from tests also brought the interests of Indian fans in tests in question. This retirement indeed marked the end of an era.

Virat Kohli's stats in tests:

3. Angelo Mathews (Test retirement) | May 23, 2025

Sri Lanka's enduring test pillar, Angelo Mathews, concluded his test career on May 23, 2025. He left behind a legacy of resilience and crucial performances as an all-rounder. 

Mathews possessed the ability to adapt his game and accelerate when required. His unbeaten 200 runs against Zimbabwe in 2020 stand out as one of his vital contributions. He also took a total of 33 wickets in tests.

He led Sri Lanka in 34 matches as a captain and won 13 among them.

Angelo Mathews' stats in tests:

4. Glenn Maxwell (ODIs Retirement) | June 2, 2025

Australia's one of the most captivating hitters and match-winners, Glenn Maxwell, announced retirement from ODIs on June 2, 2025. Known for his explosive strokeplay and ability to turn the game around, he had an amazing ODI career.

Maxwell's career has many moments to highlight, but nothing can match his astonishing 201* runs against Afghanistan in the 2023 Cricket World Cup. Coming back with a back injury, this innings was a masterclass in aggressive and controlled batting.

He snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, which goes down in the history of ODI cricket.

Glenn Maxwell's stats in ODIs:

5. Heinrich Klaasen (International retirement) | June 2, 2025

On June 2, 2025, Heinrich Klaasen announced his international retirement, which marked the end of a relatively short yet impactful career as a destructive batsman in white-ball cricket. 

Since his international debut for South Africa in 2018, he has been a hard-hitter of the ball and has become one of the most feared finishers in limited-overs formats. His phenomenal 174 runs off just 83 balls against Australia in an ODI in 2023 stands as a testament to his raw hitting power and ability.

Heinrich Klaasen's international stats (2018-2025)

6. Nicholas Pooran (International retirement) | June 10, 2025

The West Indies batter, Nicholas Pooran, announced his international retirement on June 10, 2025, at the age of just 29. This marked one of the earliest retirements for a high-profile West Indies player.

As a left-hander wicket-keeper batsman, Pooran quickly established himself as an electrifying hitter in white-ball cricket. He brought an aggressive approach to the crease, with the potential to turn the game in his favour.

He has done exceptionally well in his short-lived international career. His 98 runs off 53 balls against Afghanistan in the 2024 T20 World Cup perfectly tell the story of his talent.

Nicholas Pooran's international stats (2016-2025):

The air around Pakistan Cricket is thick with anticipation. Unconfirmed but strong reports indicate that Pakistan Cricket Board (PSB) is set to make a major leadership change, with Salman Ali Agha likely to take over Pakistan's all-format captaincy.

This is not just a routine captaincy change; it's a strategic move by PCB that could fundamentally change the team's trajectory.

What does this decision truly signify for the Green Shirts? Find out.

The current captains: Where do they stand?

Pakistan's captaincy landscape is currently questionable, influenced by their recent performances.

1. Shan Masood (Test Captain)

Appointed in November 2023, Shan Masood's captaincy has been challenging. The team suffered a 3-0 whitewash in Australia (Dec 2023- Jan 2024) which placed his position under significant threat.

Additionally, they also lost 2-0 to Bangladesh (Aug-Sept 2024) which almost marked the end of his captaincy tenure.

2. Mohammad Rizwan (ODI Captain)

Named full-time ODI captain in 2024, Mohammad Rizwan's tenure is also under review. While he had initial success, his position came under threat after their early exit from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, despite being the defending champions.

This include big losses to New Zealand and India in the tournament.

3. Salman Ali Agha (T20 Captain)

Appointed T20 captain in March 2025, Agha has been impressive. Under his brief leadership, the T20I side has reportedly shown "newfound intent" while batting. 

He has impressed both the selection committee and PCB chairman.

PCB's decision to change:

The PCB's move towards an all-format captain, particularly Salman Ali Agha, signals a desire for greater stability, a unified vision, and a fresh approach after a period of mixed results and frequent leadership changes.

The performances under Masood and Rizwan, especially in critical series and tournaments, have undeniably shaped the board's apparent decision towards a new captaincy structure and implement a new era under a single leader.

Till now, 11 Indian cricketers have been inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame. Former Indian captain and legend MS Dhoni became the latest Indian to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame list. 

Read Also | India's 2011 World Cup winning squad: Where are they now?

Along with MS Dhoni, Aussie great Matthew Hayden, South African legend Hashim Amla, former South African captain Graeme Smith, former Kiwi leader Daniel Vettori, and former Pakistan captain Sana Mir and English legend Sarah Taylor were also inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame 2025.

Unorthodox, unconventional and effective 🙌

A cricketer beyond numbers and statistics 👏

MS Dhoni is inducted in the ICC Hall of Fame 🥇

More ➡️ https://t.co/oV8mFaBfze pic.twitter.com/AGRzL0aP79

— ICC (@ICC) June 9, 2025

Here are the Indian cricketers who have been inducted into the prestigious "ICC Hall of Fame". 

Indian Cricketers in the ICC Hall of Fame

The England and Wales Cricket Board on Thursday announced a 14-member squad for the first Test of the five-match series against India. The ENG vs IND five-match Test series is starting from June 20. The first match will be played at Headingley on June 20, 2025.

Also Read: Youngest Cricketers to lead India in Tests

Overton replaces Atkinson

Fast bowling all-rounder Jamie Overton has returned. He has been included in the team in place of injured Gus Atkinson. Jamie has returned after the match against New Zealand in June 2022.

Atkinson was unavailable for selection due to a right hamstring injury suffered during the Test against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge.

Carse, Woakes included in the squad

Fast bowlers Brydon Carse, Jacob Bethell and Chris Woakes have also been named in the squad, who last played during the New Zealand Test tour in December. The India A side are already in the United Kingdom, playing warm-up games against England Lions.

Woakes, known for his effectiveness in home conditions, especially at Lord’s, last featured prominently in 2018 against India, where he claimed four wickets and smashed an unbeaten 137.

Young spinner Shoaib Bashir, who starred with nine wickets against Zimbabwe, retains his spot as the lone specialist spinner. IPL winner Jacob Bethell and seamer Sam Cook, both of whom impressed recently, have also earned call-ups.

Ben Stokes to lead the team

England will field a significantly altered team compared to the last time they faced India in early 2024. James Anderson has since retired, while Jonny Bairstow, Ben Foakes and Ollie Robinson are the other notable absentees from the squad.

Ben Stokes, who returned from a hamstring injury in that Zimbabwe Test, will lead England against India in a five-match series that marks the start of both teams’ campaigns in the new ICC World Test Championship cycle.

Also Read: Most runs vs England in England for India in tests

ENG vs IND Test Series Schedule

• 20-24 June 2025 - 1st Test, Headingley
• 2-6 July 2025 - 2nd Test, Edgbaston
• 10-14 July 2025 - Third Test, Lord's
• 23-27 July 2025 - Fourth Test, Emirates Old Trafford
• 31 July-4 August 2025 - Fifth Test, Kia Oval

ENG vs IND | England full squad

Ben Stokes (c), Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes.