It's looking increasingly likely that the 2021 T20 Cricket World Cup will be moved from India in the light of the suspension of the IPL. With the 2020 tournament having been cancelled, the ICC will be desperate to ensure that this year's competition takes place but a shift to the United Arab Emirates looks the most likely scenario.
India were originally playing host to the seventh edition of the global competition and Virat Kohli's men had been favourites to lift the trophy. The squad will remain competitive but neutral territory may now leave a more open competition than before.
The Front Runners
Many of India's T20 cricketers enjoyed productive returns before the IPL was curtailed. Skipper Kohli, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant were all in the runs while Jasprit Bumrah and Yuzvendra Chahal were among those who shone with ball in hand.
There is no definite news regarding the World Cup at this stage and the competition, which runs from mid-October to mid-November, is still scheduled to be held in India. Based on that assumption, India remain favourites to lift the trophy with cricket betting odds via sbo.net listing Virat Kohli's men at around the 4/1 mark.
Just behind are Australia and the reigning 50 Over World Champions England. Among the tempting outside options are New Zealand and the defending T20 World Champions West Indies.
There's lots of T20 cricket to be played in the lead up to the 2021 World Cup and those betting markets can adjust based on results. A potential switch to the UAE could also affect the odds but Sbo.net will be standing by to provide those updates. Potential new sportsbooks with welcome offers and promotions will also be available for those who want to take their interest a little further.
Taking Advantage
Of the teams lining up at the 2021 T20 World Cup, Pakistan have the greater experience when it comes to playing in the United Arab Emirates. Having been forced to switch their 'home' games, the side has hosted most of the top nations since 2009.
Pakistan's record is exceptionally good, particularly in recent times. Including statistics up to November 2018, Pakistan have won 13 of their last 14 T20 matches here. If anyone is going to claim home advantage from a World Cup in the UAE, it will clearly be Pakistan.
Other subcontinental sides may also enjoy the surfaces. India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh should be comfortable here and most of India's cricketers will have played in the UAE during the 2020 Indian Premier League.
Levelling the Playing Field
T20 cricket remains the most unpredictable form of the game and any match can be decided by one brilliant batting performance or a sudden clutch of wickets. Few of the top sides - India, Pakistan, England, Australia, New Zealand and West Indies can be written off, irrespective of where the tournament is eventually played.
Traditionally, Twenty20 has been all about run scoring and aiming for totals in excess of 200. However, we've seen in recent fixtures, most notably at the IPL, that many surfaces are now much harder from a batting perspective.
We've seen the balance between bat and ball shift more towards the bowling side and, in particular, the spinners have come more into the game. As England found at the 2020 50 Over World Cup, the 'host nation' will have no say in terms of how pitches are prepared but some bowler friendly surfaces may aid India and Pakistan.
The shortest form can always produce some upsets but the potential to switch venue for this year's World Cup adds another twist. All teams will be following the news with interest but the neutral UAE could throw the tournament wide open.
