Gautam Gambhir shares his expectations from the 2024 T20 World Cup

Former India opener Gautam Gambhir wants non-Test-playing nations should be allowed to field three players from Test-playing sides in their playing XI at the 2024 T20 World Cup as well. However, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has recently announced the groups and fixtures of this year’s T20 World Cup. The tournament will take place in the West Indies and the United States from June 1 to June 29 as well.

During a discussion on Star Sports, Gambhir shared: “I definitely want to see a step up but I believe all minnows should be allowed to play three professionals from Test-playing nations if you genuinely want to see a good contest. Whichever players are not in your World Cup squad, if the minnows want, they should be able to take a maximum of three and a minimum of one player, whoever they need, in the playing XI.”

However, the 2024 T20 World Cup will see 20 teams taking part in the group phase. They have been divided into four groups, with the top two teams in each group reaching the Super 8 stage. And, Gautam Gambhir gave the example of overseas players playing in franchise-based tournaments like the Indian Premier League to substantiate his point as well.

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“We see that in franchise cricket, like four overseas players play in the IPL. In the same way, imagine if Canada and USA can pick such players, you will see better competition, and apart from that, individuals can win this tournament. So you would never be complacent and play better cricket,” he explained.

However, Gautam Gambhir also acknowledged that the ICC would have to frame the rules and regulations for such a move as well. 

“However, this will be up to the ICC rules and regulations. I hope when the Netherlands or Ireland come into this competition, they come a better side because the Netherlands impressed a lot in the World Cup. Afghanistan have impressed a lot. So I would want to see such teams doing even better in T20 cricket,” Gautam Gambhir concluded.