T20 World Cup 2024: Gautam Gambhir points at group of death, predicts tough time for South Africa

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T20 World Cup 2024: Former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir gave his view on the T20 World Cup 2024 fixtures and the four groups which have five teams each in them.

The ICC released the T20 World Cup fixtures on Friday. The tournament will start with the USA vs Canada match on June 1 in Dallas, and the final will be played in Barbados on June 29.

India have been placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, USA, Canada and Ireland. The Men in Blue will kick off their campaign against Ireland in New York on June 5.

Gambhir put his focus on Group D, calling at the 'Group of Death'. The group consists of South Africa, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Netherlands and Nepal. Gambhir said South Africa will be under pressure but should at least qualify for the Super 8.

"It seems like but who knows South Africa might survive that death this time. I hope they do that because you want to see good teams in the Super 8. You want to see a competition where you are challenged," Gautam Gambhir told Star Sports.

"The group you have mentioned, it's not going to be easy for South Africa because you have limited opportunity to make a comeback in the T20 format. If someone puts you under pressure, you don't have time to make a comeback. I hope South Africa play good cricket and reach the Super 8 at least."

Further, Gambhir expressed excitement that West Indies will be part of the T20 World Cup 2024. Notably, West Indies, the co-hosts of T20 World Cup 2024 alongside the USA, failed to qualify for the ODI World Cup 2023.

"The good thing is that the West Indies will be a part of this T20 World Cup because we all know how dangerous West Indies are in this format. We want to see players like Andre Russell and Nicholas Pooran when they play on their own grounds.

"The West Indies are actually made for T20 cricket, West Indies as a team, and West Indies as a nation. The way the crowd comes there and enjoys and I hope we get to see that sort of cricket this time in the Caribbean," Gambhir added.

T20 World Cup 2024 groups

• Group A: India, Pakistan, Ireland, Canada, The USA
• Group B: England, Australia, Namibia, Scotland, Oman
• Group C: New Zealand, West Indies, Afghanistan, Uganda, Papua New Guinea
• Group D: South Africa, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Netherlands, Nepal