ICC T20 World Cup: Stats and Trivia

A long-haired captain wore a smile while donning his sleeveless, blue shirt and stepped forward to collect the inaugural World T20 trophy. Nine years down the line that seems like only yesterday when MS Dhoni became the first international skipper to lift the coveted cup. And five editions later, the ICC World T20 2016 will be hosted by Dhoni’s own – and many million cricket lovers’ – country.So just a handful of days before the Super 10 round of the event kicks off, glancing at surprising – and predictably so – statistics only multiplies the thrill of cricket enthusiasts.Here are seven of the most interesting one of them:

#1 Two great teams, one fine battle

India and New Zealand met once in the first edition of the T20 World Cup

India and New Zealand have clashed only once in all five tournaments thus far, and that was in the very first edition when South Africa were the hosts. The Wanderers in Johannesburg witnessed a tense contest where the Black Caps edged past India by 10 runs in a high-scoring thriller.

In fact, that was the last occasion when they met in any global competition.

Prior to that, their previous encounter in either a biennial or quadrennial event was in the same land as the first World T20 – but in Centurion – during the ICC World Cup in 2003. India have played all other teams inside the top eight at least twice in all competitions combined.

#2 One clash too many

India have a healthy 4-1 advantage over South Africa in the T20 World Cup

While what we read above was quite astonishing, what is equally so is also the fact that the Men in Blue have faced South Africa in each of the five World T20 editions, with India holding a healthy 4-1 advantage. The most memorable of these clashes remains the semi-final of the last T20 World Cup, where Virat Kohli smoothly anchored a special run chase in Dhaka.

A one-run victory for India at Colombo in 2012 and Suresh Raina’s hundred at Gros Islet in 2010, which made him the first Indian to triple figures in T20 Internationals, also remain memorable moments.

#3 Oh captain, my captain!

Dhoni has led Team India in all the T20 World Cups

Once boasting of a fashionable hair style, he remains the only captain to have led his team in all – he will also captain this time – T20 World Cups. MS Dhoni continues to last as limited overs skipper for India, having spent nearly nine years in the driver’s seat now and is the only surviving captain at least amongst the best eight participating teams this time.

But whether he will be there next time around or not remains gripping for his fans.

When other teams are brought into consideration, Pakistan have already had four different skippers while the 2016 event will see Australia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka appoint their fourth captain for the World Cup, England their third. South Africa and the West Indies have had three captains each.

#4 No final yet!

South Africa and New Zealand have never made it to the final of the World T20

When the same group of teams is talked about, expectedly – considering their World Cup jinx – South Africa and New Zealand have never made it to the final. Though the Kiwis broke that and contested last year’s ODI World Cup final against Australia, they are yet to play a final in this tournament.

Now with the firepower of Brendon McCullum gone, this issue becomes further intriguing. Rather than choke again, the Proteas are hoping the likes of Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir, AB de Villiers and David Miller can help them cross the line.

In comparison, Sri Lanka have reached the most deciders – three out of five – besides making it to four semi-finals, missing out only on the fast tracks of South Africa in 2007. However, the only time that England have qualified for the final four was when they won the trophy – back in 2010 – and New Zealand also found a place there in 2007 only.

#5 Venues more than three, for a change

The HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala

India will become the first host nation to stage the event in at least four venues after in all five earlier times it was held in a maximum of three stadiums. The following is the list:

Country	Venues
South Africa (2007)	Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town
England (2009)	Lord’s, Trent Bridge and The Oval
West Indies (2010)	Bridgetown, Gros Islet and Providence
Sri Lanka (2012)	Colombo (RPS), Hambantota and Pallekele
Bangladesh (2014)	Dhaka and Chittagong
India (2016)	Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Mohali, Nagpur and Dharamsala

#6 Present each time!

Shane Watson is the only Australian player to play in each of the T20 World Cups

Loyalties have been personified when a set of players from certain sides have been present in each of the World T20 tournaments so far. Neither injury nor retirement has come in their way and prevented them from participating in the event.

Here goes the list from the best eight teams (England do not have any player in common, hence the list also includes Bangladesh):

Teams	Players
Australia	Shane Watson
South Africa	AB de Villiers and JP Duminy
India	MS Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh and Rohit Sharma
West Indies	Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo and Denesh Ramdin
Pakistan	Shahid Afridi
Sri Lanka	Lasith Malinga and Tillakaratne Dilshan
New Zealand	Ross Taylor and Nathan McCullum
Bangladesh	Shakib al Hasan, Mashrafe Mortaza, Tamim Iqbal, Mohammad Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim

#7 Switch hits!

Ryan Campbell played for Australia previously

When former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum made his ODI debut against Australia at Sydney in 2002, there was a debutant in the opposition too. A right-handed batsman, Ryan Campbell, who got only one opportunity more in the yellow shirt but has now switched over to Hong Kong, who shall be vying for a berth amongst the top eight teams already present in the Group stages.

Another case is that of the spin-bowling all-rounder Roelof van der Merwe. Previously donning South African colours, lack of opportunities have compelled him to don the orange jersey for his new team Netherlands, who will be one of the eight teams keen to compete with the best in the business.

So here’s wishing well to all nations for the zealously anticipated ICC World T20 2016 on Indian soil – all the best to one and all!