The T20 World Cup and upsets are synonymous with each other, as we have witnessed many times when big teams have been eliminated from the group stages. There have been various editions of the T20 World Cup where big teams failed to advance.
Recently, in the ongoing T20 World Cup, we have seen incidents where four test-playing teams failed to qualify for the Super Eight stage. Since the tournament is fickle, we expect results like this. But if it happens to some major teams, it comes as a shock. Let’s take a look at three times when top teams were eliminated from the group stage without making any impact in this mega event.
T20 World Cup 2024
Pakistan , Sri Lanka , New Zealand
Three test-playing nations, rightly said to be three top-quality teams known for producing quality batters and lethal bowlers. Pakistan, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka, have fallen short of qualifying for the Super Eight stage this time. All three teams faced shocking defeats in their respective groups.
On one hand, Pakistan struggled in Group A, losing two games, first against tournament debutants USA and then against India. By which knocked them out for the first time in 10 years of tournament history. Whereas New Zealand also had a tough outing in Group C.
As they lost the games against giant killers Afghanistan and then the West Indies. Leading to their elimination from the T20 World Cup. Also, 2014 T20 World Cup winners Sri Lanka were dethroned in Group D, losing to mighty South Africa and then Bangladesh. It came as a shock as, for the first time, three test-playing nations. Also Ireland are not advancing to the Super Eight stage.
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T20 World Cup 2021
India , South Africa
India and South Africa have both faced similar situations in recent years. They perform well in the group stages but have suffered defeats in the knockout stages at ICC events. However, in the 2021 T20 World Cup edition, both teams were knocked out in the group stages and failed to qualify for the latter rounds.
India, the favorites, suffered a famous defeat against arch-rivals Pakistan, where the Tigers completely dominated and registered a 10-wicket victory. This defeat was Pakistan’s first and only win over India in a T20 World Cup match. India also lost to the Black Caps (New Zealand), which became the final blow despite winning their other three games. These two consecutive losses proved decisive as they led to India’s elimination from the group stages.
Similarly, South Africa faced a different fate as they played well overall but their first game against Australia proved to be critical. Getting all out for a low score of 118 runs affected their run rate, and despite registering four wins, the team was knocked out in the group stages.
T20 World Cup 2014
Australia , England
The two-time T20 World Cup champions, England, suffered a major setback when they were knocked out of the 2014 T20 World Cup. First, they lost to the Netherlands, and then defeats to South Africa and New Zealand sealed England’s fate.
Also, Australia, known for dominating major tournaments, also had a disappointing outing. They lost to India, the West Indies, and then Pakistan, killing them from advancing to the knockout stages, which is the unknown territory for them.
