Australia’s T20I skipper, Mitchell Marsh, might be ruled out of the T20 World Cup 2024. The all-rounder, who’s part of the Delhi Capitals, has been ruled out of the IPL 2024 for an unspecified time due to a hamstring injury. Marsh has since returned home and will be treated for the tear under the supervision of Cricket Australia.
Mitchell Marsh out of the T20 World Cup 2024?
The worrisome news for Marsh and Australia is that a hamstring injury could take from 3 weeks to 12 weeks to recover. Depending on the severity of the injury, we could see the all-rounder return to India in early May, or he’ll miss the remainder of IPL 2024 and the entire T20 World Cup. If he has a Grade I or II tear, he might return to the sport in about 3 to 8 weeks, while a Grade III tear could rule him out for 3 months.
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If not Marsh, then who?
Pat Cummins‘ name will be at the top of the list if Cricket Australia indeed needs to replace Mitchell Marsh. Despite experts and fans not wowing over his leadership skills, his resume is unparalleled. He won the Ashes, the World Test Championship, and the ODI World Cup as a skipper, and that’s just in the past year.
Despite not having a proven record as a T20 player or captain, the Sunrisers Hyderabad have decided to hand him the leadership based on his credentials. That too, over someone like Aiden Markram, who’s given the franchise two back-to-back SA20 titles.
He’s shown consistent improvement as a limited-overs bowler. He came good for the Aussies in the ODI World Cup and is now replicating the same in the IPL 2024.
If Marsh misses out, the Australian campaign may take a massive hit. The all-rounder has been one of their best batters across formats and played a crucial role in their lone T20 World Cup title win in 2021. His batting alone is worth enough, but his handy medium pace alongside his incredible fielding makes him one of the best players in the format.
However, while Australia might miss Marsh the batter, his services as captain may not be required with Pat Cummins ready and waiting in the wings.