T20 World Cup 2021 predictions: Winners, leading run-scorer, England’s hopes and dark horses

Leading wicket-taker: Dwayne Bravo. He bowls predominantly at the death and remains hugely skilled with his yorkers and abundance of slower balls.

Player I’m most looking forward to watching…  Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Afghanistan’s belligerent opener is already rapidly breaking into the T20 franchise circuit and leads Afghanistan’s approach to attack in the Powerplay. 

Nick Hoult

Who will qualify for the semis? West Indies, England, India and Pakistan.

Who will win the tournament? India. Hard to look past India on UAE surfaces where they have just played the IPL. Depth, skill, experience, power, pace and variety. They have it all but can they cope with the pressure?

Dark horses: South Africa. No AB De Villiers, no Faf du Plessis but they have a very strong attack with the pace and skill of Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada and Tabraiz Shamzi. Add in Quinton de Kock and David Miller and you have a team capable of a surprise, but slow pitches might be their issue.

Biggest let-downs: Australia. Warner’s form is a major worry. Maxwell is the key but watch them implode, fall out with the coach and then sit back and enjoy England regaining the Ashes. Or wake up, you’re dreaming.

Leading scorer: Jos Buttler. Opens the batting, so has time at the crease, will be fresh after a break and has the carrot of knowing if he dominates the tournament and leads with the bat, it will ensure he replaces Morgan as skipper.