Will 2024 be the year when India finally cross the finish line?
It has been 10 years since India last lifted a world title. They were the favourites to get their hands on a major trophy when Rohit Sharma's team stormed into the final of the ODI World Cup at home. But against serial champions Australia, all their plans fell flat during the final in Ahmedabad.
By many counts, it was India's best chance to win a World Cup as they had a near-perfect and in-form squad, and were playing at home.
The Indian players will take a long time to recover from the pain of that defeat to Australia. But the world moves on, and they will get another shot at glory.
The cricket cycle now is such that there is a world event almost every year, be it 50-over World Cup, T20 World Cup, Champions Trophy or World Test Championship.
In 2024, teams will fight it out for the 20-over title in the Caribbean and US. The tournament will have a new format.
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Australia's players celebrate after their six-wicket win over India in the World Cup final match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on November 19, 2023. AFP -
Australia's David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith celebrate with the trophy. Reuters -
Australia players celebrate at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Getty Images -
Australia captain Pat Cummins poses with the trophy . AFP -
Australia players celebrate after winning the World Cup. Reuters -
India's Virat Kohli walks past the World Cup trophy. Getty Images -
Australia's Glenn Maxwell and Marnus Labuschagne celebrate after secureing victory. Reuters -
A dejected Virat Kohli after India's defeat. Getty Images -
Travis Head of Australia celebrates his century. Getty Images -
Australia's Marnus Labuschagne finished unbeaten on 58. AFP -
Australia's Marnus Labuschagne, left, hugs Travis Head as latter celebrates his century. AP -
India's Jasprit Bumrah, third left, holds his head in disappointment after a not-out LBW decision against Australia's Marnus Labuschagne was upheld by the third umpire. AP -
Australia's Travis Head cracked 137 runs off 120 balls, including 15 fours and four sixes. AP -
India's Jasprit Bumrah, right, celebrates with teammate Virat Kohli after taking the wicket of Australia's Steve Smith. AFP -
India's Mohammed Shami celebrates the dismissal of Australia's David Warner, right, caught by Virat Kohli at slip. AP -
Australia's Mitchell Starc celebrates with teammate Steve Smith after taking the wicket of India's KL Rahul. AFP -
India's Virat Kohli walks back to the pavilion after his dismissal. AFP -
India's KL Rahul plays a shot on his way to a score of 66. AFP -
Australia's Josh Hazlewood celebrates after taking the wicket of India's Ravindra Jadeja, caught by Josh Inglis. Reuters -
India's KL Rahul celebrates after reaching his half century. Reuters -
Australia's captain Pat Cummins celebrates after taking the wicket of India's Virat Kohli, left. AP -
Australia's Adam Zampa takes the catch to dismiss India's Shubman Gill, off the bowling of Mitchell Starc. Reuters -
Australia's Travis Head takes the catch to dismiss India's Rohit Sharma, off the bowling of Glenn Maxwell. Reuters -
Australia's Travis Head celebrates with teammate Mitchell Marsh after taking the catch to dismiss India's captain Rohit Sharma. AFP
For the first time, 20 teams will participate in the event, divided into four groups of five. The top two teams from each group will move to a Super Eight phase, where they will be split into two groups of four. The top two from those groups will then qualify for the semi-finals, followed by the final.
Apart from the World Cup, India have major Test series in 2024 against England and Australia.
This could also be the year when we see the end of the journey for some of the greats of Indian cricket, with both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli likely to make a call on their future.
Below is the complete cricket schedule for India in 2024.
January
India in South Africa
January 3 – Second Test, Cape Town (12:30pm UAE time)
Afghanistan in India
January 11 – First T20, Mohali (5:30pm)
January 14 – Second T20, Gwalior (5:30pm)
January 17 – Third T20, Bengaluru (5:30pm)
England in India
January 25 – First Test, Hyderabad (8am)
February
England in India
February 2 – Second Test, Visakhapatnam (8am)
February 15 – Third Test, Rajkot (8am)
February 23 – Fourth Test, Ranchi (8am)
March
England in India
March 7 – Fifth Test, Dharamsala (8am)
Indian Premier League – March 22 to May
June
T20 World Cup in US and West Indies: June 4-30
July-August
India in Sri Lanka: 3 ODIs and 3 T20s
September-October
Bangladesh in India: 2 Tests and 3 T20s
October-November
New Zealand in India: 3 Tests
November-January
India in Australia: 5 Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy
