The Ashes is probably old news already as we brace ourselves for a week of extraordinary cricket, all coming in the shortest format of the game.
As many as nine teams are set to play with each day of the week having at least one T20 match.
India, South Africa and fair weather
A washed-out first T20I at Dharamsala notwithstanding, the teams head to drier grounds hoping to eke out a result from the remaining two games of the series. Fair weather isn't something that has historically sat well with South Africa. India, though, would be confident that one full game would do the job for them to seal the series. At Mohali or Bangalore that opportunity should come, but if it doesn't, the one section of people who wouldn't mind is MS Dhoni's fan following.
WATCH OUT FOR
Quinton de Kock: Since 2018, South Africa's newly anointed T20I skipper has had a deplorable run in the format. In five matches at the international level, de Kock has made just 86 runs, averaging 17.2 in the process. Even his strike rate isn't very impressive and stands below the 120-mark. The aggressive southpaw will have the arduous task of motivating his men and lead by example by turning around his own form.
Just can't get enough of the Afghans
A second Test win, an inspiring cult hero as skipper and a fairytale historical story about their rise in international cricket make Afghanistan the most exciting of the three teams to play the T20I tri-series in Bangladesh. Having already won their two games and showing Bangladesh that they aren't the only Tigers to do the Naagin dance, Afghanistan have two more fixtures - one each against the other two sides - this week.
WATCH OUT FOR
Najibullah Zadran: He packs a punch as a unit and is the prime example of the fact that the Indian T20 League's player scouts aren't as strong as they ought to be. An exceptional T20I player, Zadran slammed a 30-ball 69 in the first game against Zimbabwe before missing out against Bangladesh. This week he has a chance to go full bounty and remind the scouts of not just his availability, but also his experience and skills.
No Euro Slam, let's play a tri-series instead
The Euro T20 Slam might have been cancelled but the three host nations have decided to put on a skit for the fan base, amounting to the population of Vatican, instead. Netherlands, Scotland and Ireland go head-to-head in a context-less tri-series which will now serve as a filler instead of the Euro T20 Slam and also offer the teams some practice before the World T20 Qualifiers.
WATCH OUT FOR
Calum MacLeod: The Scotland middle-order batsman is an exceptional T20 player and an architect in several memorable Scottish victories. Since 2018, MacLeod has 230 runs in 9 matches at an average of 46 but a strike rate less than 110. If anything, the Scotland anchor will want to work on his strike rate while maintaining consistency.
What to do now? Head to Sportsbet.io to select your picks.
Feature picture courtesy: AFP / Dibyangshu Sarkar
