Nasser Hussain credits IPL for setting up England for the T20 World Cup 2024

Former England captain Nasser Hussain has credited the Indian Premier League 2024 for setting up their team for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. Notably, eight of the England’s 15-member squad was part of the IPL as they played some high voltage clashes throughout the tournament.

However, they were all called back just ahead of the playoffs to prepare for the series against Pakistan. The Jos Buttler-led side went on to seal the series by 2-0 as they won the fourth T20I by seven wickets on Thursday, May 31. Following, England’s win, Hussain credited IPL for exposing the side to a lot of big games in the lead up to the World Cup by making them play under pressure in front of big crowds.

“They’re a very balanced side, they’ve played in a lot of big games. We don’t talk enough about the IPL and how that obviously sets you up as a cricketer but also sets you up in big games. And under pressure and big crowds and that’s what you need going into a World Cup. So they’ve done all that they could do,” said Hussain on Sky Sports.

Further speaking ahead, the former England captain said that the team is in a good space heading into the tournament and will need to have a Plan B if they don’t start well like the ODI World Cup 2023.

England need to have a Plan B: Hussain

“They’ve just got to be better than they were at that 50-over World Cup. They went into that with a lot of hope and it didn’t start well and they didn’t react well. So they need to have a Plan B. If we don’t start well, if things don’t go well, how do we react? How do we react to slower pitches? How do we react when better sides come up against us? But under Buttler and what they’ve got in this side they’re in a real good place. They just got to go and do it,” he added.

Meanwhile, after wrapping up their preparations with a 2-0 series win over Pakistan, England will straight away start their campaign in the T20 World Cup with a game against Scotland on June 4. The defending champions are placed in Group B alongside Oman, Namibia, Scotland and Australia.