Nasser Hussain credits IPL for helping England for T20 World Cup 2024

England are currently gearing up for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and USA. Former England captain Nasser Hussain has highlighted the huge role that the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 played in helping the team prepare for the marquee event.

With a recent 2-0 series win against Pakistan under their belt, the Jos Buttler-led side will look to carry their red-hot form into the tournament.

The Three Lions squad for the T20 World Cup 2024 features eight players who were part of the IPL 2024, exposing them to high-intensity matches and pressure situations. Hussain believes this experience has been invaluable in getting the team ready for the challenges that lie ahead.

“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.

The former England skipper emphasised the significance of handling pressure situations, a skill the IPL has sharpened in the English players. With matches played in front of massive crowds, the tournament provided the perfect simulation for the World Cup's pressure.

Also read: Jos Buttler heaps praises on Jofra Archer and Mark Wood post victory in 4th T20I against Pakistan

They’ve just got to be better than they were at that 50-over World Cup: Nasser Hussain

Hussain also cautioned the side about the need for an emergency plan if things go south, drawing comparisons to their poor performance in the ODI World Cup 2023. 

“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.

Also read: England obliterate Pakistan to cruise through while chasing, come out on top to clinch series

Buttler and Co. will fly straight to the West Indies and USA and face Scotland in their first group league fixture on June 4. They are placed in the same group as arch-rivals Australia and will square off against each other on June 8.