Canada arrive with new captain, old questions

Canada will enter their second consecutive T20 World Cup with a new captain, appointing 23-year-old Dilpreet Singh Bajwa as leader. The rapid promotion comes barely two years after his international debut and follows the removal of former captain Nicholas Kirton, who lost the role after an illegal substance was discovered in his baggage at Barbados airport earlier this year.

The timing of the appointment has prompted questions, with Cricket Canada continuing to operate under a cloud of scrutiny amid ongoing allegations of governance and corruption.

Drawn against heavyweights such as South Africa and New Zealand, Canada's return to the world stage after a four-month absence from international cricket presents a formidable challenge.

The squad, and what it tells us

Canada Squad: Dilpreet Bajwa (c), Navneet Dhaliwal, Shreyas Movva (wk), Ravinderpal Singh, Yuvraj Samra, Kanwarpal Tathgur, Ajayveer Hundal, Nicholas Kirton, Saad Bin Zafar, Shivam Sharma, Harsh Thaker, Dillon Heyliger, Jaskaran Singh, Kaleem Sana, Ansh Patel

Beyond the captaincy change, Canada's squad selection has drawn scrutiny. The inclusion of 37-year-old Ravinderpal Singh, ahead of consistent performer Pargat Singh, has raised questions. Similarly, the selection of Ajayveer Hundal over promising young left-arm pacer Rishiv Joshi has caused discontent.

At the top of the order, considerable responsibility will fall on new captain Bajwa, likely to partner the experienced Navneet Dhaliwal. The middle order features Harsh Thaker, Nicholas Kirton, and wicketkeeper-batter Shreyas Movva.

With the ball, expectations rest on former captain Saad Bin Zafar's economical left-arm spin. He will be complemented by 23-year-old chinaman Ansh Patel, a former Punjab Kings auction pick. New-ball duties are set for fast bowlers Kaleem Sana and Jaskaran Singh Buttar.

The road to the World Cup

Canada beat Ireland and competed with Pakistan in the 2024 T20 World Cup but have had little to celebrate since. Amidst captaincy churn, Canada lost seven and won only five against top associate nations in recent years. The board also failed to secure a single series against a full member nation.

Many players have benefited from exposure in franchise competitions like GT20 Canada, which has helped shape the squad's confidence and adaptability.

There is evident flair in captain Dilpreet Singh Bajwa's batting, while Nicholas Kirton has emerged as an enterprising presence. Conditions in the subcontinent could narrow the gap between Canada and more fancied opponents.

Who can bend a match in 10 balls

Dillon Heyliger adds an X-factor, offering extra pace and aggressive lower-order hitting that can provide valuable late-innings momentum.

South Africa have shown a tendency to drop the occasional match against lower-ranked opposition, and Canada may view them as their most realistic upset opportunity. Matches in Ahmedabad are expected on high-scoring surfaces.

In such conditions, Canada's varied bowling, particularly the lesser-known mystery spin of Ansh Patel, could present an unfamiliar challenge. If Canada post a competitive total, sustained pressure may be key.

What a good World Cup looks like

Canada will be seeking consistency. A place in the Super Eights would secure qualification for the next edition but remains an ambitious target. With the United States on an upward trajectory and only one team emerging from the Americas qualification pathway, future opportunities for Canada could become increasingly limited. This tournament carries added significance, offering a rare platform to establish themselves on the global stage.