India, Sept. 1 -- Cricket may be India's biggest sporting obsession, loved by over a billion people, but it has long faced criticism for lacking global reach, with only a handful of nations competing at the highest level. This limitation has often been seen as a hurdle to the sport's worldwide growth. In recent years, however, the game's authorities have recognised the need to expand its footprint by bringing in more teams and making cricket accessible across new regions. The rise of the T20 format has been central to this push, offering a shorter, more engaging version that has helped more countries embrace the game, a trend reflected in the scale and diversity of recent major tournaments.

Eight teams will battle for the coveted title a...