Chris Gayle poses with dignitaries during the launch of the second edition of UKC.

Mohammad Abdullah, Staff Reporter

Former West Indies swashbuckling batsman Chris Gayle predicted Australia as the favorites to win the T20 World Cup 2022.

 A total of 16 teams will battle it out for the top honours at the World Cup, which gets under way on Oct.16, 2022.

“I think Australia are the favourites to win the title l. It will be very difficult to beat them in their home country.

“They are a very strong team and the fact that they are playing at their home ground makes them more dangerous,” said Gayle, who was speaking on the side lines of the launch of the second season of the Ultimate Kricket Challenge.

The first edition of the tourney was held in the UK and the second has been shifted to the UAE. The tournament will be played in Abu Dhabi in December. The dates will be declared later.

It is a very unique cricketing event which is played in a different format. Each side play 15 balls in one and both the teams play two innings each.

Two runs are deducted on the dismissal. Few more ruled have been tweaked to make it more enthralling and interesting.

Apart from Gayle, players like Eoin Morgans of England and Harbhajan Singh of India are also expected to grace the event.

Gayle also tipped India, England and West Indies as the top contenders. Two time Twenty20 champions West Indies will paly in the preliminary round to join the eight teams in the Round of 12.

 Eight teams will battle it out in the two groups of four each to qualify for the Round of 12. The top two teams from each group will advance to the next stage.

Commenting on the West Indies downfall from being champions to playing in the qualifiers, Gayle said they are a new team in making.

“It is a young team and they are going through the transition. It is a team in making. A lot of veteran players like Andre Russell, Kieron PollardandDwayne Bravo are not there which will affect the West Indies chances but we have a bunch of very talented youngster who can beat any team on a given day.

“Again it depends on many things such as adapting to the conditions and making the best use of the opportunities. I hope the West Indies players will do well in Australia,” added Gayle.