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The Cricket T20 World Cup kicks off, and as a cricket fan, I wanted to share my selections of cricketers featuring in the tournament that I am looking forward to watching. Cricket as a sport is not everybody’s cup of tea. It can last for days and has many rules and odd terminology. It is a game that is strategically complex, with the tactics changing all the time. Twenty-over matches have proven successful in drawing new audiences and growing the sport. This format is known as ‘T20’, and the World Cup tournament starts on the 1st of June in the USA, who, along with the Caribbean region, are hosting the tournament. These are the players to look out for.
Suryakumar Yadav
If you think Indian cricket is all about Virat Kohli, you need to look out for Suryakumar Yadav. The man known as SKY has a high batting IQ that is a joy to watch, featuring graceful strokes and aggressive, powerful blows out of the ground. With a strike rate of 171.55 and an average of 45.55, he often comes in low in the middle order, playing the role of a finisher, but he can also accelerate the score when needed. Yadav is versatile, able to play on both the off and leg sides with an array of shots that make him difficult to bowl to. He is renowned for his scoop shots and other unconventional strokes, earning him the nickname Mr 360.
Travis Head
The Australian all-format superstar embodies typical Aussie aggression but also has incredible concentration, discipline, and focus. He offers a slow bowling option and can pick up the odd over in a tournament. With a strike rate of just over 147 in T20s, Head is another batsman who becomes very hard to bowl to once he gets going. He scored 137 in the CWC final and 163 in the WTC final. Expect some big scores and crucial innings from him during the tournament.
Adil Rashid
The England leg break bowler is currently the number one ranked T20I bowler and aims to be one of the top wicket-takers in the tournament. He took many wickets when England toured the Caribbean late last year and will thrive on the spin-friendly wickets. His googly is difficult to pick and is a deadly weapon in his armoury.
Nicholas Pooran
The prodigious Trinidadian left-hander has a 25.66 batting average, which may not seem impressive, but he enters this tournament after a strong IPL season and consistent performances for his international team. He can bat at the top of the order or serve as a finisher. Pooran tends to hit more sixes than fours when he is in form.
Finn Allen
The New Zealander is a right-handed top-order batsman known for his big hitting. He has a lot of power and likes to clear the rope. When he gets going, he sees the ball well and is relentless, as indicated by his strike rate of 163.6. He will enjoy playing on smaller grounds and has the potential to help New Zealand reach the final four.
Babar Azam
The Pakistani captain is a genuine star of the game. He has a range of dashing shots off the front and back foot but can also deliver the power hitting that T20 cricket is known for. With an incredible T20I average of 41.05 and three T20I centuries, he is adored in his homeland and creates a frenzy whenever he walks out to bat. He will need to bring his best game when Pakistan faces India, looking to perform against their Asian rivals.
Rashid Khan
The Afghan leg spinner is a legend not only in his country but also in T20 cricket worldwide. A real attacking bowler, he can be almost impossible to get away, thanks to his control of pace and flight. His biggest weapon is his deception, with a googly that is hard to pick and a faster ball that makes him a threat. With an economy rate of 6.07 and a strike rate of 14.27, Khan is set to take many wickets in these conditions.
Shakib Al Hasan
The Bangladesh captain is the ultimate talisman, being one of the best cricketers of the modern era and currently the top-ranked T20 all-rounder. Shakib has immense experience and will lead his team with the ball, boasting an economy rate of 6.7 and a batting average of 121.35. Another player who can move up the batting order to impact the game, his bowling will be his biggest weapon in Caribbean conditions.
Aiden Markram
The South African leader is a devastating batsman who has always had huge potential but has found his white-ball rhythm in the last two years. Surrounded by reliable and stylish players, Markram has found a new lease on life to play his natural, fluent, big-hitting game without always having to anchor the team. With an impressive strike rate of 150.67 and an average of 38.55, he also offers spin coming around-the-wicket as a right-arm bowling option and keeps it very tight in the middle overs.
Bas de Leede
The young Dutchman is an all-rounder to watch out for. Known for taking wickets at key moments and bowling great variations, including a good yorker, he is effective at the death or in the middle overs. He showcased his talent in the ODI WC qualifiers and the Cricket World Cup, where he starred in the Netherlands’ defeat of South Africa. De Leede is very talented with the bat and can deliver power hitting, aiming to clear the rope on smaller grounds and give the Netherlands hope of causing an upset.
So what do you think of these players? Tell us the players we missed out or the ones you are looking forward to watching in the comments below.
