With the start of the T20 World Cup in Australia marking the eighth edition of the high-stakes event, players from across the globe will be looking to make a big name for themselves. With a number of exceptional players in the tournament, competition is expected to be at the highest level. Every world cup has had its own set of heroes, be it the players or, at times, the groundsmen. Making a list of all the quality players on the World Cup T20 stage is a tough assignment. A few players stand out when it comes to the international stage. Our expectations of the following players are sky high owing to their performances for their respective national sides in the current calendar year.
1. Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan)
With seven half centuries in the last 10 innings that he has played, the man from Peshawar, has shown no mercy to the opposition bowlers. Averaging over 50 runs is astronomical for a player who has played around 70 T20 matches. No wonder he still remains the number one T20 international batter in the ICC men’s player rankings. In 2021, Rizwan broke the record for the most runs scored in T20 internationals for a calendar year. Not a bad stat for a player who was never considered a T20 batter, right? Rizwan’s strike rate, though, has been a cause for worry among some fans, but having teammates who can cover up for the lost runs means he can be the man to bat through the innings. It is also to be noted that Rizwan’s heroics are not just with the bat. His wicketkeeping skills are on par with the best out there. The man in the spotlight has peaked at the right time yet again. This time, though, he will be looking to take home the T20 trophy along with him.
2. Surya Kumar Yadav (India)
Ever thought of hitting a six on your international debut ? Well, this man just did that when he was given the opportunity. Fondly called SKY, Surya has been in sensational form ever since he made his debut against England in 2021. Every time he comes to the crease, he raises everyone’s eyebrows as to why such a player took so long to make it to the team. Currently, the fastest player to 1000 runs in T20 internationals, SKY has looked limitless with his performances. With a strike rate of over 170 and an average of around 40, he sure looks like a candidate for the player of the tournament award. He has saved India’s blushes on quite a few occasions in the current season, but a world cup would be something more worthwhile to add to the trophy cabinet. If India’s round-the-park player can continue his good run of form, he will most likely climb to the top of the ICC men’s world T20 batting rankings.
3. Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)
Afghanistan is least expected to make it into the semifinals of the World T20, but spin king Rashid Khan can turn things around for the Afghan army. Rashid Khan’s ability with the ball is beyond doubt. From leg spinners to googlies, he has all the tricks in his bag. Debuting at the age of just seventeen is remarkable, especially with the kind of circumstances he had to go through during his childhood. Since his debut in 2015 against Zimbabwe, he has gone on to pocket 115 wickets in 69 matches in T20 internationals. T20 being a batter’s game, there is no room for bowlers who go for runs. Rashid Khan has been one of the most economical bowlers in the format. Batters have often failed in trying to dispatch him for boundaries. It remains to be seen whether he can perform his magic on Australian pitches, which are more suited to fast bowlers. Yet again, his energy in the field is another parameter that makes him the one to watch out for in this year’s showpiece event.
4. Josh Hazlewood ( Australia)
With a home crowd to cheer you in your run up to the bowling crease, there is limited scope for misfiring, especially if you are the world’s number one ranked T20 bowler. It is certainly a big deal to top a list of quality bowlers dominated by the spin department. At present, Hazlewood is one of only two pace bowlers in the list of top ten bowlers, the rest being spinners. His meteoric rise in the T20 format earned him a whopping 7.75 crore INR in the 2022 mega auction at the Indian Premier League (IPL). Playing in home conditions and on pace-friendly pitches, a player like Hazlewood would come in handy, especially in the death overs.
5. Hardik Pandya (India)
India have been looking for a finisher ever since Mahendra Singh Dhoni last donned the blue jersey. Today, many consider Hardik to be the finisher that could replace the legend. Having cemented his position in the T20 format for quite some time now, Hardik looks in perfect shape before the start of the shortest format of the game. His ability to power the ball over the fence, coupled with his bowling performances, makes him one of the most feared cricketers in the game. The 2016 World Cup match against Bangladesh shows how good a bowler Pandya can be. His last-over heroics are still etched in everyone’s memory. Although the famous one run win is a collective effort, Pandya’s composed bowling at the end needs appreciation. If he can come up with his all-round ability game in and game out, then India might well be in the hunt for a second world T20 trophy.
The World Cup is the biggest platform to showcase what the players are capable of. There are young players who made it into the squad, waiting for an opportunity to make an impact. Veterans will also want to show the world that they still have it in them. With each and every player eyeing global glory, it is unpredictable as to who will come out on top.