We take a look at five players that are expected to perform well during the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia.
- David Warner (Australia)
Only Pakistan captain Babar Azam scored more runs than Warner at last year’s event and the Australia veteran is generally a much better player when playing on home soil.
Warner hit three half-centuries at last year’s tournament and his 289 runs at an impressive strike rate of almost 150 were among the best for the leading players.
His imperious form was a major reason why the all-conquering Australia side was able to hoist the trophy at Dubai International Stadium.
- Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka)
The Sri Lanka all-rounder has already shown his ability to save his best performances for the big occasion and you would have to think he could dominate for the island nation in Australia.
Hasaranga lit up the 2021 event by claiming the most wickets (16) by any player and backed up that performance by finishing Sri Lanka’s victorious Asia Cup campaign as the Player of the Tournament.
The bigger grounds in Australia are sure to suit the 25-year-old and it’s almost certain the star spinner will be among the leading wicket-takers again this year.
- Jos Buttler (England)
While the England captain is currently battling an ongoing calf injury, we expect him to recover in time to spearhead the assault for the 2010 winners.
Over the last 12 months, there has arguably been no one in the world in better form than Buttler, with the 32-year-old the only player to score a century at last year’s event in the UAE and Oman.
Buttler hit a brilliant unbeaten 101* against Sri Lanka in Sharjah and looked to be in even better touch during this year’s edition of the IPL when he reached triple figures on four occasions and scored a massive 863 runs for Rajasthan Royals.
His efforts during the home series against India and South Africa in July weren’t quite up to his lofty standards, but Buttler is sure to bounce back to his best in Australia.
- Suryakumar Yadav (India)
The emergence of Suryakumar Yadav in 2022 has been amazing, with the in-form right-hander now arguably the most important player in Rohit Sharma’s dominant side.
Yadav only managed to make four appearances for India at last year’s edition of the T20 World Cup and his paltry return of 42 runs from three knocks barely ruffled any feathers in world cricketing circles.
But since then the 32-year-old has been a model of consistency and has now found himself rated as the No.2 T20I batter in the world on the latest rankings list.
- Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan)
You will struggle to find a more consistent T20I batter than the experienced Pakistan opener and it should come as no surprise to see he is now rated as the No.1 T20I batter in the world.
Rizwan’s stability at the top of the order will be pivotal to Pakistan’s chances of claiming the title in Australia and the 30-year-old will be out to replicate the excellent efforts he produced with the bat at last year’s event.
At the 2021 T20 World Cup, Rizwan hit three half-centuries and a total of 281 runs at an average of 70, with team-mate Babar Azam and Australia’s David Warner the only players to score more heavily than the right-hander for the tournament. (ICC)
