T20 World Cup 2016: 5 Batsmen who can make a difference
Joel Fernandes
Boundaries and sixes, they define the modern day cricket and this is what T20 is all about. In this shorter and quicker version of the game, the men with an ability to score quickly and smash boundaries are the ones to prevail. Here I bring to you 5 batsmen who might make a big impact and prove to be match-winners to their respective teams in this version of the T20 World Cup, starting on 8th March.
A B De Villiers
He may not be in the top 10 ICC T20 batsmen’s rankings, but he still is the most versatile batsman in modern day cricket. He has the ability to hit any ball to the boundary and he is surely an impact player. He has a vast experience playing in India and in IPL and he is a proven performer. He might have a strike rate of 128.8,but the whole of cricketing fraternity knows he is capable of more than that. Coming off a good series against England, he will be all geared up for the World Cup.
Virat Kohli
This man has been one of the most successful and proven batsman in recent times. He had a brilliant tour of Australia scoring heaps of runs there and the World Cup being held in India, he is sure to win matches for his team. Kohli is presently placed second in the Rankings and he is sure to do justice to that. He has an average of 50.62 and a strike rate of 136.51 in t20’s which proves his consistency. Kohli will surely be the one to carry the Indian batting line up during difficult situations and steer them to safety.
Kane Williamson
The man who scored a ton on debut in India, Kane Williamson has been in terrific form this season. With the retirement of Brendon McCullum the captaincy too has come to him. He has an average of 36.69 and a strike rate of 127.68 in t20I’s. He is currently placed at sixth place in the rankings. Kane Williamson will be the one around whom the other batsman would build the innings for the kiwis. He will be anchoring the innings and playing the big shots when needed. All in all he is a man who is sure to do a good job this World T20.
Chris Gayle
Christopher Henry Gayle, a man very well known to the Indian crowd. Come this World Cup, he will be a one who will be watched by every cricketing fan. Having a huge fan following in India, the crowds will definitely be cheering for him. And rightly so, he is the most destructive batsman in T20 cricket all around the globe. When Gayle gets going, the team automatically cruises towards victory. Gayle is placed at seventh spot in the rankings and has an average of 35.15 and strike rate of 142.59. These are impressive numbers for a T20 batsman. Come March 8th, all eyes will be on this man.
Alex Hales
This attacking opener is the man to watch out for among the English batsmen. He is currently placed third in the ICC Rankings, which only justifies the form he has been in. He has an average of 33.94 and strike rate of 135.12 in t20I’s. He will be the man England will be looking at, to get them off to a flying start and he is very capable of that. He had a good series against South Africa and will be looking forward to carrying the form to the T20 World Cup.
So these are the 5 batsmen who I think will make an impact on this world cup. The bowling teams will be all set with their set of tactics against them. Who turns out to overcome who’s plans, only time will tell.
