The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 has started in Al Amerat, Oman on October 17 (Sunday), 2021. A total of 16 teams are competing in the tournament with 12 taking part in the second stage, the Super 12.
But wait. Who are some of the key men to watch in the marquee event? Let’s have a look.
KL Rahul
Already talked about as one of the potential successors to Kohli in white-ball cricket, Rahul performed admirably in a dual role as the skipper & batting mainstay for Punjab Kings in the recently concluded IPL. Being one of the few all format batters at the moment, he can shift gears at will.
The world hasn’t seen the best of Rahul yet who is one of the cleanest strikers of a cricket ball in the Indian set-up. With two heavyweights in Rohit & Kohli around him, he might unleash the beast inside him at the biggest stage. Any doubts? Watch his 98* off 42 against CSK while your jaw drops.
David Warner
Since his debut in 2009, few have divided the opinion of the cricketing world like him. Besides captaining his IPL team to the title in 2016, he has been a consistent performer at the top of the order in T20 cricket for many years now.
Equally destructive against pace & spin, his recent fallout with SRH may spur him to galvanize Australia’s chances where he will be their most experienced batter. The starts he provides will largely determine how far & high the kangaroos would jump.
Mohammad Rizwan
Although it’s nearly impossible to hog the limelight away from Pakistan’s crown prince, Babar Azam, this keeper-batter may hold the key to how far Pakistan advances in the main event. Arguably the best behind the stumps against spin right now, he became only the second wicketkeeper-batter to score a hundred in each of the three formats with his masterclass 104 against SA this year. SR of 130 doesn’t look threatening but his ever-improving hard-hitting combined with street smartness may just be the impetus Pakistan need to clinch their second t20 title.
Nicholas Pooran
After enduring a torrid time for PBKS in UAE, his response was “I’m not concerned at all, my cricket is based on confidence and my intent.” You gotta believe these words when coming out of any West Indian batter’s mouth.
Being the deputy now, Pooran will have more responsibility that shows in his pre-tournament promise of playing “smart cricket’ but warning opponents at the same time by reaffirming the fact that six-hitting remains his’ teams primary strength. Coming in at early middle order, Pooran will have the job of playing through the mid overs & finally unshackling his range of big clean hits at the back end.
Liam Livingstone
It’s not easy to garner attention for a newcomer in England’s white-ball set uploaded with giants but the latest white ball wonder is the prototype of the brand of cricket England promotes. He burst onto the int’l scene in July’21 by scoring England’s fastest international century, off 42 balls against Pakistan at Trent Bridge.
He has hit 82 sixes in T20 cricket in 2021, fewer than only New Zealand’s Glenn Phillips, and another 27 in the Hundred where he was adjudged the most valuable player. If England can afford to miss someone of the pedigree of Ben stokes, it’s because of the promise Livingstone gives them in world T20.
