The 2022 T20 World Cup is now less than a month away, and anticipation is building. This year’s biannual event will be held in Australia, making for an exciting tournament. The competition will include 16 teams and will be contested in two stages: the First Round (qualifying round) and the Super 12s. While eight teams have officially qualified for the Super 12s, the final four will be determined following the first round. The top two teams in each of the two groups in the qualification phase will advance to the next round of the competition, while the remaining four will be eliminated.
The eight teams who have already qualified for the Super 12s have been divided into groups of two as well- Group 1 and Group 2. While Australia, New Zealand, England, and Afghanistan are placed in Group 1; India, Bangladesh, South Africa, and Pakistan make Group 2.
With the tournament nearing its start, teams have also started announcing their squads for the eighth edition of the Men’s T20 World Cup. Defending champions Australia, England, South, and the Netherlands have announced their squads so far. For the latest and more in-depth analysis of the upcoming tournament, you can check 10CRIC’s opinion on what to expect from ICC cricket world cup 2022 and more.
With that said, here are some of the top players you need to watch out for in the upcoming T20 Cricket World Cup 2022.
Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav, India’s “Mike Hussey,” has a lot to offer the Indian squad and world cricket. Sadly, he was recruited into the national team at the age of 30, but that doesn’t diminish his abilities in any way. He has been outstanding in the IPL for the previous three to four years. Every season, he has regularly scored 400 to 500 runs. Surya is also supported by Indian skipper Rohit Sharma. SKY was selected for the World Cup team in 2021, although he only saw brief action against inferior opposition.
His moment has arrived to shine, and he has everything it takes to succeed. He has won important games for the Mumbai Indians, and now it is time for him to do the same for Team India. Surya can play 360 degrees, has a great cover drive, and can handle the short ball effectively.
Shaheen Shah
Without a question, Shaheen Shah Afridi is the finest white-ball bowler right now. He is from the same batch as Shubman Gill and Prithvi Shaw, who competed in the 2018 U-19 World Cup in Australia. When bowlers like Mohammad Amir and Hasan Ali were struggling, Afridi was promoted to the national squad.
Afridi has taken the cricket world by storm ever since. His performance against India in the most recent ICC T20 World Cup game is sufficient to demonstrate his worth. His in-swinging deliveries shook the Indian top-order. He rendered KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma powerless. Shaheen bowls at 145 click regularly, which makes him more lethal.
Wanindu Hasaranga
In the IPL, Wanindu Hasaranga has been the talk of the town. Initially, the RCB administration was chastised for paying 10.75 crores on Wanindu during the IPL 2022 Mega Auction. But, with each ball he has bowled, Hasaranga has demonstrated that the price tag has been appropriately applied to him. Hasaranga has a decent incorrect one. It’s tough to tell the difference between his regular ball and the googly. He is difficult to choose. He also has a flipper delivery method.
He also attempts to beat the batsman in the air at times. The ICC has given him a good rating. Hasaranga is the face of change for Sri Lanka’s failing squad. It is a team that was struggling when icons like Sanga and Mahela left, but it appears like they are on the cusp of a comeback.
Liam Livingstone
Liam Livingstone is a good idea for all young players because he is a complete bundle for the shortest format of the game. Livingstone works well with others. As a finisher, he may bat up the order of play. He can bowl off-spin to left-handed batters and leg-spin to right-handed batters. His fielding abilities are also superb. Liam Livingstone is the best freelance cricketer in the world in the shorter format. He’s pushed his six-hitting to a new level.
Livingstone is also an excellent representative of England’s current “slam-bang” style of cricket.
