T20 WC: Part 2 – Players who could make the most difference

In Part-1 of our feature for the T20 World Cup, we saw the top 5 youngsters to look out for at the grand event. In Part 2 of our feature, we shall have a look at a few players across the tournament who could be vital in the outcome of their team’s journey through the tournament and have a massive impact on the tournament itself:

Sunil Narine (West Indies)

After Narine’s performances in the Champions League for Trinidad and Tobago last year, he got picked by the Kolkata Knight Riders to play in the IPL. Narine had an exceptional IPL where he won the Man of the Tournament following which, he has only gotten better and had a brilliant impact on the team and the results went their way. The expectations on his shoulders are high and he is most likely to deliver, given that conditions in Sri Lanka are quite similar to those in India – where he thrived in during the IPL.

David Warner (Australia)

Australia will hope that their top-order fires and does so consistently. David Warner is a very vital element in the top order. If Warner gets going, he could prove to be the difference of a chunk of runs between the teams in quick time. Warner’s ability to hit the ball out of the park along with his aggressive and energetic deportment makes him an asset to any team. Apart from his batting, he is an absolute prodigy on the field: which makes his presence so imperative in the team. If David Warner can provide a solid start with opening-partner Shane Watson, together, they will be the difference between a win and a loss.

Dale Steyn (South Africa)

There is one word to describe Dale Steyn – sensational. In the warm-up game against New Zealand, he plucked 3 wickets in the last over of the game, thus taking his team to victory. His ability to get his team off to a good start with quick breakthroughs and his bowling at the death will greatly affect the Proteas’ success rate.

Virat Kohli (India)

Kohli has been in staggering form in the past year, in all formats of the game. He has been a vital cog in India’s successes over the past year and has only gotten better. A busy player, Kohli’s ability to score and score quick runs – through quick singles or boundaries – makes him important in that middle order. Along with his ability to score, his ability to do so on a consistent basis is what makes him such an asset to the team. Kohli, no doubt will be an important feature in the Indian team, but to what extent his impact will be felt, will be seen over the tournament.

Stuart Broad (England)

The English captain will have an important role to play in the World T20; that of leading his troops along with his usual bowling duties. Broad could have a high impact by leading from the front and thus, leading by example. He will have to be at the top of his game and strike early for England along with Anderson and Finn if England are to get anywhere in the tournament. His form will be vital in England’s campaign of defending the crown.

Saeed Ajmal (Pakistan)

Saeed Ajmal has been the most successful bowler over the past year, with the most number of wickets across all formats of the game. He also is the highest wicket-taker in T20s over the past year. Pakistan will gain much confidence from his recent outings, which have had a major impact on the outcome of a game. Ajmal’s variety and the inability of batsmen to read him will pose a major threat to the opposition, which Pakistan will like to capitalize on.

Brendon McCullum (New Zealand)

New Zealand will have to build partnerships and not lose cheap wickets, if they are to score big, and Brendon McCullum’s role in pursuit of that will be important. In the absence of a powerhouse like Jesse Ryder, the other veterans like Taylor and McCullum will have to shoulder extra responsibility to see the team through.

Chris Gayle (West Indies)

Chris Gayle is a player that any team would include in their playing XI at any given time of the day. He is one of those players with an impeccable impact on the proceedings; so-much-so that he can change the course and outcome of a game single-handedly. After making his comeback for the West Indies, he has been instrumental in their performances thus far; the one game that Gayle failed, the team collapsed like a pack of cards – which is evidence of his importance in the team.