Top 5 players to watch out for in T20 World Cup 2022

Suryakumar and Kohli [PC: Associated Press]

That moment has almost arrived! We are just a week away from the biggest summer festival in Australia. Yes, I am talking about the T20 World Cup 2022. The qualifying round will begin from next week and there is a great buzz this time around.

With so many talented players participating at this year's mega event, let us take a look at the top 5 players who are expected to perform well at the World Cup.

5) Mohammad Rizwan

We are short of superlatives to express Mohammad Rizwan. Once known as an average player in T20 format, Rizwan's rise in the shortest format is nothing short of a miracle. It is fair to say that you will struggle to find the more consistent batter in T20I cricket than Rizwan at the moment. 

His ability to churn out runs at the top will be crucial for Pakistan's chances at this year's World Cup. If Rizwan does well, then automatically Pakistan's chances will increase. At the 2021 T20 World Cup, Rizwan struck 281 runs, at an average of 70, with 3 half-centuries to his name. All eyes will be on him when Pakistan take on India in their tournament opener.

4) Tim David

Tim David has had an interesting journey so far. Playing for Singapore, the world took notice of his power-hitting abilities and he started to get more and more attention. The explosive batter got more involved in franchise leagues and this is where he really got the opportunity to shine.

Playing for the likes of Lancashire, Surrey, Mumbai Indians, Multan Sultans, David showcased his real talent and the Australian team management took a gamble on him and included him in their World Cup squad. The 26-year-old proved the selectors right with some power-packed performance against India in the recently concluded T20I series. His presence in the middle order will give the Aussies loads of confidence.

3) Wanindu Hasaranga

The wily spinner is arguably Sri Lanka's best bet at the moment. He shone at the 2021 T20 World Cup by picking up 16 wickets, and was also the Player of the Tournament in the recently concluded Asia Cup.

The 25-year-old will surely flourish on Australia's larger grounds, and expect Hasaranga to shine once again at the biggest stage of them all.

2) Jos Buttler

Simple equation - If England are to win this World Cup, Jos Buttler has to fire at the top of the order. Things have changed for him over the last year or so. Eoin Morgan has retired and Buttler is set to lead the Three Lions at the mega event. 

With the likes of Bairstow and Roy not in the England squad, the onus will be on Buttler to fire all guns blazing. The wicket-keeper batter has had a terrific IPL, wherein he smashed all records, so expect him to make the mockery of the bowling attack, come the World Cup.

1) Suryakumar Yadav

Yes, you guessed it right. How can you exclude Suryakumar Yadav from the list. Arguably India's best white-ball player at the moment, SKY has had a meteoric rise at the international level. Without him, you cannot think of winning the World Cup - As simple as that. 

The 32-year-old is definition of consistency and the numbers speaks for it. In 23 T20I matches this year, SKY has amassed 801 runs, at an average of 40, but with an astonishing strike-rate of 184. So watch out for Surya, he can be India's trump card.

Also Read: Suryakumar Yadav talks about his T20 World Cup preparations