 | « Back to article | Print this article |
All-rounders provides their skippers plenty of options in T20 cricket.
Australia will bank on its all-rounders -- Shane Watson, James Faulkner, Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Marsh -- as they chase a maiden World T20 title.
The West Indies may be a weakened side following the absence of Sunil Naraine and Keiron Pollard, but the presence of all-rounders Dwayne Bravo, Andre Russell, Darren Sammy and Carlos Brathwaite certainly makes them a force to reckon with.
Aruneel Sadadekar/Rediff.com lists 10 all-rounders he feels will leave a mark on the World T20 championships.
Shane Watson
He attracted the highest bid (Rs 9.5 crore/Rs 95 million) at the 2016 IPL player auction.
Watson is No 1 in the ICC's T20 rankings for all-rounders.
The broad-shouldered Aussie made a successful return to the national side with a record 124 not out against India in the final T20I in Sydney.
Having hinted about retirement after the World T20, he will use all his experience of playing in Indian conditions to take home the only title that has eluded Australia.
Ravindra Jadeja
His left-arm spin will be key to Dhoni's plans .
Jadeja has proved his big hitting abilities down the order, but his fielding and rocket-throwing arm is what makes him one of the finest all-rounders in the world.
Dwayne Bravo
A proven T20 star.
Despite the presence of Chris Gayle in the team, coach Curtly Ambrose feels Bravo's contribution is vital to the West Indies' fortunes.
The most experienced T20 player in the West Indies squad, with 285 games around the globe, his IPL experience makes him the one to watch out for.
James Faulkner
Faulkner returned from an injury layoff to prove that he is a true finisher in the second T20I against South Africa at Johannesburg.
After returning impressing bowling figures of 3/28 in his four overs, he kept a cool head, scoring 7 from 4 balls, as Australia chased down South Africa's 204 off the last ball.
The left-arm pacer has added an off cutter to his ever growing arsenal of deceptive deliveries.
A death bowling specialist, Faulkner is also acclaimed for his finishing skills with the bat.
He will compete against Mitchell Marsh and Shane Watson for a place in the playing eleven though it is unlikely Steve Smith will leave him out.
Shahid Afridi
Pakistan's all-round star in their 2009 title run.
The highest wicket-taker in T20Is -- 93 scalps from 94 games -- his strike rate in the format is 148.92, the fifth highest in the world and the second among those who have played at least 50 games.
An entertaining hitter, with 66 career sixes and 95 fours, Pakistan always has a chance when Boom Boom Afridi is at the crease.
Corey Anderson
New Zealand's record holder for the quickest 100 in ODIs (36 balls), Anderson is a bonafide star in the T20 format.
He broke Shahid Afridi's long-standing record of a 37-ball 100, achieving the feat off 36 balls before A B de Villiers surpassed him (31 balls).
The Mumbai Indians' star player in the IPL holds the key for the Kiwis in their campaign to win their maiden World T20 title.
Hardik Pandya
Yuvraj Singh calls him a West Indian because of his on field flair.
The young Indian wants to emulate his hero, the legendary all-rounder Jacques Kallis.
Pandya feels batting is his better suit, but his medium pace bowling was what impressed during the Asia Cup.
Having made his debut in the T20I series in Australia, he has earned Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni's trust.
A complete T20 package, his agility in the field compliments his lower order hitting and military pace bowling.
The 2016 World T20 is expected to be the 36 year old's farewell tournament.
Shakib al-Hasan
The best-known cricketer Bangladesh has produced, he combines clever left-arm spin with big hitting.
His recent form with the bat has been below par, but now that Bangladesh have qualified for the main section of the World T20, he remains a constant threat with the ball, a talent at home in subcontinental conditions.
Andre Russell
Under the doping scanner, Russell was cleared to play the World T20 at the last minute.
The 27 year old Jamaican is one of the most sought after players on the global T20 circuit and was part of the West Indies' victorious campaign in 2012.
In the game against Pakistan during the 2015 ODI World Cup, he confirmed his all-round talents on the biggest stage by hammering a 13-ball 42 and taking three crucial wickets.
A powerful hitter who generates pace while bowling, his experience of playing the Indian Premier League will stand him in good stead.
Ben Stokes
Having hit the fastest 250 in Test cricket against South Africa, much is expected of Stokes at the World T20.
The 24 year old will be playing his first world tournament for England. He missed out on the 2014 World T20 contest after injuring his hand when he struck the dressing room locker in frustration on being dismissed first ball in the third T20 International in the West Indies.
An explosive batsman who bowls with decent pace, he lacks experience in Indian conditions.