With the ever-evolving T20 format, the need for players with more than one skill is becoming more essential for teams to succeed in this format. An all-rounder can contribute with both bat and bowl efficiently. It allows the team to play an extra batter and bowling option. They provide the necessary balance that every team desires and are a luxury, especially in the high-octane format of T20s.
The all-rounders will be in demand when the top 12 teams of the world will meet in Australia for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2022. A few top all-rounders will ply their trade in the upcoming T20 competition.
On that note, let’s look at five all-rounders who will be crucial for their teams in the upcoming T20 World Cup.
#1 Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya is the glue that holds the Indian team together as he gives them a cushion of an extra bowler and finishes games for India. An Indian team with Hardik Pandya is more dangerous than a team without him.
Former Australian captain Ricky Pointing had said, “Hardik’s last few months, in particular, have probably been the best of his career. Looking at the way they stack up, I think Hardik will probably have more of a chance to have an impact with the ball and also more of a chance to have an impact with the bat.”
Since his comeback to the team, he has scored 436 runs at a strike rate of 151.36 and picked 12 wickets. Going into the tournament, India will hope he wins games for them, at least in one facet of the game.
#2 Ben Stokes
Even though he hasn’t played too many T20Is for England going into the T20 World Cup, he will be crucial for them given his ability to perform on the big stages. Stokes, who has taken retirement from ODI’s to focus on Tests and T20s, has made it back to 11 of the shortest format against Australia.
In the first two games, Stokes hasn’t made that significant impact with the bat or bowl till now. England Captain Jos Buttler has said that they want to give Stokes a more critical role in the team, given the impact he can have.
For Stokes, there is no better place to regain than Australia, as he likes the bowl coming onto the bat and the conditions suit his batting style. England will hope for him to replicate what he did for them in the 50 over in the shortest format now.
#3 James Neesham
Whenever one speaks of all-rounders, James Neesham always goes below the radar. He has often helped the Kiwis secure a win with his performance with the bat, bowl, or both.
In the previous edition of the T20 World Cup, his 27 off 11 balls against England in the second semi-final helped the Kiwis secure a place in the final.
This year he has been scoring runs in the shortest format for New Zealand at a mammoth strike rate of 194.23. Neesham isn’t a four-over bank, but he can complete his quota of overs on his day. He is integral to the Black Caps in providing the fireworks at the back end of the innings, and they will hope for him to do the same at this edition of the T20 World Cup.
#4 Wannidu Hasaranga
This Sri Lankan all-rounder is of paramount importance if the Lankan Lions have any chance of making it to the Super 12 stage. He helps to control the flow of runs in the middle overs and provides the finishing touches in the lower middle order.
Hasaranga was the second-highest wicket-taker at the IPL picking 26 wickets and was the highest wicket-taker for Sri Lanka at the Asia Cup. This year the Lankan all-rounder has picked up 19 wickets in T20Is.
Going into the tournament, the team will hope for match-winning performances from him so they can qualify for the next stage of the tournament.
#5 Jason Holder
The big man from the West Indies is a big part of the team’s setup if they want to go deep into the tournament. He has been a consistent performer at the international level. He is the highest wicket-taker for the Windies in T20Is this year, picking up 23 wickets.
Holder can bowl in different game phases, and the bounce from the Australian pitches will help him. He is also pretty handy with the back in the lower middle order and often provides the finishing touches for the team.
He has consistently performed in T20 leagues like IPL, CPL, etc., as he gives them a death bowler and handy batter. West Indies will expect him to thrive in these conditions and cruise them into the Super 12 stage.
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