ICC Champions Trophy 2017 – Five Players Who Can Turn Into Overnight Sensations
Nov 2, 2023 at 3:52 PM
There is a crystal clear reason behind what makes ICC events such a prestigious outing. Apart from being a global platform for teams to showcase their match winning skills, it provides an ideal opportunity for rookies to transform themselves into seasoned campaigners.
An ICC event, like the ICC Champions Trophy, is the perfect platform for any relatively inexperienced international cricketer to leave a long lasting impression and turn into an overnight sensation.
Who can forget the case of a certain Yuvraj Singh, who burst on to the international circuit in ICC Champions Trophy 2000 in Nairobi? The 18-year-old chocolate faced southpaw demolished the reputed Australian bowling attack with effortless grace to deliver a crucial win for India right in his debut innings and became the golden eyed boy of a billion souls in India.
Keeping such an inspiring criteria in mind, below, we have a look at five such names, who can turn into overnight sensations with impressive performances in the upcoming edition of the ICC Champions Trophy.
5. Sabbir Rahman – Bangladesh:
By far the most stylish Bangladesh batsman of recent times, Rahman has all the ingredients needed to succeed at the international level. Oozing lots of style, Rahman has been a gem for Bangladesh so far and will be playing his first ever 50-over ICC event in the UK this time around. Bangladesh is making their comeback to this particular tournament for the first time since 2006, and to have a solid impression, Rahman will be the key for the Tigers. Batting in the top order will suit Rahman, as he is a natural stroke maker who looks to be positive. The 25-year-old has already had a bit of acclaim when he was the Man of the Series in the 2016 Asia Cup. A strong case here in England will surely include him among the cream of batsmen in world cricket right now.
- Kusal Mendis – Sri Lanka:
A big reason behind Sri Lanka’s memorable campaign of the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy was the form of Kumar Sangakkara, who churned out some fine knocks, including a century against England in a steep run chase. One batsman in the current Sri Lankan side who can come anywhere close to the great southpaw is Kusal Mendis. Known to be a run machine in the domestic circuit, Kusal, like Rahman, bats at 3 and loves to play his strokes. His mindset, however, is his biggest strength, as proven during a match-winning century against Australia at home in a Test last year. Considering Sri Lanka’s sorry form off late, Mendis seems to be their only hope with the bat.
- Imad Wasim – Pakistan:
The lack of a match-defining all-rounder has hurt Pakistan for quite a few years now. Ever since Abdul Razzak left the scene, the side has tried many all-rounders, but to no avail. Finally, in the form of Imad Wasim, the number 8 ranked ODI outfit has a promising all rounder who can step up to the big occasion. In 21 ODIs, Wasim has already taken 24 wickets and scored 3 half-centuries at an average of 42.33, thereby showing his skills. Against South Africa and Sri Lanka, if Pakistan is to do well, Wasim will be the side’s trump card. Batting at number 7, his runs lower down the order could dictate the momentum of the game.
- Jason Roy:
A student from Brendon McCullum’s school of batsmanship, Roy has been a star for England in the last couple of years. The Surrey opener has played a colossal role in England’s transformation to a batting powerhouse. Whenever Roy fires at the top, England is more likely to win games and win them in some style. In his brief career so far, Roy has already notched up 3 centuries, all of them coming in winning causes. The fact that he averages 42 and strikes over 107 per 100 deliveries in victorious causes, is enough to justify the threat he carries for other teams. If Roy manages to put on a couple of matches winning performances for England, he will be counted in the modern day elite list of openers, comprising of David Warner, Rohit Sharma and Martin Guptill.
- Hardik Pandya – India:
India’s frustrating search for a seam-bowling all-rounder could well end with Hardik Pandya. The all-rounder has just been a revelation and could take his career to the summit if he contributes in a major chunk of India’s campaign this time around.
Having played 7 ODIs, Pandya has 9 wickets to his name and averages in excess of 50 with the bat, being mainly a finisher. Pandya was quite accurate with the ball against England earlier this year, as he struck at some defining moments.
His batting prowess as a finisher is another major aspect which will prompt India to play him at 7. If Pandya can successfully deliver 10 overs, India will be assured of not just good accurate seam bowling in assisting conditions, but also an extended batting order as someone like Ravindra Jadeja could bat at 8. With conditions set to favour his style of play, Pandya couldn’t have asked for a better stage to prove his skills and become an overnight international icon.