World T20 2016: Predicted XI

The bugle of World T20 seems to have struck a chord with the cricket pundits and fans across the globe. Currently, the qualifiers round is going on between 8 nations which are divided into two groups. The top team from each group will progress to the Super-10 stage. Meanwhile, the main round of the World T20 will begin on 15th March when the hosts, India will lock horns with the Black Caps.

The World T20 features many dazzling stars who are all set to light up the super-colossal event of the year with their chutzpah and magnificence. Today, we have taken up the task of predicting the possible World T20 2016 XI based on the impact level, the current run of form, consistency level and abilities of a player.

So, let’s have a look at the Predicted World T20 2016 XI:

1. AB de Villiers (South Africa)

Currently, the most versatile batsman in the cricketing world, AB de Villiers possesses all the incredible strokes in his repertoire. The Protean veteran has reached that phase of his career where he can adjust to almost anything. Recently, ABD smacked three centuries in the bilateral ODI series against India at their home. AB’s expertise and experience of Indian conditions after featuring in IPL over time and again make him the most fearsome batter in the World T20.

2. Rohit Sharma (India)

These days, watching Rohit Sharma bat gives us a feeling that he was born to play limited overs cricket. Rohit seems to be at the peak of his powers in the colorful jersey and is adept in setting himself up for a big innings every time he steps out with the willow in hand. The Indian opener has been in the rich vein of form this year and has amassed 337 runs in 11 T20 innings at a healthy average of 30.64.

3. Virat Kohli (India)

One of the golden pearls of the world cricket, Virat Kohli is arguably the finest batsman going around in the world. His invariable consistency in 20-overs cricket is just implausible and scientists are still trying hard to find a chink in his armor. The Indian dasher holds an unbelievable average of 52.65 in T20I cricket with a tremendous strike-rate of 133. Kohli has been in ominous touch and is averaging 117 after featuring in 8 T20Is this year.

4. Faf du Plessis (South Africa) (C)

The South African T20I skipper, Faf du Plessis is a master when it comes to playing against spin. The way he uses his nimble feet against the spinners and his fluency in the Indian conditions make him a top-notch player for this marquee tournament. After making 30 appearances in T20 internationals, Faf averages 41 with a remarkable strike-rate of about 136. In 2016, du Plessis is averaging 55 in T20Is. The 31 years old is a very busy kind of player who keeps the scoreboard ticking in the middle overs without taking much risk.

5. Glenn Maxwell (Australia)

One of the most devastating T20 players of the game, Glenn Maxwell will be the X-factor for the Australians in World T20. Maxwell has a wide array of strokes and he is as good playing the conventional shots as he is with the unorthodox ones. The Big Show is very authoritative against spinners and his glittering performances in the IPL are a testimony of that. Maxi is a sheer match winner and holds a destructive strike-rate of almost 160 in T20 internationals. His spinning abilities and athleticism in the field makes him a complete package for the World T20.

6. Shane Watson (Australia)

Presently, there is a big conundrum going on regarding the batting position of Shane Watson for the World T20. But one thing is for sure, Watto will be a trump card for the Aussies in the Indian conditions. Watson’s game is tailor-made for sub-continent conditions as he is very skillful against spin while his medium seam-ups are a difficult riddle to solve on slow pitches. In T20Is, the stylish right-hander averages around 29 with a blistering strike-rate of almost 145. With the bowl in hand, his economy is 7.64 which is acceptable keeping in view the T20 cricket standards.

7. Jos Buttler (England) (WK)

Like a typical modern day cricketer, Jos Buttler is a player who has command over both orthodox as well as unorthodox shots. Buttler belongs to a rare breed of impactful players who can turn the match on its head.  The aggressive English wicket-keeper batsman has shown great form in 50-overs cricket and for a player like him, it would be relatively easy to make a smooth transition in World T20. The 25 years old averages below 25 in T20Is with a strike-rate of 135 but it is notable that sometimes numbers don’t do justice to the talent and skills of a player.

8. Ravichandran Ashwin (India)

One of most dangerous spinners in the world, R Ashwin will be India’s most lethal weapon on the bowling front. Ashwin is India’s go-to bowler in the Power Play overs or at the back end of the innings or when the best opponent batsman comes to the crease. In 38 T20 internationals, the offie has taken 46 wickets at a miserly economy of 6.84 and average of 21.56. In 2016, the Chennai-born lad has grabbed 17 scalps in 10 outings at an astounding economy of below 6 runs per over and average of 12.35 which is a champions stuff indeed.

9. Kagiso Rabada (South Africa)

Kagiso Rabada is the name of that upcoming Protean legend who will take the legacy of the Donalds and Steyns to a notch higher than before. The 20-year-old is a perfect fast bowling package and has all the staggering tricks up his sleeve. The most impressive thing about Rabada is that at a very young age he has shown exemplary temperament which separates the men from boys. In 12 T20I matches, the right-arm quick has 16 wickets to his credit. On the recent tour of India, the young pacer unfolded great performances whenever the team was under the pump and his last over exploits might well prove to be the turning point for South Africa in World T20.

10. Mohammad Amir (Pakistan)

Genuine pace, controlled swing, hostile bouncer and a deceptive yorker, Mohammad Amir certainly ticks all the boxes which make him the next big thing in the game of cricket. In the Asia Cup, Amir made the most of the helpful seaming conditions and testified his caliber as a fast bowler. The flat Indian wickets will prove challenging for him but now he has got back his rhythm. And as far as his talent and skills are concerned, there was hardly any doubt about that. In 7 T20 internationals this year, the left-armer has taken 8 wickets at a brilliant economy of 6.7 which is exceptional considering he bowls in the fielding restrictions and in the slog overs.

11. Imran Tahir (South Africa)

In limited overs cricket, Imran Tahir is arguably one of the best spinners at present. The South African leg-spinner knows his game really well when it comes to donning the colorful jersey. Tahir has all the deceptive variations in his arsenal which makes him a witty customer in the shortest version of the game. Overall, in 22 T20Is, Imran has grabbed 35 scalps at an awe-inspiring economy of 6.58 and average of 15. In 2016, the leggie has taken 8 wickets in 4 T20 internationals and is raring to go hard at all the participants of the World T20.

**ALL STATS UPDATED TILL 8TH MARCH 2016.