The 7 big-hitting batters who could absolutely dominate IPL 2026

It’s not long now till the Indian Premier League starts. Ten teams and two months of cricket in the franchise game’s premier event.

The 2026 staging of the tournament will be the 19th iteration of the competition.

With the squads now decided and the World Cup done and dusted, it’s time to gaze into the crystal ball and predict who will be the leading scorers in this year’s IPL.

1. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (Rajasthan Royals)

Few young players arrive in the IPL with as much intrigue as Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The Rajasthan Royals have built a reputation for spotting and nurturing young batting talent and the left-hander is the next in that line.

Sooryavanshi, who will be 15 years old when the tournament starts, brings fearless stroke play and an ability to score quickly against both pace and spin which makes him a potentially devastating option at the top of the order.

The Royals often give their attacking batters the freedom to take risks in the powerplay, a phase in which Sooryavanshi thrives.

He will be at the top of the RR order alongside another India star Yashasvi Jaiswal, while there is also the option of another teenage prodigy in Protea star Lhuan-dre Pretorius.

If Sooryavanshi settles quickly he could once again surprise many seasoned observers by mounting a genuine run-scoring challenge.

Don’t forget, he is already the youngest century scorer in IPL history and in eth final of the U19 World Cup he led his team to a win with a sensational knock of 175.

2. Virat Kohli (Royal Challengers Bengaluru)

Even after more than a decade in the IPL, Virat Kohli remains one of the safest predictions when it comes to big runs. He is the banker and with 8661 runs he is the competitions leading all-time scorer.

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru stalwart has an extraordinary record in the competition and continues to demonstrate remarkable consistency.

Kohli’s ability to build an innings while maintaining a high strike rate is ideally suited to the demands of a long tournament. Over the years he has repeatedly shown that he can dominate bowling attacks across a variety of conditions.

It would surprise nobody if Kohli once again found himself among the leading scorers.

3. Ishan Kishan (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

Explosive wicketkeeper batter Ishan Kishan could be poised for a major season with Sunrisers Hyderabad.

A naturally aggressive player, Kishan has the ability to change the momentum of a match within a few overs and he found excellent form for India during the T20 World Cup.

If given a regular role near the top of the order, he will have the opportunity to face plenty of deliveries, which is often the key to winning the IPL run-scoring race.

Kishan is particularly dangerous during the powerplay, where his attacking approach can overwhelm opposition bowlers.

A consistent run of starts could easily translate into a standout tournament. He is vying for the wicketkeeper role with retired Proteas hitter Heinrich Klaasen, but regardless of who wears the gloves, Kishan will play.

Also read: Five big IPL coaching moves that could shape the 2026 season

4. Dewald Brevis (Chennai Super Kings)

Few young batters in world cricket possess the natural power of Dewald Brevis.

The South Africa star has already shown glimpses of his potential in franchise cricket around the world and a move to Chennai Super Kings could prove a defining moment in his career.

He joined the team towards the tail-end of the 2025 season, and while his arrival wasn’t enough to save a failed campaign, there was an undoubted uptick in performance following his arrival.

Brevis thrives in high-pressure environments and is particularly effective against spin, an important quality on many Indian pitches. If he earns a regular spot in the Super Kings lineup, his fearless style could yield a string of match-winning innings.

With his ability to clear the boundary with ease (he hits more sixes than fours), Brevis could quickly emerge as one of the most dangerous batters in the tournament.

5. Sherfane Rutherford (Mumbai Indians)

Sherfane Rutherford has built a reputation as a destructive middle-order hitter and Mumbai Indians will be hoping he can translate that power into sustained run scoring this season.

The West Indies big-hitter certainly came good during the SA20 where he was phenomenal for the Pretoria Capitals. He carried that form into the World Cup, and he is currently at the top of his game.

While middle-order batters often face fewer deliveries, Rutherford’s aggressive style allows him to accumulate runs quickly. If the top order provides a solid platform, he could be perfectly positioned to finish innings with a flourish.

6. Glenn Phillips (Gujarat Titans)

Glenn Phillips has long been regarded as one of the most explosive batters in international T20 cricket. The New Zealand star combines brute power with remarkable athleticism and an ability to dominate spin bowling.

For Gujarat Titans, Phillips could play a crucial role in maintaining momentum through the middle overs. If he is promoted up the order on occasion, his run-scoring opportunities could increase significantly.

Given his reputation for producing rapid centuries in the shortest format, Phillips remains a genuine contender for the tournament’s top run-scorer title. His ability to bat both left and right-handed also make him a handful for bowlers.

7. Rishabh Pant (Lucknow Super Giants)

When Rishabh Pant is in full flow there are few more thrilling batters in world cricket. The Lucknow Super Giants captain possesses the rare ability to dominate attacks from the moment he arrives at the crease.

Pant’s fearless approach means he can score heavily even when the pressure is mounting. His willingness to take on bowlers also ensures that he rarely becomes bogged down during the middle overs.

He comes into the tournament off the back of some down-time, and he will be looking to reestablish his reputation as India’s premier power-hitting wicketkeeper, a role that has been lost to Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson.

If Pant finds consistency across the tournament, his attacking instincts and leadership role could propel him towards the top of the IPL scoring charts.

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Seven deadly bowlers who could dominate the IPL 2026 Purple Cap race

T20 is very much the domain of the batsman, but even having said that, in every season and every tournament there are always bowlers who end up shining brighter than the rest.

With the 19th season of the Indian Premier League set to commence at the end of March there is once again the opportunity for someone to don the Purple Cap, the reward for the player who leads the wicket takers list.

Last season the leading wicket taker was Gujarat Titans seamer Prasidh Krishna who bagged 25 scalps. The record for the most wickets in a single season is 32, a feat shared by Dwayne Bravo in 2013 and Harshal Patel in 2021.

But who will be the leading wicket taker in 2026? Let’s dust off the crystal ball and make some predictions.

1. Sai Kishore (Gujarat Titans)

Sai Kishore has quietly developed into one of the most reliable left arm spinners in the competition. Operating in the middle overs, his ability to choke scoring while still taking wickets makes him a strong Purple Cap contender.

Gujarat’s bowling unit is structured to apply pressure, and Kishore often benefits from batters taking risks against him. If conditions assist spin, he could climb quickly to the top of the charts.

Kishore will be playing his fourth season on IPL in 2026 and looking to build on what was a breakout campaign last time out where he managed 19 wickets at a strike rate of 13.4.

2. Jacob Duffy (Royal Challengers Bengaluru)

Ranked 20^th in the world in T20I, 2026 will see Duffy make his debut in the IPL. The New Zealand seamer may not yet be a household name in the IPL, but his skill set is tailor made for T20 success.

Swing with the new ball and accuracy at the death are a valuable combination. Playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Duffy will likely take the new ball regularly, giving him early opportunities to strike and build momentum.

Also read: Five big IPL coaching moves that could shape the 2026 season

3. Jasprit Bumrah (Mumbai Indians)

It almost feels inevitable that Jasprit Bumrah will feature in any Purple Cap conversation.

The Mumbai Indians spearhead remains one of the most complete all-format bowlers in the world. Whether at the start or the death, Bumrah has the control and variations to dismantle batting line ups.

If he plays a full season, which he didn’t do in 2025 due to injury, it would be no surprise to see him challenge the 30-wicket mark.

4. Eshan Malinga (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

A rising name, Sri Lanka‘s Eshan Malinga brings a slingy action and yorker heavy approach reminiscent of classic T20 specialists.

At Sunrisers Hyderabad, he could be entrusted with key overs at the death, where wickets often come in clusters. If he handles the pressure moments well, his tally could rise rapidly.

Last season was Malinga’s debut in IPL, and he managed 13 wickets from seven games at a strike rate of 12.3. If he gets a full set of fixtures under the belt he could well find himself towards the top of the wicket-takers charts.

5. Lungi Ngidi (Delhi Capitals)

Lungi Ngidi has long been known as a strike bowler in T20 cricket. Representing Delhi Capitals, his role will likely revolve around breaking partnerships.

Ngidi’s strength is two-fold – firstly it lies in hitting hard lengths and extracting bounce, which can be particularly effective on India surfaces that offer some assistance.

But secondly, and perhaps more importantly are his variations, particularly his slower ball, which is one of the best in the game. Fitness will be key, but if he strings together a full campaign, he could be among the leaders.

He heads into IPL 2026 having been named in the ICC’s Team of the Tournament at the recently completed T20 World Cup.

6. Arshdeep Singh (Punjab Kings)

Left arm pacer Arshdeep Singh has become synonymous with composure under pressure. For Punjab Kings, he is the go-to bowler in crunch situations, especially at the death.

His ability to nail yorkers and force mistakes makes him a consistent wicket taking threat. With experience now firmly on his side, this could be the season he converts promise into a Purple Cap push.

Arshdeep’s best return in a single IPL season came in 2025 (his seventh in the competition), when he bagged 21 scalps.

7. Blessing Muzarabani (Kolkata Knight Riders)

Towering Zimbabwean quick Blessing Muzarabani adds a different dimension with his height and bounce. At Kolkata Knight Riders, he could be used aggressively in both the powerplay and middle overs.

His steep bounce often forces batters into errors, particularly on surfaces with extra carry. If he adapts quickly to IPL conditions, Muzarabani has the tools to be a breakout star.

He certainly showed what he can do in Indian conditions as he led the attack for Zimbabwe at the recently completed World Cup where he was a stand-out performer.

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IPL didn’t pick them – but PSL 2026 will showcase these seven stars

While the Indian Premier League remains the marquee league in franchise cricket, its direct rival, the Pakistan Super League, is slowly making up ground as an attractive and lucrative destination for overseas players.

The 2026 staging of the PSL will be its 11th season. Making it extra interesting is the fact that it has now expanded from six teams to eight teams which naturally means more games and more players.

With the opening fixture set to take place on Thursday 26 March between the Lahore Qalandars and the Hyderabad Kingsmen, let’s take a moment to look at some of the big-name players who will be making their PSL debuts this season.

1. Marnus Labuschagne (Hyderabad Kingsmen)

Better known for his exploits in Test cricket, Labuschagne’s presence in the PSL is intriguing.

His adaptability has improved markedly in white-ball formats, and his ability to anchor an innings could prove vital on slower subcontinental surfaces.

With more T20 experience under his belt in recent years, this tournament offers him a platform to showcase a more expansive side of his game.

Marnus has played just one T20I for Australia, but he boasts franchise experience in BBL and Vitality Blast. His strike rate in the format is a modest 126.81 and he averages 26.55 per innings.

2. Glenn Maxwell (Hyderabad Kingsmen)

Maxwell remains one of the most destructive T20 players in the world. Capable of changing games in a matter of overs, his innovative stroke play and useful off-spin make him a genuine match-winner.

Although he is now at the tail-end of his career Maxwell is one of the all-time greats in the format – it is not for nothing that he earned himself the nickname ‘The Big Show’.

For Hyderabad, he brings not just firepower but invaluable experience in high-pressure franchise leagues.

Also read: Five big IPL coaching moves that could shape the 2026 season

3. Devon Conway (Islamabad United)

A model of consistency, Conway has quietly become one of the most reliable top-order batters in T20 cricket. His ability to pace an innings and find gaps with precision makes him ideally suited to PSL conditions.

Islamabad will rely heavily on him to provide stability at the top.

He also doubles as a wicketkeeper. Conway was at the recent T20 World Cup with New Zealand and is currently playing in the bilateral series against South Africa where he has struck form, posting his highest score in over two years in T20Is in the second game of the series.

4. Adam Zampa (Karachi Kings)

Leg-spin remains a prized commodity in T20 cricket, and Zampa is among the best in the business. His control in the middle overs and knack for breaking partnerships could be crucial for Karachi.

On turning tracks, he may well be one of the standout bowlers of the tournament. With 147 scalps to his credit Zampa is Australia’s leading wicket taker in T20I cricket.

Still just 33-years-old, Zampa has extensive experience in franchise cricket having played in BBL, CPL, IPL, MLC and Vitality Blast.

5. Gudakesh Motie (Lahore Qalandars)

Motie’s left-arm spin has gained increasing recognition on the global stage. Known for his control and subtle variations, he thrives in conditions that offer grip and turn.

Lahore’s attack will likely revolve around his ability to stifle opposition scoring in the middle overs. The West Indian has played 51 T20Is and averages 25.85 in the format with a strike rate of 19.5.

6. Steve Smith (Multan Sultans)

Smith’s inclusion adds a fascinating dimension.

Traditionally viewed as a longer-format specialist, he has reinvented aspects of his T20 game, adding greater intent and range and he was in superb form during the latest season of BBL, where his weight of runs earned him a late recall to the Australia squad for the World Cup.

His leadership qualities and cricketing intelligence could be just as valuable as his runs for Multan. Smith has previously played nine seasons of IPL cricket where he averages a very useful 34.51.

Interestingly his average in BBL is 48.32, with his average in the recently completed season an astounding 59.80.

7. Dian Forrester (Rawalpindi Pindiz)

One of the emerging names on this list, Forrester represents the next generation of South Africa talent. Currently on tour with the Proteas in New Zealand, he wasn’t quite good enough to make the World Cup squad, but he was certainly in the thinking.

A dynamic all-rounder, he offers versatility with both bat and ball. The PSL could provide the perfect stage for him to announce himself on the global franchise circuit. In the 2026 staging of SA20 Forrester averaged 58.33 with the bat.

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Five big IPL coaching moves that could shape the 2026 season

The Indian Premier League has always been as much a battle of the tactical minds off the field as it is a contest of skill on it.

As we approach the 2026 season, with the first game set to happen at the end of march, the coaching carousels have been spinning, with franchises recalibrating their support staff to find the winning edge.

From internal promotions to the return of legends, here are five key coaching moves that will define the upcoming tournament.

1. KKR promote homegrown architect – Abhishek Nayar

In perhaps the most significant move for the three-time former champions, Abhishek Nayar has been elevated to the role of Head Coach for the Kolkata Knight Riders.

Replacing Chandrakant Pandit, Nayar is no stranger to the KKR setup having joined them last season after exiting his role as assistant coach of the India team.

Nayar has also spent years as the “brains” behind their academy and scouting systems, he has been credited with the rise of players like Rinku Singh. This transition signals a shift toward a more modern, player-centric leadership style as KKR looks to build a long-term dynasty.

2. The return of the legend – Kumar Sangakkara at RR

After a brief hiatus where Rahul Dravid took the reins, Kumar Sangakkara is officially back as the Head Coach of the Rajasthan Royals.

While Sangakkara remained a fixture as the Director of Cricket, his return to the “dugout-active” head coach role is a massive boost for the Pink City – he is also set to continue with the Director of Cricket role.

The Sri Lankan great brings a calming influence and a deep understanding of the Royals’ data-driven philosophy. His dual role ensures a seamless synergy between the front office and the tactical decisions made on the boundary line.

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3. A star-studded support room – Watson and Southee join KKR

KKR isn’t just changing its head coach; it’s building a “super-room” of assistants. Joining Nayar’s staff are Shane Watson and Tim Southee.

Watson, a two-time IPL MVP, brings an invaluable winning mentality as an assistant coach, while Southee transitions from active player to bowling coach.

Southee’s recent experience in the T20 circuit provides KKR’s pace battery with real-time tactical insights that few retired veterans could offer.

4. Technical refinement – Ian Bell heads to Delhi

The Delhi Capitals have looked to England for technical expertise, appointing Ian Bell as an assistant coach under Hemang Badani. Bell, known for his classical technique and high cricket IQ, is tasked with stabilizing a DC batting order that has often been brilliant but brittle.

His experience in high-pressure international environments will be vital for the younger Indian batters in the squad who are looking to take the next step toward national honours.

5. Fresh firepower – Varun Aaron leads SRH bowling

Sunrisers Hyderabad has opted for a fresh perspective by naming former India pacer Varun Aaron as their new bowling coach. Replacing James Franklin, Aaron brings a modern understanding of the “pace-is-pace” philosophy that SRH has traditionally favoured.

Having recently moved from playing to coaching, Aaron’s knowledge of modern T20 variations and the specific demands of Indian pitches will be a critical asset for a bowling unit led by Pat Cummins.

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Revealed: Cricket365’s most underwhelming T20 World Cup XI

Picking a team of the tournament is a common occurrence after a major event – we have gone and picked ours.

But as much as there are always the stars that shine, there are also those that fail to find form and which disappoint. The T20 World Cup had plenty of underperforming players, those who got ‘must try harder’ written on their report cards.

Let’s take a moment to compile our underwhelming eleven now that the tenth T20 World Cup has been completed.

1. Jos Buttler (England)

England arrived at the World Cup with their openers, Jos Buttler and Phil Salt firmly ensconced in the top five of the ICC batting rankings.

Big things were expected from them. Neither really came to the party, but Buttler was far and away the most underwhelming. Buttler managed just 87 runs at an average of 10.87.

England’s inability to make solid starts was one of the reasons they never produced the sort of fluent performance that was hoped for.

2. Travis Head (Australia)

Australia‘s campaign was a disaster. For a team that boasts an exceptionally proud record in ICC events, for Australia, who came into the competition as the second ranked side in the world, their failure to exit the pool stages was a low.

It was a campaign that struggled on so many fronts. They were badly hit by injury, but their preparation was poor and their players low on confidence and experience. On player who was expected to shine was Travis Head.

Not only is Head a T20 star and an IPL regular, but he had also been in great form during the Ashes, smashing the ball all over the park. As much as they are different formats, Head was a man in form when he left Australia. In all he managed just 111 runs with one 50 plus score.

3. Phil Salt (England)

Salt was the world’s number two batsman heading into the competition and there was plenty expected from him. Like Head (above), Salt passed 50 once.

He ended the tournament as the 47th highest scorer, which is not bad if you are a middle order batsman for a mid-ranked team; but if you are an opener for a top side, you should be doing a lot more.

Granted he was under pressure from the repeated failures of his opening partner, but to end the tournament with just an average of 16.25 is a long way short of what he would have been hoping for.

4. Abhishek Sharma (India)

Abhishek looked good in the final as he smashed a brisk 52 from 21 balls to give the innings the unassailable momentum that could never be arrested. But for the most part, his tournament returns were underwhelming.

He made ducks in each of his first three innings before finally opening his account. But 141 runs at an average of 17.62 is simply not good enough for the man who was (and still is) ranked number one in the world at the start of the competition.

What’s more, Abhishek boasts the highest career strike rate in T20Is, but even that was way below par for him at the World Cup where he scored his runs at (by his standards) a pedestrian rate of 158.42 for India.

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5. Cameron Green (Australia)

The most expensive overseas player ever to be purchased on the IPL auction, there was a lot expected to the big Australian allrounder.

Green was so disappointing that he wasn’t even the highest-ranking Green at the competition – that honour fell to Namibia’s Zane Green (hmmm… me neither).

Cameron contributed 24 runs to Australia’s faltering cause, averaging just eight for the campaign. KKR will hope he brings a bit more to the party when he arrives to play for them at the end of the month.

6. Babar Azam (Pakistan)

Once the number one white-ball player in the world, Babar has lost his touch in spectacular fashion.

Seemingly weighed down by the burden of his past brilliance and his inability to rediscover the magic, Babar always looked as though he had the weight of the world on his shoulders when batting.

He finished with just 91 runs at an average of 22.75. Most alarming though was his strike rate which at 112.34 was far too slow and guaranteed to be placing pressure on the batsmen who followed him.

7. Glenn Maxwell (Australia)

Another Australian who could not live up to his reputation. A player who was known as the ‘Big Show’, Maxwell is now almost 38-years-old and sadly, well past his prime.

He struggled in IPL last season, and he looked badly out of touch in a struggling Aussie line-up at the World Cup. Gone are the days where Maxwell could come in and turn the momentum of game with his power hitting.

He managed 62 runs in the tournament at an average of 20.66.

8. Keshav Maharaj (South Africa)

The veteran South African spinner is a wily campaigner with plenty of experience. Maharaj is a brave performer who always gives his best, but at 36-years-old you can’t help but feel that he is running out of career runway.

Maharaj managed just five wickets at the tournament, three of them coming in just one over, ironically all caught at long off by Tristan Stubbs who was perfectly placed to stop them clearing the rope for six.

Maharaj ended the competition with a bowling average of 35.80 and a strike rate of 25.2.

9. Nathan Ellis (Australia)

After Adam Zampa, Ellis was Australia’s second highest ranked bowler coming into the tournament.

As much as a lot has been made about the absence of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazelwood, Ellis has been the form man for the Baggy Greens for the last little while and there was plenty expected from him in India.

In all he managed just five wickets, four of them coming in Australia’s first game against Ireland. He failed to make an impact against either Zimbabwe or Sri Lanka, which is ultimately where Australia dropped out of the competition.

10. Noor Ahmad (Afghanistan)

The Afghan spinner has a big reputation and has been a consistent performer in franchise leagues around the world. Alongside Rashid Khan he was expected to be a handful on the wickets of India and Sri Lanka, but his competition was over almost before it began.

Afghanistan were desperately unlucky not to advance from the pool stages as they were drawn alongside dual semi-finalists South Africa and New Zealand. But Noor played in just two games and failed to take a wicket, a disappointing return.

11. Kagiso Rabada (South Africa)

Feared in Test cricket and with a huge reputation as a destroyer, Rabada was disconcertingly out of form for the Proteas.

Rabada managed just five wickets all tournament, his scalps coming at an average of 43.40, numbers that are so far removed from his teammates like Lungi Ngidi and Corbin Bosch and Marco Jansen.

The form of his teammates meant that Rabada’s poor form wasn’t more cruelly highlighted, but his horror show final over against Afghanistan nearly cost South Africa dearly.

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Revealed: Cricket365’s best T20 World Cup XI from the tournament

The T20 World Cup has come and gone, and India have retained their title. Sunday’s final was a one-sided affair as the hosts crushed New Zealand by 96 runs in Ahmedabad.

While the final was not the spectacle everyone was hoping for, the tournament was nevertheless packed with plenty of thrilling games and outstanding performances.

Now that it is all done, let’s take a moment to pick our team of the tournament.

1. Sanju Samson – (wicketkeeper, India)

He was named player of the tournament, but curiously Samson was something of a non-entity until the business end of proceedings.

Having said that, once he got going, Samson was simply unstoppable and there is lots to be said about scoring your runs when it matters as opposed to in early pool play.

Samson ended the tournament as the third highest scorer with 321 runs at an average of 80.25. His strike rate of 199.37 was remarkable.

2. Sahibzada Farhan (Pakistan)

The leading scorer of the tournament, Farhan scored two centuries and ended the competition with 383 runs at an average of 76.60.

His total runs is more than 50 ahead of the player in second place (Tim Seifert), who played two more games.

It wasn’t an easy tournament for Pakistan who battled with political issues and a batting line-up that struggled, but through it all, Farhan kept going like a metronome at the top of the Pakistan order.

3. Aiden Markram (captain, South Africa)

He batted at the top of the order for South Africa, but we have placed him at three in this team to accommodate Samson and Farhan as openers.

Markram marshalled his South African team superbly executing his strategies and bowling changes to perfection – until it went wrong in the semi-final.

But aside from his leadership, Markram scored a bucketload of run and he scored quickly. This was a tournament where he really imposed himself. It’s no coincidence that under his leadership South Arica were the only team in the competition to defeat India.

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4. Ishan Kishan (India)

Kishan started as the opener of choice for India but was eventually replaced at the top of the order by Samson. He was replaced, not due to his lack of performance but rather because of the focus, wrath and frenzy and Samson rained down on his opponents.

Kishan was nevertheless outstanding finishing as the tournaments fourth highest scorer with 317 runs at an average of 35.22 and a strike-rate of 193.29. He was also excellent in the field.

5. Hardik Pandya (India)

A genuine allrounder and a man for the big occasion, Pandya just kept doing the business whenever he was called on. A powerful striker of the ball, on several occasions he added late ballast to India totals with his whirlwind hitting.

He also took key wickets and bowled crucial overs – both at the top and tail of innings.

6. Will Jacks (England)

There were plenty of players expected to shoot the lights out for England – Will Jacks wasn’t one of them.

But in a tournament where England struggled for fluency more than results, the one player who kept on performing with bat, ball and in the field was Will Jacks. His impact and his consistency were both outstanding.

He averaged 56.50 with the bat at a strike-rate of 176.56. Meanwhile with the ball he bagged nine wickets with an average of 21.66 and a strike rate of 13.33.

7. Adil Rashid (England)

The veteran England spinner makes our team ahead of Varun Chakravarthy, but it is a close call. Rashid took one wicket less than the Indian mystery spinner, but he ended the tournament with a better average and economy rate.

By the end of the tournament it felt like many of the more established teams had managed to demystify Chakravarthy.

Rashid however just kept on doing his thing, not only taking wickets, but also keeping the run rate down and therefore helping to create pressure and wickets for the rest of the team.

8. Jasprit Bumrah (India)

Former Protea skipper Faf du Plessis said that having a player like Bumrah in the team was like having a genie in the side. He is more than a little bit magic, and he always brings it in the big games.

Bumrah ended the tournament as the leading wicket taker with 14 scalps at an average of 12.42, an economy rate of 6.21 and a strike rate of a wicket two overs.

Bumrah is a generational talent, and as much as the India batting line-up get most of the attention, it is Bumrah’s role defending scores that truly sets India apart from their opponents.

9. Lungi Ngidi (South Africa)

South Africa is a country obsessed with fast bowlers, which makes Ngidi’s prowess with the ball even more special given he makes the side due to his slower balls.

Make no mistake, Ngidi can send the white ball down at pace, but it is his variations that can make him unplayable. Ngidi had an outstanding tournament, claiming 12 wickets at 15.58 with a strike rate of 13.00.

In a squad that includes Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje and Marco Jansen as strike options, Ngidi has firmly established himself as South Africa’s premier white-ball bowler.

10. Shadley van Schalkwyk (USA)

The veteran American quick makes this team despite playing just four games in the competition. America was knocked out after the pool stages but despite that the South African-born paceman almost finished the tournament as the leading wicket-taker.

It was only in the final that he was nudged out of top spot. Van Schalkwyk was prolific, taking 13 wickets – his associated statistics are almost off the charts. He averaged 7.76 per scalp, had an economy rate of 6.80 and a preposterously low strike rate of 6.84.

11. Blessing Muzarabani (Zimbabwe)

Zimbabwe were superb and fully deserved their spot in the Super Sixes at the expense of an undercooked Australia. The Chevrons played as a team, and they played for each other and their country.

They were a joy to watch. One of the stars was Muzarabani who was good enough to walk into almost any team at the tournament. Tall and intelligent, Muzarabani played with confidence and aggression, always coming hard at his opponent.

He ended the competition tied in third place as leading wicket taker with 13 scalps. He finished with a best return of 4/17, an average of 14.46 and a strike rate of 11.00.

12th man: Brian Bennett (Zimbabwe)

The Zimbabwean youngster was a star, and he edges players like Marco Jansen and Jacob Bethell out of this team to claim the 12th man spot.

It is hard to argue with the selection given that he ended the competition with a batting average of 146 and the sixth most runs in the tournament. He was also outstanding in the field, pulling off one of the catches of the tournament in pool play.

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The post Revealed: Cricket365’s best T20 World Cup XI from the tournament appeared first on Cricket365.

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India were preordained to win this T20 World Cup and they did not disappoint

India were preordained to win this T20 World Cup and they did not disappoint

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