With the World T20 nearly upon us, I want to take a look at a few of the young guns who are set to take the world by storm. For some, they are well-established names in international cricket at this stage. However, due to their recent climb up the cricketing ranks, there might be a lot of people who haven’t actually seen them in action yet.
All I can say is that in a few weeks’ time, you’ll know their names, and they aren’t going away any time soon.
Kagiso Rabada
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last 4 months, you’ve heard of Kagiso Rabada, The Gazelle of Doom.
There is no doubt about it – Kagiso Rabada is the most exciting prospect in international cricket at the moment. His rise to the top has been more remarkable than anyone could have predicted.
Unfortunately for the visiting England (last month), they were on the receiving end of KG at his very best. Ultimately, he finished both the Test series and the ODI series as top wicket-taker, despite missing the first Test. Although he only took 2 wickets in the 2nd T20I, it was the manner in which he took them that would have got international batsmen worried. Both times he got the ball to nip back in and skittle the leg-stump. That opening over to Jason Roy was a treat to watch. KG continued to deliver unplayable ball, after unplayable ball. He managed to beat Roy’s edge twice in the first over before hitting that killer ball.
Anyone who saw him line out against Australia will have seen much of the same. His consistency has been key to South Africa taking wickets at the top of the order. Regardless of the situation, he seems completely unnerved. Any bowler who can bowl two at the top and two at the end of an innings is going to be a huge asset.
If he and Dale Steyn can both fire, South Africa have a very, very good chance of bringing home the gold.
What makes him so good? He’s aggressive. He doesn’t just try bowl line and length and try bore a batsman out of the game. KG wants to take wickets one way – bowled. And boy, there is no better sight!
What to expect? He will take wickets. No doubt about it. Expect to see a lot of stumps flying.
Jasprit Bumrah
IPL fans will have known about Jasprit Bumrah for a long time. However, only in the last three months has he gotten the chance to showcase his talent on the international stage. In that time, Bumrah has stood head and shoulders above his Indian counterparts.
Despite playing just 11 T20I games to date, he’s probably one of the first names on the team sheet at this stage. In his 11 games to date, he’s gone wicket-less just once. Funnily enough, this is the only time that he’s batted as well, such is the quality of the Indian higher and middle order.
Unlike KG, he doesn’t possess lighting pace, but he can get the ball to nip off the surface. Sometimes, this can be even harder to read as the batsman is forced to try generate the pace himself.
Anyone who caught some of the India v. Pakistan game will have seen Bumrah throw down 18 balls, 16 of which were dots. With an economy of just 6.30, he could very quickly become India’s most important bowler in the World T20. If someone has told you a few months ago that a pacer could be more important than the likes of Ashwin in a home tournament, you’d have called them insane.
Importantly for India, aside his IPL counterparts, a lot of India’s opponents won’t have faced Bumrah before.
What makes him so good? He offers a lot of variety. His ability to dry up the runs means that he can operate as both an attacking and a defensive bowler. He can also bowl at the death, something which India haven’t always been the best at.
What to expect? Consistent line & length, a low economy and a lot of Yorkers.
Mustafizur Rahman
Anyone who follows cricket, even casually will have heard of Mustafizur Rahman, the most exciting prospect in Bangladesh at the moment. In the shorter format, Mustafizur announced himself to the world with a spectacular 5 wicket-haul against India. In his second match? 6 more wickets. His form has coincided with some of Bangladesh’s most historic series victories as well. Bangladesh’s victims include South Africa and India – two tournament favourites.
He has been incredibly effective in drying up runs – which has undoubtedly contributed to wickets for his fellow bowlers. On pitches which have been known to offer a lot for the batsman, having a bowler who can dry up one end can be hugely important. Mustafizur’s pace could also be very problematic for batsmen. He has an incredibly dangerous slower ball, not too dissimilar from James Faulkner.
He’s currently sitting out of the Asia Cup with a side strain; however it is expected that he will recover in time for the World T20. If he isn’t at full fitness, Bangladesh’s chances will suffer a massive hit.
What makes him so good? He bowls a nagging line and length – that can be incredibly difficult to read. Bowlers very often find themselves caught between playing and leaving.
What to expect? Lots of nicks, a lot of edges. Indian pitches will reward bowlers who can get the ball to move out of the hand. The men behind the stumps will need to be on their game.
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