The five best batters at T20 World Cup including India and Pakistan stars

The art of T20 batting has evolved in the last decade with scoops, reverse sweeps and big sixes becoming something of a norm.

Although bowling and fielding are a huge part of the modern T20 game, you cannot win games, let alone tournaments without a strong batting line-up that will consistently score runs, whether that be to set a total of chase one down.

As the start of the T20 World Cup Super 12 stages draws closer, Metro.co.uk has picked out five of the best batters to watch out for during what is bound to be a scintillating festival of cricket. 

CHRIS GAYLE (West Indies)

The Universe Boss, as he’s widely known, is bound to bring excitement to what could prove to be his last ever international tournament. 

The 42-year-old has been entertaining crowds for over 15 years and is once again included as part of a Windies team packed full of six-hitters, including the likes of Andre Russell and Nicolas Pooran.

Gayle has 1,854 T20I runs in 74 matches, and has hit almost as many sixes (121) than he has fours (155) in that time. 

There were concerns about the star batter leading into the tournament after he left the recent IPL due to ‘bubble fatigue’, but his international captain Kieran Pollard has no fears that he’ll be ready and raring to go.

‘Living in bubbles is difficult,’ he said. ‘If a guy who enjoys himself in any situation can’t take it, it shows how difficult it can be for some of us. We are backing him to do well.’

VIRAT KOHLI (India)

Arguably the best player and captain of his generation. 

Kohli’s ability to play the same way, whether that be on a flat wicket or a tricky one, and still always find a way to score runs is a trait not possessed by many players across the world.

The 32-year-old has 3,159 T20I runs in his 90-match career at an average of 52.65 and a handy strike rate of 139.04.

Kohli is expected to slot in at number three for India behind Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul – a top order that will send shivers down the spine of any bowling attack that has to bowl at them.

But could the pressure from the India fans, who expect their team to win the entire competition, be too much for Kohli and his men? 

JONNY BAIRSTOW (England)

Although he’s not the highest-ranked batter in the England team, he’s certainly up there with one of the most destructive. 

Bairstow has been a huge part of England’s white-ball successes in recent years, which has seen them win the 50-over World Cup in 2019 as well as lifting them to the top of the T20 rankings.

The 32-year-old Yorkshireman also has experience of playing on sub-continent pitches having opened the batting for the Sunrisers Hyderabad across several successful IPL seasons. 

An electric fielder, who is also more than handy behind the stumps should there be any issues with first-choice wicketkeeper Jos Buttler, Bairstow will need to be on top form if England have any chance of winning the trophy in notoriously difficult conditions. 

AARON FINCH (Australia)

Australia’s captain is expected to play a key role in his team’s successes in the upcoming tournament. 

Given the lack of form to their usual run-scorers, David Warner and Steve Smith, Finch’s runs at the top of the order will be even more important.

An in-form Finch is as destructive as any batter in the world, and his ability to bludgeon spin could make him a serious threat to opposition bowling attacks. 

Although they come into the tournament as the underdogs, never underestimate the Aussies in a World Cup.

BABAR AZAM (Pakistan)

Ranked number two in the T20 batting rankings, Babar has become the leading figure in Pakistan cricket over the last few years. 

His faultless cover drive and ability to score at a fast rate while continuing to play traditional cricket shots, coupled with the fact that Pakistan have played the majority of their home cricket in the UAE in recent years, means he is a force to be reckoned with going into the tournament. 

Babar averages an incredible 46.89 across his 56 T20I matches, including 20 fifties and one solitary hundred in a win against South Africa earlier this year.

Despite being underdogs to win the upcoming competition, Azam believes that he and his teammates can cause an upset if they are able to put their experience of conditions to good use.

‘We’ve been playing cricket in the UAE for the past three to four years and we know the conditions really well. We know how the wicket will behave and the adjustments batters will have to make,’ he said.

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