VIRAT KOHLI (IND): As predictable as it can get, but Virat Kohli still remains the focus of all the attention. The modern master showed in IPL that he can maintain a strike rate of 155 over a period of 15 games. He has developed the slog sweep, a shot that he didn't play earlier, and that should stand him in good stead against spinners. If Kohli can keep his IPL form, India can hope for great things.
JASPRIT BUMRAH (IND): The best bowler in the world across formats is at the top of his game.
During a disastrous IPL campaign for Mumbai Indians, he was the stand-out, taking 20 wickets at an economy rate of 6.5. On batting beauties, with no support from the other end, he kept delivering the goods, something that he would love to do for India on a stage as big as the
T20 World Cup
.
HEINRICH KLAASEN (SA): Many consider him as the best white-ball hitter in the game. Klaasen has the ability to destroy spinners, something that we don't always see South African batters do on a regular basis. Klaasen can be equally effective against pace and during Sunrisers Hyderabad's run to the IPL final, the right-hander showed that he can play at a lower gear as well when required only to pick it up at the right time.
TRAVIS HEAD (AUS): The man who virtually single-handedly won two finals - World Test Championship and ODI World Cup - for the Aussies. Head's fearlessness and ability to explode at the top went to a different level in the IPL, where he was batting at a ridiculous strike-rate of 191.5. If Head continues with his ability to take over big games for the country, don't be surprised if Australia make it a hat-trick of ICC titles.
ANDRE RUSSELL (WI): As KKR went on to become IPL champions, Russell's all-round shows went a bit under the radar. The West Indian scored some crucial runs for his team at a strike-rate of 185 and got 19 wickets bowling the difficult overs at the back-end. It's his current form and his experience of the big stage that make Russell a serious threat on home conditions.
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