T20 World Cup 2024: Ten players to watch out for

Jasprit Bumrah Image: Photo by Alex Davidson-ICC/ICC via Getty Images
 
Cricket fans are set to be taken for yet another round of world cricket as the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 gets underway on June 2 in the US for the very first time. The showpiece event will see 20 teams fighting for the world title with the USA and West Indies to host the matches. It will be the ninth edition of the T20 World Cup—the format that has reinvented how the game of cricket is played.
 

The 20 teams have been distributed into four groups and after the first round, the top two teams from each group will proceed to the super eights, followed by semis and the final. Each team has come to the event with their best possible line-ups and the tournament is expected to be a blockbuster. Like in every edition, a few standout players are likely to bring life to the tournament and give fans an unforgettable experience. Here are Forbes India’s top ten players to watch out for in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

1. Jasprit Bumrah (India)

T20 cricket is mostly about batters—the sixes and fours—but there’s a famous saying that goes, “Batters win you games but bowlers win you tournaments”, and Jasprit Bumrah is the kind of bowler who has every ingredient in his bowling to win his team the trophy. However, despite his skillset and consistent performances in the world events, Bumrah is yet to see his team win an ICC trophy. This makes the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 much more important for him as he would be eager to finally touch the much-prized gold of the World Cup trophy. He has been in phenomenal shape lately with his performances in the just-concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) where he picked up 20 wickets in 13 matches. It won’t be a surprise if he ends the World Cup as one of the top performers.

Rashid Khan Image: Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images

2. Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)

There is rarely an event that Rashid Khan takes part in and doesn’t leave a mark. He has emerged as one of the best, if not the best, T20 bowlers in the world over the years. He takes part in almost every T20 league across the globe and spins his magic like no one else. This year he has been handed the captaincy of Afghanistan and with added responsibility, he could become much more dangerous. Although he has had some struggles in the recent past after coming back from an injury, he seems to be getting his groove back. He didn’t put the IPL on fire this season but still had a decent season. Khan not only brings his magical leg-spin to the table but can be more than handy with the bat as well. Afghanistan will also need his leadership skills to come to the fore for them to have a good outing in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

Travis Head Image: Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images
 

3. Travis Head (Australia)

When we talk about world events, how can Travis Head not be a part of the conversation? In his short career so far, he has already won Australia some of their biggest games in the recent past, including the finals of ICC World Cup 2023. The left-handed batter is only getting better with time. In the just-concluded IPL 2024, Head was breathing fire as he scored 567 runs in 15 matches at a staggering strike rate of 191.55 (best in the tournament for batters with 500+ runs).  He, alongside young Abhishek Sharma, took T20 batting to the next level by almost hitting every other ball out of the park. Head would try to continue his blitz in the T20 World Cup 2024 and is undoubtedly one of the top batters to look forward to in the tournament.

Jofra Archer Image: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

4. Jofra Archer (England)

After earning the title of one of the scariest bowlers in the world, Jofra Archer suddenly drifted off the scene due to injuries. However, the England cricketer is finally back in action and would look to make an instant impression in the T20 World Cup 2024. Archer is known for his speed—frequently bowling in high 140s—that too with amazing accuracy. He returned to international cricket a few days back in the T20I series against Pakistan and seemed to be doing fine. The pacer picked up two wickets and was also handy with the bat down the order. England, the defending champions, are coming to the World Cup with a thin bowling line-up, which makes Archer’s role much more important to their cause.

Rachin Ravindra Image: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

5. Rachin Ravindra (New Zealand)

Young Rachin Ravindra was one of the revelations of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023. But many thought he didn’t have the T20 prowess in him. However, with his blitz in IPL 2024, Ravindra showed another side to his scintillating batting. He showed he could go berserk from ball one and provide his team with a good and quick start at the top. He bowls useful left-arm spin as well, making him a more prized player for the Kiwis. In the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, players like Ravindra will be in high demand since pitches are expected to be on the slower side. The 24-year-old has a great ability to play both through the ground and go the aerial route. New Zealand have come close to lifting the World Cup trophy in the last few editions and they would fancy their chances once again in the USA and West Indies.

Also read: IPL 2024: Once forgotten, Shivam Dube is now a frontrunner for India's World Cup squad

Fakhar Zaman Image: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

6. Fakhar Zaman (Pakistan)

Fakhar Zaman is known for his T20 heroics and has been around for a long time. He steps up for Pakistan in almost every major event. He is once again going to be the key to the men-in-green’s success in the global event. Zaman has historically opened the innings but in the last few years, he has been given the responsibility in the middle-order and more often than not he doesn’t disappoint. The left-handed batter is capable of playing those mighty quick knocks and getting his team out of tough situations. His role becomes much more important in the current Pakistan squad since no other batter strikes as well as he does. The experienced campaigner is in good touch and he is displaying it quite well in the ongoing T20I series against England.

Tristan Stubbs Image: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

7. Tristan Stubbs (South Africa)

With some of the top T20 talents named in the squad, South Africa looks like one of the strongest teams on paper. Tristan Stubbs, the explosive batter, is one such young talent who could put the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 on fire. He was in tremendous form in the IPL 2024 for Delhi Capitals. The right-handed batter scored 378 runs in 13 innings at an average of 54 and a strike rate of 190.90. The most interesting thing about his batting is the intent. He doesn’t hold back from taking the risk, irrespective of the conditions and opposition. His wide range of strokes from all sides of the ground makes his job a little easier. South Africa has experienced the duo of Aiden Markram and Heinrich Klaasen at the top and middle, so Stubbs will need to do the tough job of finishing the innings.

Matheesha Pathirana Image: Farooq Naeem / AFP
 

8. Matheesha Pathirana (Sri Lanka)

Matheesha Pathirana will be one of the most unique bowlers taking part in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. His ‘slingy’ bowling action is one of a kind and often bamboozles even the top batters. On top of it, Pathirana is extremely quick—he frequently bowls at 145 kmph—and has good variations under his belt. He was at his very best for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2024, although he was returning from an injury and had to miss some matches due to international duty as well. Despite that, he picked up 13 wickets in 6 matches and bowled some rippers in his short stay. The young speed gun will have to bring on his A game to ensure Sri Lanka stands a chance to make a case for themselves in the World Cup.

Andre Russell Image: Sarah Reed/Getty Images

9. Andre Russell (West Indies)

The Windies all-rounder is one of the most dangerous T20 players in the world. When he gets going with the bat, it is almost impossible to stop him. He will be playing at his home and knowing the conditions well, he could unleash himself and make things tough for all the opposite teams. He had an impressive IPL 2024, contributing with both bat and ball in Kolkata Knight Riders’ successful campaign. The flamboyant cricketer scalped 19 wickets in 14 innings and scored 222 runs in 9 innings with the bat. Russell, when fit, is a weapon in all three departments. West Indies has had a terrible time in international cricket in the last few years but this World Cup at home could enforce their revival and to do that, they will need Andre Russell to step up.

Corey Anderson Image: Daniel Pockett - CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images

10. Corey Anderson (United States of America)

Remember Corey Anderson, the left-handed destructive batter who bowled decent pace as well for New Zealand? He is now the main man for the United States of America’s international cricket team, bringing years of experience to the table. Anderson not only contributes to both batting and bowling for the USA but also helps the players learn the different nuances of playing at the highest level. He has been in decent touch, especially with the bat, in recent times, and will try to continue helping his team in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. USA recently stunned Bangladesh to win the three-match T20 series by 2-1 and Anderson played a decent part in it. He will play a crucial role for them in their first big event.