Get set to catch the stars of the slam bang game

Cricket World T20

There is little doubt in anyone’s mind that the T20 format was created for batsmen. So much so that some skippers have even gone on record saying the fans wish to see fours and sixes and not bucketful of wickets.

But bowlers are not mere spectators and we do have a clutch of them who can tie down the best of batsmen. Here’s a look at the key men...

* Virat Kohli (India): One of the finest batsman of this generation, the temperamental yet high-on-confidence Kohli has been the pillar of India’s batting over the last seven years. A man who thrives on the big stage and has a special fondness for tough chases, the Delhiite has been in sensational form on the road to this World T20. At the last World T20 he ended up as the highest scorer with 319 runs and if he can repeat the heroics, India will be served well.
* AB de Villiers (South Africa): Outrageous, sensational, marvellous, jaw-dropping, astonishing.... scribes and commentators have to constantly look out for adjectives to describe this immensely gifted all-round athlete while he goes about dismantling the best of bowlers nonchalantly. The fastest to 50, 100 and 150 runs in ODIs, fan favourite ABD is simply one batsman no bowler wants to have a go at. Ask his own team-mate Dale Steyn!

* Chris Gayle (West Indies): When the big West Indian is in a mood, there in no ground in the world that can contain his bludgeoning blows. Sadly for bowlers, he seems to be in a mood quite often. If he goes berserk, fielders have to take position in the stands.

* Glen Maxwell (Australia): Known as the Big Show, audacious Maxwell is one batsman who can tee off in top gear from the word go. A rival captain’s nightmare thanks to his reverse sweeps and unconventional shot-making, Maxwell can the take the game away just like that.

* David Warner (Australia): A renowned motor mouth, Warner is one person who can make his hammer-like bat do plenty of talking as well. Short and muscular, the Australian has been in devastating form across all formats. Australia trialled him in middle-order during the South Africa but top of the order is where he can most brutal.

* Rohit Sharma (India): At a time when patience of many fans was wearing thin, the Indian think-tank chose to stick with him despite growing criticism. Things changed completely in January 2013 when skipper MS Dhoni promoted him as opener and the Mumbaikar has never looked back since.

* Jos Buttler (England): Buttler has struggled to make a lasting impact in Tests but in coloured clothing, he’s a totally different operator, having slammed England’s fastest three ODI centuries. This World T20 presents a perfect opportunity for the Somerset lad to make a name for himself.

* Martin Guptill (New Zealand): Perhaps the least glamorous in this list of marauding batsmen, Guptill is a very dangerous opener in the middle of a superb run. While he can sometimes get carried away and throw his wicket, when he is on song, he’s an absolute delight to watch.

Bowlers:

* Mohammad Amir: The time – five years – spent away from top-flight cricket hasn’t one bit diminished the quality of Amir’s bowling. Though he took some time to dust off his rustiness, the left-arm quick appears to have regained his pace and swing. He was sensational during Asia Cup where pitches did aid him but he will be handy even on docile Indian surfaces.

* R Ashwin: It’s hard to think of more effective spinner in the sprint format. The off-spinner has taken 17 wickets in the last 10 T20Is he has played played and 13 off seven matches played in the sub-continent. Needless to say, he will be Dhoni’s go-to man.

* Imran Tahir: The leg-spinner has had a good run in the build up to the World T20. With 10 wickets in the last five T20Is, all in South Africa, the 36-year-old has had encouraging results. With the conditions likely to suit Tahir in India, he will be expected to play a crucial role for South Africa.

* Adam Milne: Having remained injury free, the wiry fast bowler will be expected to play a key role even on the batsman-friendly wickets given his sheer pace. The 23-year-old has been in good shape for New Zealand with his wicket-taking abilities.

* Dale Steyn: The veteran pacer isn’t the same old force but given his vast experience and the sharpness he still he possesses, Steyn can be lethal on his day. No stranger to Indian conditions and perhaps appearing in his last World T20, the South African is sure to give it his all.