T20 WC 2021: Team of the tournament
The T20 World Cup 2021 is done and dusted with Australia lifting the elusive title. The Men in Yellow defeated their Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand by eight wickets in the final clash to get the glory. It was indeed a fascinating competition as several games went down to the wire. Also, several expectations were defied as neither Australia nor New Zealand, the finalists, were deemed favourites ahead of the tournament.
Team India’s exit before the knock-out stage was also a massive shock. However, the saying goes – the only thing certain in cricket is uncertainty. While only Australia got their hands on the title, players from several teams made a mark. While some made their bat talk, many also breathed fire with the ball.
Meanwhile, let’s look at the team of the T20 World Cup 2021:
- David Warner
The ‘Player of the Tournament’ was certain to feature in this line-up. Warner was under the pump heading to the competition as he suffered a horrendous run in this year’s IPL. However, the southpaw silenced his critics with several spectacular knocks. Overall, he scored 289 runs in seven matches.
- Babar Azam (C)
While Warner was the second-leading run-getter of the tournament, Babar Azam topped the batting charts. Standing in his first ICC event as captain, Azam led his troop brilliantly and took Pakistan to the semi-finals. He scored 303 runs in six games including four half-centuries. He’s also the captain of this elite team.
- Mitchell Marsh
Several questions were raised when Australia gave the number three slot to Mitchell Marsh instead of Steve Smith. However, the all-rounder justified the decision. He played several brilliant knocks including a blistering 77 in the finals. Not to forget, he also contributed with the ball. He, in total, scored 185 runs in five innings.
- Jos Buttler (WK)
Although Buttler opens for England in T20Is, he finds the number four slot in this line-up. The wicketkeeper played some sensational knocks and gave England fiery starts consistently. He slammed a total of 269 runs in the tournament.
- Charith Asalanka
Although Sri Lanka couldn’t do much in the competition, Charith Asalanka impressed one and all with his batting blitzes. The youngster scored 231 runs in six games with his strike rate being close to 150.
- Moeen Ali
Besides Buttler, Moeen Ali was also instrumental in taking England to the semi-finals. The all-rounder contributed well in all three departments. He scored a total of 92 runs and scalped seven wickets in the tournament.
- Wanindu Hasaranga
Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga is the other all-rounder in the line-up. The leg-spinner was the highest wicket-taker of the tournament with 16 scalps. He also played several handy knocks.
- Adam Zampa
While the focus was on Australia’s three-man pace attack, Adam Zampa spun his web and tormented several batters. He took 13 wickets in the tournament.
- Trent Boult
Boult was unarguably New Zealand’s best bowler in the tournament. He took wickets regularly without conceding a lot of runs. Overall, he dismissed 13 batters.
- Shaheen Afridi
Barring that disastrous over to Matthew Wade, Shaheen Afridi was sensational in the competition. The left-arm speedster took a total of seven wickets.
- Anrich Nortje
South Africa’s Anrich Nortje will complete the line-up. The speed merchant constantly troubled batters with his blistering pace. He took a total of nine wickets in five games.
