T20 World Cup 2016 is finally finished with its Super 10 stage and there has been some brilliant cricket in display. New Zealand topped the Group B followed by India, West Indies and England qualified from Group A. New Zealand would be facing England in the first Semi-Final whereas host India will play against West Indies in Mumbai in the second Semi-Final.
ICC World T20: The best XI of the Super 10 stage
There have been some great performances in the group stage and we came up with the team of the tournament. Let’s take a look at the best XI of the Super 10 stage:
Opening Batsman
Quinton de Kock (South Africa), (Wicket-Keeper)
He has been one of the stars for Proteas. He has been consistent with his bat throughout the tournament. He along with Amla helped South Africa post huge total of 230 although it was chased down by England. He scored total of 153 runs at an average of 38.25 with impressive strike rate of 142.99 and 52 being his highest score. Along with his batting he also fills as an all-rounder in this team with his wicket-keeping skills.
Usman Khawaja (Australia)
Khwaja has been the talk of Australian cricket for the last 2 years. He scored plenty of runs for Australia in red ball cricket and Big Bash League and forced his way into the side. His impressive form kept World No. 1 T20 batsman Aaron Finch out of the side for the first two matches. He continued his form during World T20 also as he scored 143 runs a t an average of 35.75 with impressive strike rate of 137.50 and 58 being his highest score.
Middle Order
Virat Kohli (India)
There was no doubt for the No. 3 spot. Kohli has been the highest run scorer in the Super 10 stage of ICC World T20 with 184 runs at an outstanding average of 92.00, more than his runs Kohli played match winning knocks against Pakistan and then even bettered it with knock of 82* against Australia in almost the knock out match. Kohli has been getting praises from all around the world after his these two knocks and has certainly shown the world that at this moment he is arguably the best batsman in white ball cricket. Only time will tell if he will be able to guide India to Second T20 world title but India is lucky to have services of Virat Kohli otherwise it would have been a tough ride for host nation.
Joe Root (England)
Root has been the best all round batsman for England in the last 2-3 years. His match winning innings of 83 against South Africa chasing 230 would be remembered for a long time. Root would be crucial for England in Semi Final against New Zealand and England would be hoping he continues his form. Root has already scored 168 runs and is second in the list after Virat Kohli.
Yuvraj Singh (India)
Yuvi although has not scored much in this World Cup but his two crucial innings against Pakistan and Australia helps him get the spot ahead of his counterparts like Maxwell, Buttler and others. Kolhi was the star of both the run chases but Yuvraj contribution could not be ignored too easily. His partnership in both the matches with Virat is one of the most important reasons why India has qualified for the Semi-Finals. Indian team would be hoping he recovers in time ahead of Semi Final clash against West Indies with his ankle twist and hit some big sixes on flat Mumbai track.
All-rounder
Shane Watson (Australia) (Captain)
Playing in his last international tournament Watson didn’t disappoint his fans and his team. His contribution with both bat and bowl helps him fill the all-rounder spot in the team. He picked 5 wickets at an impressive average of 20.60 and scored 96 runs at an strike rate of 150.0 in total of 4 matches he played. His innings of 44* against Pakistan was one of the best power hitting we have seen in long time. He also picked wickets with the new ball and always provided Australia with important wickets, with his 2 wickets against India he kept Australia in the game but Kohli got better of the Aussies and knocked them out of the tournament. With his experience in international cricket he get s a chance to captain this side.
Bowlers
James Faulkner (Australia)
He is known as the best depth bowler in the World and he once again showed why he is one of the most difficult bowlers to hit in shortest form of the game. He was once again brilliant with his cutters and slower ones. He picked up the first 5 wicket hall of the tournament against Pakistan 5/27. Faulkner picked up total 8 wickets at an impressive average of 13.25. Although Virat Kohli got better of him in the last match but still he performance in the World T20 was brilliant which helped him gain his place in the team of Super 10 stages in World T20.
Mitchell Santner (New Zealand)
He is one of the reasons why New Zealand found themselves in the Semi Final stages of the tournament. After the retirement of Vettori, Santner has big boots to fill but in his short career he didn’t disappoint at all. His Man of the Match performance against India was one of his best bowling spells of his career, he picked up 9 wickets in total of 4 matches at an outstanding average of 9.55. He has been one of the find for New Zealand team and management would be hoping he continues his from and spin the web around English batsman as well in the Semi Finals.
Ish Sodhi (New Zealand)
New Zealand doesn’t have history of producing good leg spinners but this boy of Indian origin has been in impressive from. He along with Santner has been turning the web around all the team. He also picked 8 wickets at an average of 9.75 in four matches he played. He along with Santner would be looking to exploit spinning conditions against England and take New Zealand to the second consecutive final of ICC event after World Cup 2015.
Mustafizur Rahman (Bangladesh)
This guy has been improving day by day. He once again tops the list of highest wicket takers along with Santner in Super 10 stage of World T20 with 9 wickets at an average of 9.55. He has been the backbone of Bangladesh bowling line up for the last 2 years. He variation in pace makes his one of the most difficult batsman to get away in T20 cricket. He suffered an injury during Asia Cup but recovered quickly and once again led the Bangladeshi attack but unfortunately his performances were not enough to help Bangladesh qualify for Semi Final stages.
Kyle Abbott (South Africa)
Abbott forced his way into this squad with some impressive performances in the built up of this tournament. He along with Rabbada led South African attack. He picked up total of 7 wickets in 3 matches at an average of 13.00. He bowled in crucial phases of match and always provided South Africa with wickets. He fills the third fast bowler spot in this team although his performance was not enough for South Africa to qualify for the knock out games.
Tags: Best XI, England, ICC World T20, India, New Zealand, T20 World Cup 2016, West Indies
