ICC World T20: 10 power hitters expected to make an impact in the tournament

In the Twenty-20 format power hitters are by far the most crucial players of the teams, possessing the ability to turn a game overhead in a span of an over. Be it the epic Yuvraj Singh innings of 16-ball-58 where he slammed Stuart Broad for 6 sixes in an over or Colin Munro's 14-ball-50 against Sri Lanka, it has become very important for teams to have one of these slaughters.These batsmen are a bowler's nightmare and can also send mishits for giant sixes.Here are 10 batsmen who are expected to outmuscle the bowlers in the competition.

#1 Chris Gayle

For those who think he is out of form, let us say this - his name is Chris Gayle and you never define him by his form. Always known for his swashbuckling abilities, Gayle gives West Indies that X-Factor in the tournament at the top of the order.

His presence in the 22-yard strip even for 5 overs can spell doom for the opposition. Coming fresh from a 12-ball fifty, thereby matching Yuvraj’s record, Gayle would continue to be a thorn in the flesh for the teams. There is no need of saying that the opposition teams would like to see his back in the first over itself.

His only area of concern would be the knock-out stages, where he has been wanting a number of times in the past.

#2 Glenn Maxwell

This unorthodox right handed daredevil batsman has been Australia’s trump card in almost every limited overs game. Coming in at no. 4 or 5 and butchering the attack to all corners of the ground is nothing new for Maxwell.

The cricketing fraternity woke up to his compelling and brutal batting when he scored more than 90 in two matches against Chennai Super Kings in the IPL at a strike rate more than 200. In the ICC World T-20 2014, Maxwell launched an onslaught to score 74 off 33 balls against Pakistan in Australia’s first group stage match.

Maxwell currently has the highest strike-rate in Twenty-20 Internationals and with flat Indian tracks on offer he can just single-handedly win the match for his team.

#3 Colin Munro

Fresh at the International arena, the world did not pay much heed to this left-handed batsman until he smashed his way to a 14-ball fifty, the second fastest in International T20s leading New Zealand’s demolition of Sri Lanka.

After Brendon McCullum’s retirement, Munro seems to have picked up the onus of annihilating bowlers. In the warm-up match leading to the tournament, Munro bludgeoned to a 34-ball-67 in a win over Sri Lanka. Munro also holds an astonishing record of clearing the fence 23 times in a knock of 281 for Auckland against Central Districts.

Cricketing pundits are terming the Kiwis as potential title contenders many thanks to Munro’s frolics in the past few months.

#4 David Miller

Better known as ‘Killer Miller’, David has been consistent for the Proteas batting line-up over the past few years. Apart from his aggressive batting, South African unit depends on him for his composed ability to finish off matches.

He earned the nickname after his heroic effort of an unbeaten 101 from 38 balls saw his IPL franchise Kings XI Punjab defeat Royal Challengers Bangalore with two overs to spare. He posses an array of strokes, though most productive one being the heave over deep-mid wicket.

Miller holds the ability to provide a late impetus to the batting through his power hitting and that must be a worrying sign for all the other teams.

#5 M.S. Dhoni

The Indian skipper started off his cricketing journey with some unforgettable innings of 148 and 183* against Pakistan and Sri Lanka respectively. Those innings showed the world this man’s hitting power and since then his maturity regarding cricket has only gone upwards.

With the passage of time, MSD has added a smart cricketing brain to the dauntless batting approach to enlighten his armoury. Though critics have pointed at his dropping strike rate over the years but the cool-as-a-cucumber cricketing reminded all about his gallant strokes in the Asia Cup final.

Coming in at a tense situation where his team required 22 runs of 14 balls, Dhoni displayed ample courage and vigor to crack a 6-ball-20 and ensured India lift the trophy with a full over to spare. In the entire competition, Dhoni scored 42 runs of 15 balls at a strike rate of 280.

With his cricketing safari in the closing stages, Dhoni would like to lift another World Cup in front of home crowd and a lot will be depending on his batting powers.

#6 Ben Stokes

Ben Stokes has been in the limelight ever since his gigantic effort of 258 of 198 balls against South Africa in a Test Match. Stokes has been termed as the fulcrum of England’s future and surely this all-rounder has it in him to live up to that.

With a wide array of strokes in his arsenal, Stokes has showed to the teams what he has to offer to the English side when it comes to batting. Sending the ball over the ropes in no big deal for this left-hand bat, who thrives on fresh challenges.

Whether England can make it to the semis will depend a lot on Stoke’s performance with both the bat and the ball.

#7 Andre Russell

Russell’s debonair batting has been extensively visible in the IPLs where he possesses a strike rate of almost 180. Sadly, he has not been able to transform that success when he dons the West Indian colours.

Overall in T20 matches his strike rate is a staggering 167 and that reminds us of his game-changing capabilities. Russell being a vital cog in the West Indian team with his batting and bowling, needs to buck up if his team desire to win the competition for the second time.

If Gayle gets going, and Russell provides a late flourish the Indies can be expected to score more than 200 in every match. Russell will also have to let the ball do talking while defending scores.

#8 Corey Anderson

Anderson’s muscle power along with his handy medium pace fetched him 4.5 crores at the 2014 IPL auctions. His ability to send the ball to crowds with ease makes him one of the fearsome batsmen in modern day cricket.

Having played in twenty T20 Internationals Anderson has scored 229 runs in 13 innings at a strike rate of almost 145. He held the record for the fastest ODI century in 36 balls for some time before being eventually broken by AB de Villiers of South Africa.

In January 2016, Anderson smashed an unbeaten 82 of 42 balls to lead the Kiwis to a victory over Pakistan in a T20 International. New Zealand’s fortune in the competition will be in Anderson’s hands to a certain extent.

#9 Umar Akmal

Batting has been Pakistan’s Achilles Heel for long and one player who can take the opposition to the swords has to be Umar Akmal. Umar has been their most consistent batsman in T20s and his team will look up to him to hit the over boundaries.

Umar scored a fabulous 40-ball-93 in the Pakistan Super League, but his form in run up to this tournament has been less than satisfactory. Pakistan would like to forget their Asia Cup debacle through some fluent performances in the World Cup.

With the likes of Malik and Shehzad trying to hold fort, the obligation of power hitting like solely lie on the shoulders of Umar Akmal.

#10 Thisara Perera

With the Sri Lankan team trying to cope up with the retirements of stalwarts Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, the team currently is in a transition phase. Perera being a senior member of the team now can use the long handle very well.

The left-handed batsman’s strike rate in T20 Internationals is higher than 145 and he would need to use that to good effect if the Lankans wish for reclaiming the trophy. He has a habit of hitting huge sixes but consistency is not on his side when it comes to records.

Perera’s hard-hitting abilities will be tested to the full extent when he steps into the field and it remains to be seen if he does enjoy an upper hand on the bowlers.