Best T20 World XI ahead of ICC T20 World Cup 2022

The next ICC T20 World Cup is just a little more than three months away and fans are already debating over who is the best T20 player in the world. Many fans will be hoping their star players gain momentum, before the mega ICC event, and will be observing their performances in upcoming international matches.

Arguably the most celebrated T20 competition, the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 concluded with some unexpected surprises. Some big-name players with impressive statistical backup failed while some added more numbers to their names. It was an expected performance from the top-ranking players like Aiden Markram, KL Rahul, Josh Hazlewood, and Wanindu Hasaranga. Some star players struggled to play up to their reputation, but no one can write them off for the upcoming World Cup in Australia.

The Indian team ranks first in the ICC T20 rankings currently and is one of the leading contenders to lift the World Cup trophy in Australia. But the following list features only two Indian cricketers based on their stats, current form, and ICC rankings. There are no players from two-time T20 World Cup winners West Indies and last year’s runner-up New Zealand.

Here’s a look at the best T20 World XI:

1. Jos Buttler (WK)

The star English batter is in the form of his life, having played numerous mind-blowing knocks in this year’s Indian Premier League. He finished the season as the Orange Cap winner and was crucial in guiding Rajasthan Royals to the finals. Buttler equaled Virat Kohli’s record for most centuries in a single IPL season with four excellent hundreds. He also came very close to breaking Kohli’s highest-runs-in-a-season record but failed due to a short dry spell during the mid-season. He scored 863 runs in 17 matches, with an average of 57.53 and a strike rate of 149.05.

The 31-year-old star was brilliant in T20 World Cup 2021, where he was the only player to score a century. Buttler finished the tournament as the fourth-highest run-getter with 269 runs in six matches, with an average of 89.66 and strike rate of 151.12.

He remained unbeaten on three occasions and led the best average and strike-rate chart among top-ten players. Buttler currently ranks in 15th position in the ICC best T20I batters chart, only one English player ranks above him, Dawid Malan.