T20 World Cup 2021: Best XI of under-rated players

The 2021 T20 World Cup is coming towards its end. This tournament has defined what the shortest format is all about in real. It’s been a package of surprises with some stellar performances by not only just the top contenders but also by the underdogs.

Overall, this tournament has been a treat to the eye for every cricket fanatic around the world. From swashbuckling innings to some swinging deliveries, players from every team have been impeccable in this tournament.

We have seen some quality cricketing displays from each team. But some players have just shown their caliber for the team; who deserves some good amount of recognition.

1. Jatinder Singh (Oman)

Though Oman was one of the tournament hosts, the team didn’t get through the Qualifiers stage and couldn’t perform as a team. But, there were a few players from the squad who were good enough in their performance. One of them was the Indian-born Omani opener, Jatinder Singh.

He was the sole and crucial run-getter for the Omani side. His swashbuckling innings of 72 runs off 42 balls against Papua New Guinea (PNG) did display some quality batting from the opener.

The right-hander has made some commendable efforts by making 113 runs in his three-match qualifiers campaign. Also, with an average of 56.50 and a strike rate of 148 in the tournament, he has been quite underrated in the tournament’s top performers list and can be the X-Factor for his team.

2. Daryl Mitchell (New Zealand)

Daryl Mitchell is one of those batters that has shown their class caliber in the shortest format. The opening combination of him and Martin Guptill has been one of the plus points of the Kiwi squad.

Known for his semi-final heroics of 72 runs off 47 deliveries against England, he was one of the main pillars behind taking New Zealand’s first WT20 finale match. Not just that, he was also quite handy with the bat against India with a clinical 49 runs off 35 deliveries.

In the tournament, he has made 197 runs in his six-match campaign. He has a decent average of 39.4 and a strike rate of 140. As the numbers suggest, he has the potential to make a long-lasting impact in the T20I world through his performance.

3. Rassie van der Dussen (South Africa)

Even after winning most of their matches, South Africa couldn’t make it to the ending stages of the tournament. With an inexperienced side, South Africa has displayed some valour performance as a whole team.

Rassie van der Dussen is probably one of the most underrated batsmen the cricketing world has ever seen. Not only in this WT20 tournament, but he was impeccable in the 2019 World Cup for the Proteas.

He happens to be the highest run-getter for the South African squad by making 177 runs in just five matches. He also has a decent strike rate of 120 and has an average of 59 off his bat.

4. Charith Asalanka (Sri Lanka)

When it comes to a team with a mixture of inexperience and determination, it has to be the Sri Lankan lions. Though they haven’t qualified to the semi-finals, the team’s emerging players have been in talks for quite a time.

And one of them is Charith Asalanka. A batsman who is known for his controlled aggression and power hitting. He can middle the ball with ease.

As his performance suggests, he can be the next big thing coming up for Sri Lanka and the T20I world. In the tournament, he has scored 231 runs in just six matches. With an average of 38.75, he’s the top run-scorer of Sri Lanka and the fifth-highest run-scorer in the tournament.

5. Asif Ali (Pakistan)

When we talk about a T20I game, it’s not just about a player’s highest runs or wicket count. It’s all about the impact made by the player, which can turn the match at any point in time. And Asif Ali acts as the best example for it.

Though he had just made a mere 52 runs in his six-match campaign, his last-moment batting prowess came into the picture. He has made a swashbuckling 27 runs off just 12 balls against New Zealand. He has also made a wholesome 25 runs off seven balls against Afghanistan, where he has struck four sixes.

Though the numbers are pretty low, Asif Ali has a staggering strike rate of 226. As mentioned earlier, the T20I format is all about impact.

6. Shimron Hetmyer (West Indies)

Even with a strong and experienced lineup, the defending champions, West Indies didn’t have a great run in this tournament. Also, this is the first time since 2012 that the Men in Maroon got knocked out in an ICC WT20 tournament.

But there were a few players who have shown their proper game on-field. And one of them would be Shimron Hetmyer. As he had an impressive stint in the previous edition IPL, many had high expectations of him. And he has matched it with his batting.

In the tournament, he has scored 127 runs in his five-match campaign. He is also having a decent average of 31.75 in this tournament. His highest score was a clinical 81 runs off just 54 balls.

7. Dwaine Pretorius (South Africa)

Dwaine Pretorius is probably one of the most underrated player’s in this tournament. This tall and skilled player has been impeccable with his bowling skills for the Proteas.

Though being an all-rounder, Pretorius couldn’t make an impact with the bat. But his top-notch pace deliveries have done the trick. He has been an economical and a wicket-taking bowler.

In the tournament, he has scalped nine wickets in just five matches. Also, he has an economy rate of 6.88. He has also grabbed two three-wicket hauls against West Indies and Sri Lanka, respectively.

8. Maheesh Theekshana (Sri Lanka)

Maheesh Theekshana, an emerging Sri Lankan off-break bowler, is someone worth checking out. His performance in this tournament with the spin and turns has been commendable.

Not only he has an ability to scalp wickets, but he is also an economic bowler. With Wanindu Hasaranga, this Sri Lankan spinning-duo was dangerous enough for the batsmen to face their spin and turns.

In the tournament, Maheesh Theekshana plucked eight wickets in just seven matches. Having an impeccable economy rate of 5.48, he’s one of the most underrated players from the tournament.

9. Adil Rashid (England)

Some might remember Adil Rashid‘s top-notch performances in the 50-over format, as his ODI numbers suggest (159 wickets in 112 matches and an economy rate of 5.65). But, his skills in the shortest form are highly underrated.

Adil Rashid is probably one of the best leg-spinners in the white-ball form of cricket. His googlies can confuse any batter. Rashid’s record in this tournament is scalping nine wickets in just six matches, with an economy rate of 6.53. His four-wicket haul (4/2) against West Indies is enough to comprehend his caliber.

10. Haris Rauf (Pakistan)

Got his limelight after a stellar performance in the Big Bash League (BBL), Haris Rauf is a quality pacer who has got a bright future with the sport. During the 2020 BBL edition, he scalped 20 wickets in 10 matches, including a hattrick for the Melbourne Stars.

After that BBL performance, he got a call for the national side. He has played the white-ball formats for the country and has proved to be economical and a wicket-taking bowler. Coming to his performance in this tournament, he has taken eight in just five matches. His four-wicket haul (4/32) against the Kiwis has been the highlight of his deliveries.

11. Tymal Mills (England)

Tymal Mills was a star in white-ball cricket, especially in the 2017 period. Known for his quick pace and some smart slow deliveries, Tymal Mills did show his potential to the cricketing world in that period. But being prone to injuries have hindered his form in the white-ball format. He also didn’t play in the international circuits for quite a long time. 

But after a four years halt, he got a comeback call. As his tournament’s performance, he didn’t lose his touch and went on playing with his caliber. Tymal Mills has taken seven wickets in his four-match campaign. He has also taken a clinical three-wicket (3/27) haul against Bangladesh.