T20 World Cup 2021: Predicting strongest playing XIs of all teams

As fans are inching closer towards the T20 World Cup (WC) 2021, the frenzy and excitement have truly come alive over the last few months. The hype is real as cricket fans are going to witness an ICC tournament after a gap of two years.

Several teams have already announced their squad whereas the others are about to. While every squad consists of reserve players owing to the COVID-19 protocols, the players who’d take the field will still be 11. Thus, every team needs to decide their playing XI.

Deciding the playing XI isn’t an easy job as all the players in a squad would be good enough to get in the XI. Besides, getting your team combination right is very important. So what would the playing XI of each team look like going into the T20 WC? Today we shall be predicting

Strongest playing XIs of all qualified teams for T20 World Cup

1) England

England have been unlucky as Stokes and Archer, two of their key players are all set to miss the T20 World Cup. Nevertheless, their team still looks strong on paper. They have an explosive opening pair in the form of Jason Roy and Jos Buttler.

Malan would play the role of an anchor and thus, would accommodate the number 3 spot. England’s hard hitters Bairstow and Livingstone would then bat at 4 and 5 respectively. The English skipper Morgan is all set to play the role of a finisher and thus, bat slightly down the order at 6.

England’s genuine all-rounder Moeen Ali would then bat at 7 followed by the bowlers. England’s pace attack would comprise of Chris Jordan, Chris Woakes and Mark Wood. Last but not the least, Morgan’s most trustworthy bowler Adil Rashid would be their spinner.

Predicted Playing XI: Jason Roy, Jos Buttler (WK), Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow, Liam Livingstone, Eoin Morgan (C), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood

2) Australia

Despite losing 7 out of their last 10 T20Is, Australia would still be going into the T20 WC as one of the favorites. One of the major reasons for that is the return of their key players. Arguably one of the best opening pairs going around at the moment, Warner and Finch will be the Aussie openers this time around as well.

With the return of Steve Smith, he is expected to bat at 3 followed by M.Marsh who is in the form of his life. Glenn Maxwell is expected to play the role of a finisher and would be batting at 5. The big unit Marcus Stoinis is expected to make the XI as the Aussies clearly lack firepower towards the end and the Aussie all-rounder seems the solution to this problem.

The wicketkeeper Josh Inglis, who is yet to make his debut has managed to impress all the cricket pundits and looks all set to make his debut in the T20 WC. The seasoned campaigners Starc and Cummins are likely to be Australia’s pacers and a lot lies on their shoulders. The spin duo of Agar and Zampa have been in good form of late and are all set to spin their web on their opposition batsmen.

Predicted Playing XI: Aaron Finch (C), David Warner, Steve Smith, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis (WK), Marcus Stoinis, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Adam Zampa

3) India

India have plenty of options when it comes to selecting their playing XI. This is because of their strong bench strength. Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul are all set to open the innings for India.

Their captain Virat Kohli would bat at his preferred position i.e. at 3 followed by Suryakumar Yadav. The talented keeper-batsman Rishabh Pant would be expected to bat at 5 and play the role of a finisher. A lot will be expected from the experienced all-rounders from Gujarat namely Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja who would be batting at 6 and 7 respectively.

The spinners will have maximum chances owing to the pitch situation of the UAE. The seasoned pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar are all set to bowl in tandem after a really long time. Last but not the least, the spin attack will be led by Ravi Ashwin.

Predicted Playing XI: Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul (WK), Virat Kohli (C), Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravi Ashwin, Rahul Chahar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah

4) New Zealand

The Kiwis are the dark horse going into the tournament. They have almost all their bases covered. Their opening pair comprises of the veteran Guptill and the talented keeper Seifert.

The Kiwi skipper Williamson would then bat at 3 and is expected to play the role of an anchor. The blue-eyed boy of New Zealand Devon Conway is expected to bat at 4 for the Kiwis this time around. Phillips and Neesham would be batting at 5 and 6 as they’ll need some firepower.

Santner will be the spin all-rounder and seems all set to bat at 7. Ferguson and Boult are expected to be the frontline pacers for Williamson’s boys. Owing to the conditions in UAE, Astle, and Sodhi are expecting to bowl in the middle overs for New Zealand

Predicted Playing XI: Martin Guptill, Tim Seifert (WK), Kane Williamson (C), Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Todd Astle, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, Ish Sodhi

5) West Indies

Like every T20 World Cup, the West Indies enter the tournament with the favourites tag. Their muscle power is second to none. To add to this, they have several match-winner on their side.

Lewis and Simmons are all set to be the openers followed by the Universe Boss Chris Gayle. Shimron Hetmyer is expected to muscle the ball while batting at 4 followed by their talented keeper-batsman Pooran. Their skipper Pollard is all set to bat at 6

The Jamaican powerhouse Russell seems set to bat at 6 and be their “X-Factor” followed by the Charismatic all-rounder DJ Bravo. Fabian Allen is going to be WI’s spin all-rounder and bat at 9.  McCoy and Rampaul can be the frontline pacers since the latter would be keen on marking a comeback and can be beneficial for the team.

Predicted Playing XI: Evin Lewis, Lendl Simmons, Chris Gayle, Shimrom Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran (WK), Kieron Pollard (C), Andre Russell, DJ Bravo, Fabian Allen, Obed McCoy, Ravi Rampaul

6) Pakistan

Pakistan made some shocking selection calls ahead of the T20 WC. While a few of the regulars were dropped, a few talented players were picked in the side. Pakistan’s captain and star batsman Babar Azam is all set to lead the side and open the innings with the talented wicketkeeper-batsman Rizwan.

Following them would be the veteran all-rounder Hafeez who would bat at 3. Maqsood and Khan are expected to bat in the middle order at 4 and 5 respectively. Asif Ali, despite all the criticism, is expected to play the role of a finisher and bat at 6.

Imad Wasim and Shadab Khan are expected to be the spin all-rounders and bat in the lower middle order. Shaheen Afridi is all set to lead the Pakistani pace attack. Hasan Ali and Haris Rauf are expected to come in handy at the death and provide support to Afridi.

Predicted Playing XI: Babar Azam (C), Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Maqsood, Azam Khan, Asif Ali, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf

7) South Africa

The Proteas look like a force to reckon. Despite their topsy-turvy form of late, one can expect them to do well in the T20 World Cup this time around. Their opening pair would consist of the world-class wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock and classy Reeza Hendricks.

The talented Aiden Markram is expected to bat at 3 followed by their skipper Temba Bavuma. The Mr. Consistent of the South African side Rassie van der Dussen is expected to bat at 5. The experienced David Miller is all set to play the role of a finisher and bat at 6.

A lot will be expected from the two express pacers Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje. Last but not the least, the number one ranked T20I bowler Shamsi will be South Africa’s main spinner. He’s expected to get assistance from Maharaj.

Predicted Playing XI: Quinton de Kock (WK), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma (C), Rassie Van Der Dussen, David Miller, Dwaine Pretorius, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tarbraiz Shamsi

8) Afghanistan

Afghanistan have always managed to spring a few surprises time and again. It wouldn’t be a surprise if they manage to beat a few top teams in this tournament. They’ve got a really balanced side this time around.

The hard hitter Hazratullah Zazai accompanied by their keeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz will form their opening combination. Karim and the experienced Shahid are likely to bat at 3 and 4 respectively. The skipper Afghan again is expected to bat in the middle order followed by the all-rounder Naib.

Then comes the impactful Afghan all-rounder Nabi at 8 followed by the Afghan superstar Rashid at 9. Mujeeb is all set to be their third spinner and is expected to bowl with the new ball. Last but not the least, Naveen-ul-Haq is going to be their specialist pace bowler.

Predicted Playing XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Haztatullah Zazai, Karim Janat, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Najibullah Zardan, Asghar Afghan, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi (C), Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq