A wicketkeeper batsmen is regarded as an allrounder. The keeper-batsman ideally fills in two slots at the cost of one. This role becomes even more crucial in the game’s ultra shortest format. For most teams, it is this position that either makes or breaks the team.
We rank the top 5 wicketkeepers for T20 World Cup 2022:
#5 Dinesh Karthik / Rishabh Pant – India
They would ideally be ranked higher up on the list but there is a reason why they come in at number 5. Dinesh Karthik and Rishabh Pant are match winners on their given day. Both these keeper-batsmen have bailed India out on many occasions. Dinesh Karthik is one of the best finishers in the circuit currently. But what pegs them at fifth is the uncertainty over their spot in the playing XI. India still hasn’t decided who will be their first-choice keeper.
#4 Quinton De Kock – South Africa
He is one of the most fearsome openers in white ball cricket. Quinton De Kock is an experienced campaigner. He is grossly underrated despite putting most attacks to sword. Kock will know he has to go big right from ball one as his opening partner, Temba Bavuma is a slow starter. He is someone who loves pace on the ball. If he utilises the powerplay to the fullest, South Africa will be in a commanding position.
#3 Mohammad Rizwan – Pakistan
He is the world’s number one ranked T20I batter. Mohammad Rizwan is one of the most crucial assets for Pakistan. He forms a solid opening partnership with Babar Azam. Rizwan is mighty consistent but it’s his strike rate that remains an area of concern. His style of play is effective when it is a 150-160 game. Rizwan’s game is severely tested when Pakistan is asked to bat first. He will find the Australian conditions challenging.
#2 Matthew Wade – Australia
He was one of the unsung heroes of their championship win in the T20 World Cup 2021. Matthew Wade took to the finishers’ role as fish takes to water. He tore apart Pakistan’s pace sensation in the penultimate over of the semifinal. Wade has since then carried on his merry ways of runs scoring coming at the end overs. The home conditions of Australia will aid his style of play.
#1 Jos Buttler – England
He is arguably the most destructive T20I batter in world cricket. Jos Buttler had a fantastic IPL smashing 862 runs. He went past David Warner’s 6-year-old record of 848 runs in the IPL. It was just about the time that Buttler almost hit the ceiling. Leading the side, the onus is now more than ever on Buttler to deliver. If he has a successful outing as a batsman, England will go a long way into the tournament.
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