The T20 World Cup 2022 is around the corner. All the teams have completed their pre-tournament engagements. They are all gearing up for the big prize. The tournament is being played in Australia for the first time. This brings in a different challenge for all teams. Its the X-factor players who often end up being the difference in a side winning and losing. T20 World Cup 2022 isn’t devoid of such players.

We look at 5 X-factor players to Watch out for T20 World Cup:

#5 Dasun Shanaka

There were many questions regarding his captaincy candidature. But the results in recent times have put all those speculations to rest. Dasun Shanaka has played an instrumental role in Sri Lanka’s turnaround in recent times. He has contributed both with the bat and the ball in crucial junctures. Shanaka is among the top finishers in the shortest format. His biggest strength is his unassuming presence at the crease.

#4 Suryakumar Yadav

He is touted to be India’s 360 degree player. Suryakumar Yadav is India’s highest ranked T20I player. He is the second ranked batsmen in the world. Yadav is coming off a great run in T20Is this year. He stroked a brilliant century in England. Yadav was at his destructive best against Australia and South Africa at home. This will be his first tour down under. How Surya fares in the World Cup will have a huge impact on India’s fortunes.

#3 Jos Buttler

He is arguably the best T20I opener currently. Jos Buttler has regained form at the right time. He won the player of the series award against Australia recently. Buttler was on a record breaking spree earlier this year in IPL 2022. He smashed over 850 runs comprising 4 centuries. If he is anywhere near in T20 World Cup then England will be outright favourites for the T20 World Cup.

#2 Tim David

Easily the most exciting prospect in this year’s T20 World Cup. Tim David has made a strong start in Australian colours. He has looked every bit the finisher the Aussies expected him to be. David is a power-hitter for whom no boundary is big. He will be expected to finish games on more occasions than one. 

#1 Shaheen Shah Afridi

In the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, Shaheen Shah Afridi is the single biggest pace superstar in the T20 World Cup 2022. It was Afridi who blew away arch-rivals India in their very first game of T20 World Cup 2021. He is one bowler the Indians will be most wary of when they face off in an encore this time around. Afridi is returning from an injury, his match fitness will be in question. But expect nothing less than hostility when he returns to bowl.