The T20 World Cup 2022 officially starts on 16th October 2022. The first match will witness Sri Lanka taking on Namibia in the first-round qualifiers. However, because of the hard Australian pitches, fast bowlers traditionally get more assistance. But a decent spin bowler can also get a good purchase from the wicket if he bowls at a good line and length.
Subsequently, as the tournament progresses, spin bowlers will play a major role. Because the pitches will be used for several matches, they will get wear and tear. Consequently, the ball will grip and spin even more as those reused pitches become dry.
Almost every team in the tournament has one decent spin bowler in their squad. In addition, having a decent spin-bowling all-rounder can prove to be equally beneficial for any team. It is because they provide stability to their team with both bat and ball in hand.
Top 5 Spin Bowlers to watch out for in the Upcoming T20 World Cup 2022
Below are the top 5 spin bowlers who we think can create a huge impact for their teams in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2022.
1. Wanindu Hasaranga
The young Sri Lankan team would be riding high in confidence after their Asia Cup 2022 glory. They managed to beat powerhouses India and Pakistan to win the Asia Cup 2022. And one of their heroes was the spin-bowling all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga.
Since making his debut, Hasaranga has been a revelation for Sri Lanka. He is one of the world’s most successful T20 bowlers. In 44 T20I matches, leg-spinner Hasaranga has picked up 71 wickets at an average of 14.72.
In addition, he is proficient with the bat as well and he can strike the ball well. So, the Sri Lankan fans would be hoping to see him perform at his best if Sri Lanka wants to do well in the T20 World Cup 2022.
2. Rashid Khan
Rashid Khan is one of the prominent T20I spin bowlers in the world. He is perhaps the most fearsome T20I spin bowler who can pick wickets at his will. Rashid has achieved success in almost every global T20 league, including the Australian Big Bash League (BBL). Hence, he is quite familiar with the Australian pitches, thanks to his long BBL stint.
While playing for Afghanistan, he has picked up 118 wickets in 71 T20I matches at an average of 14.21. Additionally, he is a decent striker of the ball as well in the lower order.
3. Shadab Khan
Shadab Khan is Pakistan’s premium spin bowler who has created quite an impact with the ball lately. He is also the vice-captain of the limited overs Pakistan side and is someone who can pick up wickets at crunch moments for his team. IN 73 T20I matches, he has picked up 85 wickets at an average of 21.55.
In addition, he has improved leaps and bounds with his batting and can be promoted up the order if the team needs his explosive batting.
4. Adam Zampa
30-year-old Adam Zampa is Australia’s leading limited-overs spin bowler. He is known for his magical variations and can also spin the ball massively. In 67 T20I matches that he has played, Zampa has picked up 75 wickets at a reasonable bowling average of 22.10.
He was one of Australia’s top performers with the ball in their T20 World Cup 2021 victory. With the T20 World Cup 2022 scheduled in his home nation of Australia, the Australian team would be relying on him to deliver big this time around as well.
5. Axar Patel
Axar Patel has become a constant T20I spin bowler for India lately. Lately, he has filled the void left by India’s premier spin-bowling all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who suffered an injury during the Asia Cup 2022 and had to undergo surgery.
Axar Patel is someone who can bowl even in the power plays and slow down the scoring rate. In his short T20I career of 32 T20I matches, Patel has picked up 31 wickets at an average of 23.87. Most importantly, he is in the form of his life with both bat and ball. Thus, India would be hoping for him to deliver for the team and help India win an ICC tournament after a long wait.
Conclusion
Finally, the much-awaited T20 World Cup starts in a few days. Every team has tried to pick at least one decent spin bowler in their bowling arsenal. It is because they are hoping to see more turn and grip as the tournament progresses. Thus, spin bowlers are a luxury that every team needs, leading up to the T20 World Cup 2022.
