5 less talked about players who can make an impact in the T20 World Cup

The super 10 stage of the 2016 T20 World Cup is almost upon us, all the calculations and speculations about this year’s performers have started. The hype to this edition has been more than any other T20 world cup in the past and India is expected to serve as the perfect venue for this mega event.Ever since it’s inception in 2007, t20 world cup has seen some of the biggest stars take the world by storm through their blazing performances. May it be Yuvraj Singh’s 6-sixes of Stuart Broad in 2007 or Michael Hussey’s extraordinary innings against Pakistan in the 2010 Semi Final, these moments have left a long lasting impact on the minds of the cricket fans. But for every Yuvraj or Hussey, there was always a young Rohit Sharma or Mohammad Aamir who entered the tournament as a less known face but came out of it as the future star. The rise was not always limited to youngsters, even an ageing Misbah-ul-Haq found his place in the international cricket through the t20 World Cup.As as the tournament gets all set to be held in India for the first time, let's have a look at some of the players who are not being talked about so much but may prove vital in their team’s campaign.

#5 David Miller

Miller could be South Africa’s trump card

When you are playing in a team that has Hashim Amla, Quinton De Kock, Faf Du Plessis, AB de Villiers and JP Duminy as the top 5 batsmen you may find opportunities to come hardy by but if there’s one player in the world who could have managed to make the most of those opportunities and turn himself into a true match winner is David Miller.

Famously known as Miller the ‘Killer’, he is one of the most underrated players in the South African team. The big-hitting left-hander has an array of shots and is one the best finisher of the game around these days. The 26-year old has the ability to win games from any situation.

The recently appointed Kings 11 captain has enjoyed batting in the Indian conditions and formed a destructive partnership with Glenn Maxwell in the IPL. Indian fans must be well aware of his capabilities with the bat. Miller holds the record of third fastest century (101 off 38 balls) in the IPL. His form will be very important for South Africa’s chances specially while chasing big targets.

His record in international cricket does not justify his potential completely. He has managed to go past the score of 50 only once in T20 internationals. Miller would be eager to improve upon that number and what could be a better place than India.

#4 Colin Munro

Colin Munro can be the man to watch out for

Even though he is already 29, Colin Munro is relatively young at the international stage. With a strike rate of 160 in t20 internationals, he could just be the man New Zeland required to replace their dashing batsman Brendon McCullum. Batting at 3, Munro represents the same attacking brand of cricket which has led to New Zeland’s rise in the last couple of years.

He has been in scintillating form in 2016 and also holds the record for 2nd fastest fifty (14 balls) in t20 internationals. Munro is another one of those players who is entering the World Cup with a very good form. Corey Andreson called him “A hell of a player” after his 34 ball-67 runs innings against Sri Lanka in the warm-up match.

In a team that has big hitters like Martin Guptill and Corey Anderson, Colin Munro might not be the player teams would be worried about but if they make that mistake they should be ready for a surprise.

His ability to score quick runs makes him a perfect fit for this Kiwi side.With the batting-friendly conditions in India, we could expect Colin Munro to make some headlines.

#3 Marlon Samules

West Indies will need Marlon’s experience

It seems like Marlon Samuels has been representing West Indies forever now. Having made his debut in 2000, Samuels has already seen too many ups and downs in his career. Once banned from international cricket he has become a player who simply cannot be dropped from the side.

He is one of those players who are often underestimated by the opposition but can destroy any bowling attack on their day. Every time West Indian team will come out to play the focus will be on the big-hitting Chris Gayle. However, Samuels’ form will be important to West Indies chances especially in the absence of Keiron Pollard and Lendl Simmons. His experience will also be important for a relatively non-experienced side.

Marlon Samuels reached the peak of his career in the final of 2013 t20 World Cup where he scored 78 runs off 56 balls and helped West Indies lift the trophy. Two years later the same competition saw him become a villain against the same opposition. His uncharacteristic 29 ball – 18 run innings resulted in West Indies’ elimination from the 2014 edition of T20 World Cup.

At 35, Samuels might be playing his last ICC competition and would like to right his wrong.

#2 Alex Hales

Alex Hales will have to provide quick starts to England

Standing 6 feet, 5 inches tall, Alex Hales is one of the most destructive opening batsmen in the world at present. Often criticized in the cricketing circle for his poor technique, Alex Hales becomes a completely different batsman when it comes to limited overs cricket.

Undoubtedly in the form of his life, Alex Hales is one the players who have played an important role in the dramatic turnover of English team in last one year or so. Brought into the team after the 2015 World Cup he has been instrumental in revolutionizing English cricket.

In the recently concluded ODI series against South Africa, he scored 383 runs in 5 innings which saw 4 half centuries and one century. He even went on to win Man of the series award for his brilliant display.

Such is the hardship of modern day cricket that leave Hales, not even England is seen as a threat in this edition of the World Cup. After a disastrous 50 over World Cup, Eoin Morgan’s men face a tough task of rebuilding their reputation and if they want to come anywhere close to that, Alex Hales needs to fire at the top.

His job will be to give a firing start to England and set up Morgan and Butler to unleash themselves towards the later end of the innings. After been overlooked in the IPL auctions he surely has a point to prove.

#1 Mitchell Marsh

Mitchell Marsh will have to come good with bat as well as bowl

A hard-hitting batsman, medium pace bowler with a good pace and more than a decent fielder, Mitchell Marsh ticks all the boxes that are required to be a successful t20 player. A series of good performances in the domestic cricket combined with the continuous failure of Shane Watson at the international stage opened the way for Mitchell March in the Australian side.

Unlike his elder brother Shaun, Mitchell was quick to react to these opportunities and in no time became an integral part of the new looked Aussie side in all the 3-formats. Making his international debut at the age of just 19, Mitchell Marsh is one of those players who opposition teams often make a mistake of not seeing as a threat. His unbeaten century against India earlier this year was an example of what he can do on his day.

His ability to clear boundaries with ease makes him a very handy lower middle order batsmen. He provides the perfect balance to the Australian side as he can bowl his quota of overs in almost every other game.

He would like to carry his red-hot form into the World Cup as well and with all the focus on big hitters like Shane Watson, David Warner and Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell March can act as the dark knight for Australia.