Five players to watch at the World T20

CHRIS GAYLE (West Indies)

— The explosive batsman is one of cricket’s biggest personalities, but never far from controversy. The Jamaican was fined US$7,000 after he asked an Australian interviewer reporter out on live TV at the Big Bash. Gayle was unabashed, telling critics to kiss his “Black Rass” on social media. On the field he smashed 50 off just 12 balls for the Melbourne Renegades in January to equal the fastest half-century in T20 history.

VIRAT KOHLI (India)

— India vice-captain and talisman Kohli is in red-hot form and will be key to the chances of the host nation when their campaign begins against New Zealand on March 15. The 27-year-old’s aggressive batting and self-assurance bailed India out more than once during the recent Asia Cup, exemplified by his poise in the face of a torrid spell from Pakistan’s Mohammad Amir and an unbeaten 41 to see his side to victory in the final against Bangladesh.

MOHAMMAD AMIR (Pakistan)

— The pace bowler returns for his first ICC event following a five-year ban for spot-fixing upon the back of impressive performances on tour in New Zealand and the recently-concluded Asian Cup. Tall and intimidating, the 23-year-old Amir was considered one of the best young fast bowling prospects in the world before his fall from grace but his composure could be severely tested by hostile Indian crowds.

AB DE VILLIERS (South Africa)

— Nicknamed “Superman”, a destructive batsmen in all formats who is adored in India for his power batting in the IPL. Holds the records for the fastest 50 (16 balls), 100 (31 balls) and 150 (64 balls) in the 50-over format. In Johannesburg in February he smashed the fastest T20 50 by a South African, off just 21 balls, and went on to make a match and series-winning 71 off 29 balls against England.

BEN STOKES (England)

— Hailed by some as the new Ian Botham, all-rounder Stokes began 2016 by tonking the second fastest Test double hundred off just 163 balls against South Africa and went on to clear the boundary a record 11 times before he was out for 259 off 198 balls. Also a go-to man with the ball, he became in South Africa the first England player since Botham more than 30 years ago to exceed 350 runs and 12 wickets in an overseas Test series.