Former Kiwi batter Ross Taylor picks up five emerging batters who can do wonders in the T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia. Meanwhile, this is the first T20 World Cup since Taylor retired from all forms of the game. He said that he is now ready to have a different experience watching from the other side for the first time.

Ross Taylor is excited to watch some exciting young talents in the tournament as he picks these five following pics for the mega event.

Also Read: T20 World Cup 2022: Top 5 Players to watch out for in the tournament

#1. Haider Ali | Pakistan

Haider Ali is a player who really has something about him. Pakistan moves him up and down the order but wherever he bats, he is capable of hitting the ground running.

There will always be a lot of runs scored by Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. They often face a lot of the balls in an innings, so they will need guys like Haider to play cameos down the order. He has been a big part of Pakistan's series win over New Zealand recently. He strikes at over 200 in the third match of the series.

It's not often both Babar and Rizwan will fail, one of them will generally face around 40 or 50 balls, so they need other guys to bat quickly around them. Haider is certainly capable of doing that.

Read Also: Most Runs in T20 World Cup history

#2. Suryakumar Yadav | India

Ross Taylor said: I know from experience that four is not an easy place to bat in T20 cricket. That's especially true for Suryakumar Yadav, who is coming in after KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli. Some would find that an intimidating place to be but he has really taken to it. He can pick out unorthodox areas and he's fearless.

He plays with a lot of confidence, you can tell that from the way he carries himself, and he doesn't go many innings without making a score. Coming in at four and five are, in my opinion, the toughest places to bat in T20 cricket. You could come in at 10 for two and if you lose three wickets inside the six-over powerplay, you lose the majority of your matches.

You need to mix intent with risk management but that's something Yadav does really well. Whether chasing or setting a total, he bats with a similar mindset and India will be looking to him to continue that form in Australia.

Also Read: Player of the series winners in T20 World Cup History

#3. Tim David | Australia

Tim David has had a different transition into international cricket, starting out with Singapore before going on to shine in the IPL and other competitions around the world.

He has had some useful cameos in his brief appearances for Australia so far and he obviously has a lot of power. Moreover, he seems to be able to hit boundaries with ease. He will slot into an Australian team already packed with firepower – the fact someone as talented as Cameron Green couldn't get in the squad tells its own story.

Ross Taylor said, I think Australian fans are going to really love him and cricket fans all around the world are going to enjoy watching him. He knows those pitches and conditions and I think he could be set for a big month.

Read Also: Bowlers to take four wickets in four balls in T20I cricket

#4. Harry Brook | England

I was in India recently playing a legends series and caught a bit of England's T20 series against Pakistan. Harry Brook got 80-odd <81 not out> in one of the games and really caught the eye.

I first saw him in 2018, when I was playing for Nottinghamshire against Brook's Yorkshire in English domestic cricket, and he looked like a good player back then. He has since gone on to play Test cricket and looks like he has a big career ahead of him.

Brook is an example of someone who has been brought up in T20 cricket, so smacking the ball from ball one has become second nature. My generation had to learn that while we were playing but these guys have grown up doing it, they do it without blinking an eye.

England has a settled white ball line-up so the fact Brook has forced his way in shows they see something special in him. Having also played in the Big Bash for Hobart Hurricanes, he won't be overawed by the crowds or the size of the boundaries. He'll be ready for what comes at him.

Also Read: Five young cricketers who can be a legend in ten years

#5. Finn Allen | New Zealand

Ross Taylor: I have to mention New Zealand and it looks like Finn Allen will open the batting, so he will be relied upon to get the team off to a fast start. Devon Conway and Kane Williamson are more conservative in the way they go about it. So, they will be looking to Allen to get that strike rate up and lay the foundations for those guys.

At 23, he is the youngest member of the New Zealand side which is aging, so they will need Finn and some of the other young guys to make their mark.

Allen could play in place of Martin Guptill, so he may be under a bit of pressure, but he's got the endorsement of the coach and this tournament is a great opportunity to show he can be a big part of this team for years to come.

The air around Pakistan Cricket is thick with anticipation. Unconfirmed but strong reports indicate that Pakistan Cricket Board (PSB) is set to make a major leadership change, with Salman Ali Agha likely to take over Pakistan's all-format captaincy.

This is not just a routine captaincy change; it's a strategic move by PCB that could fundamentally change the team's trajectory.

What does this decision truly signify for the Green Shirts? Find out.

The current captains: Where do they stand?

Pakistan's captaincy landscape is currently questionable, influenced by their recent performances.

1. Shan Masood (Test Captain)

Appointed in November 2023, Shan Masood's captaincy has been challenging. The team suffered a 3-0 whitewash in Australia (Dec 2023- Jan 2024) which placed his position under significant threat.

Additionally, they also lost 2-0 to Bangladesh (Aug-Sept 2024) which almost marked the end of his captaincy tenure.

2. Mohammad Rizwan (ODI Captain)

Named full-time ODI captain in 2024, Mohammad Rizwan's tenure is also under review. While he had initial success, his position came under threat after their early exit from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, despite being the defending champions.

This include big losses to New Zealand and India in the tournament.

3. Salman Ali Agha (T20 Captain)

Appointed T20 captain in March 2025, Agha has been impressive. Under his brief leadership, the T20I side has reportedly shown "newfound intent" while batting. 

He has impressed both the selection committee and PCB chairman.

PCB's decision to change:

The PCB's move towards an all-format captain, particularly Salman Ali Agha, signals a desire for greater stability, a unified vision, and a fresh approach after a period of mixed results and frequent leadership changes.

The performances under Masood and Rizwan, especially in critical series and tournaments, have undeniably shaped the board's apparent decision towards a new captaincy structure and implement a new era under a single leader.

New Zealand has appointed Rob Walter as the coach of all three formats of New Zealand men's cricket team in place of Gary Stead. Walter was the coach of South Africa's ODI and T20 teams from January 2023 to April this year. Prior to this, he coached for five years in New Zealand's Otago Province and Central Districts Association.

Also Read: ENG vs IND: England announce squad for the first Test against India

New Zealand cricket under Walter's coaching 

Under Rob Walter's coaching, South Africa made it to the semifinals of the ODI World Cup 2023 and the Champions Trophy this year. Not only this, he also played an important role in taking South Africa to the finals of the T20 World Cup last year. 

“It’s an amazing opportunity to work with such a talented group of players and support staff through a period of time in which so many global events, as well as massive bilateral series, will be contested,” Walter said. “I just can’t wait to get started. It’s exciting, it’s challenging and the opportunity is enormous.”

The 49-year-old Rob Walter was high on New Zealand Cricket's list of preferred candidates from the moment it decided to pursue another all-formats coach, ruling out Stead who guided the Black Caps to the inaugural World Test Championship.

He'll take over in time for New Zealand's tour to Zimbabwe, which starts with a T20 tri-series against the hosts and South Africa before a two-test series against Zimbabwe.

Stead step down from his role in March

Stead has been New Zealand's head coach across all three formats since 2018. New Zealand Cricket announced earlier this week that it was looking for a new coach to replace him.

Also Read: Pataudi Trophy renamed as Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy ahead of India vs England test series

Stead announced in March that he was stepping down from his role in limited-overs formats but wanted to stay on as Test coach. New Zealand Cricket, however, said it preferred to have one coach for all three formats.

The England and Wales Cricket Board on Thursday announced a 14-member squad for the first Test of the five-match series against India. The ENG vs IND five-match Test series is starting from June 20. The first match will be played at Headingley on June 20, 2025.

Also Read: Youngest Cricketers to lead India in Tests

Overton replaces Atkinson

Fast bowling all-rounder Jamie Overton has returned. He has been included in the team in place of injured Gus Atkinson. Jamie has returned after the match against New Zealand in June 2022.

Atkinson was unavailable for selection due to a right hamstring injury suffered during the Test against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge.

Carse, Woakes included in the squad

Fast bowlers Brydon Carse, Jacob Bethell and Chris Woakes have also been named in the squad, who last played during the New Zealand Test tour in December. The India A side are already in the United Kingdom, playing warm-up games against England Lions.

Woakes, known for his effectiveness in home conditions, especially at Lord’s, last featured prominently in 2018 against India, where he claimed four wickets and smashed an unbeaten 137.

Young spinner Shoaib Bashir, who starred with nine wickets against Zimbabwe, retains his spot as the lone specialist spinner. IPL winner Jacob Bethell and seamer Sam Cook, both of whom impressed recently, have also earned call-ups.

Ben Stokes to lead the team

England will field a significantly altered team compared to the last time they faced India in early 2024. James Anderson has since retired, while Jonny Bairstow, Ben Foakes and Ollie Robinson are the other notable absentees from the squad.

Ben Stokes, who returned from a hamstring injury in that Zimbabwe Test, will lead England against India in a five-match series that marks the start of both teams’ campaigns in the new ICC World Test Championship cycle.

Also Read: Most runs vs England in England for India in tests

ENG vs IND Test Series Schedule

• 20-24 June 2025 - 1st Test, Headingley
• 2-6 July 2025 - 2nd Test, Edgbaston
• 10-14 July 2025 - Third Test, Lord's
• 23-27 July 2025 - Fourth Test, Emirates Old Trafford
• 31 July-4 August 2025 - Fifth Test, Kia Oval

ENG vs IND | England full squad

Ben Stokes (c), Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes.

Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell announced his retirement from ODI cricket on Monday, ending his 13-year-long ODI career. However, he will continue to play T20I cricket. Maxwell has taken this decision to prioritise the T20 World Cup to be held in India and Sri Lanka in 2026, the Big Bash League and his other global cricket.

Also Read: Youngest Cricketers to lead India in Tests

Let's take a look at all the records of Glenn Maxwell in ODI cricket.

Maxwell's ODI career

Glenn Maxwell scored 3,990 runs in his ODI career at an average of 33.81, with his highest score being 201 not out. He scored four centuries and 23 half-centuries. In bowling, he took 77 wickets at an average of 47.32, with his best performance being 4/40. Maxwell played 149 ODIs for Australia. 

In the 2023 World Cup, Maxwell made the record for scoring the fastest century in World Cup history by scoring a century in just 40 balls against the Netherlands. Apart from this, he also created a stir in the cricket world by playing an innings of 201 runs against Afghanistan.

All the records of Glenn Maxwell in ODI cricket

• Highest Individual score in an ODI run-chase: Glenn Maxwell scored an unbeaten 201 in the 292-run chase against Afghanistan during the World Cup 2023. This is the highest individual score by any batter in a run chase in ODIs. He also became the first ever Australian player to score a double-century in the format. 
• Fastest ODI century for Australia: Glenn Maxwell smashed a century off just 40 balls against the Netherlands at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi during the World Cup in 2023. This is the fastest century for Australia in their ODI cricket history.
• Highest career strike-rate: Glenn Maxwell retires from ODIs with a career strike-rate of 126.70, the highest for any player in the world who has played 100 or more ODIs. Among all players, Maxwell finishes with the second highest strike rate with Andre Russell on top, who strikes at 130.22 in 56 ODIs.
• Most centuries in the World Cup while batting at no.5 or below: Glenn Maxwell scored three centuries in the World Cup during his illustrious ODI career. These are the most for any batter in World Cup history while batting at no.5 or below. 
• Second fastest double century in ODIs: Glenn Maxwell smashed the second-fastest double century in ODIs. He reached the 200-run mark against Afghanistan in World Cup off just 128 balls with the fastest being from 126 balls by Ishan Kishan against Bangladesh in 2022.
• Third most sixes in World Cup history: Glenn Maxwell finished his career with 43 sixes in the World Cup, the third most behind Rohit Sharma and Chris Gayle. During the World Cup in 2023, he went past David Warner to become the leading six-hitter for Australia in the format.
• Second most sixes for Australia in ODIs: Glenn Maxwell finished with 155 sixes in ODIs, second most maximums for Australia in the format, only behind Ricky Ponting who smacked 159 sixes.

India A started their England tour on a great note with a solid Day 1 display against the England Lions in Canterbury. Karun Nair headlined the day with a solid, unbeaten 186 with the bat for India A.

England Lions captain James Rew won the toss and decided to bowl first on a greenish pitch at the St. Lawrence Ground. 

India A lost captain Abhimanyu Easwaran early on 8 while Yashasvi Jaiswal went back to the dressing room after adding 24. 

When it looked like that, Rew took the right decision of bowling first, Sarfaraz Khan and Karun Nair put up a 181-run partnership for the third wicket to give India A the advantage after Day 1’s play. 

Karun Nair, who last played a test match in 2017, continued his great form and completed his fifty in 85 balls. 

Soon, Sarfraz Khan, who was dropped from the test squad, completed his fifty in 84 balls as well. When both batters were looking to get to the hundred mark first, Sarfraz was caught down the leg side on 92 off 119 balls and missed his ton.

Sarfaraz Khan gets dismissed 8 short of a well-deserved hundred.

Sarfaraz was looking good but was eventually caught down the leg side on 92.

Karun Nair is batting on 97!

India A 233/3 in the first inning!#ENGAvINDA #SarfarazKhan pic.twitter.com/pY7pCRmwZP

— Sportz Point (@sportz_point) May 30, 2025

Nair, who was dropped on 89 off Ajeet Singh Dale, completed his 24th first-class ton off 155 balls.

Post that, incoming batter Dhruv Jurel and Nair started smashing the bowlers and changed their gears. Nair reached the landmark of 150 in 205 balls while Jurel reached his fifty in just 68 balls.

At the end of Day 1 of the 4-day unofficial test match, Jurel remained unbeaten on 82 off 104 balls while Nair remained unbeaten on 186 from 246 balls, with India A finishing with 409/3.