Five players to watch out for in New Zealand squad

New Zealand is a dark horse for the World T20 2016 by a country mile. Their T20I form in the past year has been nothing short of impressive. In the last two years, the Kiwis have won six of their nine T20Is, an impressive record. However, the retirement of Brendon McCullum has hogged much of the limelight, casting lesser focus on the upcoming World T20. Although many say that all 11 players will have to pull their weight together, there are always players who stand out in the side. That said, we take a quick look at five players who could make a difference as New Zealand prepares to take on the might of the World. 1. Kane Williamson New Zealand’s Kane Williamson. (© Getty Images) With the retirement of Brendon McCullum, the spotlight has shifted to Kane Williamson. The charismatic skipper also remains to be New Zealand’s most technically sound batsman. His 39 ball 63 against the Proteas in the warm-up match only went on to solidify Williamson’s prowess on the World T20 stage. Moreover, Williamson has been in fine form in the year 2016, having already played 5 official T20 internationals. He has scored three half-centuries in his last five T20I innings. He will certainly be crucial should the Kiwis have any contestation towards the title. 2. Colin Munro (Photo Source: Getty Images) Left-handed batsman Colin Munro has been in fine form all year. Needless to say, bringing Munro back to the side has been a masterstroke. His watershed came against Sri Lanka in the T20I series in early January. He made history in the second T20 international on the 10th of January by scoring the fastest half-century by a New Zealand batsman, going past martin Guptill who had achieved the feat a few minutes earlier. Most eyes will be on how he is able to perform on alien conditions in India. 3. Martin Guptill Martin Guptill of New Zealand. (Photo by MICHAEL BRADLEY/AFP/Getty Images) Also read: New Zealand’s World T20 journey in numbers Right handed opening batsman Martin Guptill has been in splendid form all through 2015. His form also saw him pick up the award for best T20 and ODI player of the year from the New Zealand cricket board. Although his opening partner, Brendon McCullum will be absent from the side, no one strikes the ball more cleanly than Martin Guptill. While hard-hitting remains to be one his strengths, Guptill’s consistency is also an invaluable asset to have. Thus, Kane Williamson will be hoping that Guptill fires when it is required the most. 4. Trent Boult Trent Boult. (Photo by Scott Barbour-IDI/IDI via Getty Images) In contrast to Martin Guptill, Trent Boult has been a standout performer for New Zealand with the ball. Boasting of amazing wrist position and ability to generate late swing has seen him become one of the most feared bowlers in international cricket. He was the top wicket-taker for New Zealand in the World Cup in 2015, where he formed an unbelievable partnership with fellow opening bowler Tim Southee. Having been named the best Test bowler for New Zealand in the annual awards night, Boult will be expected to lead the Kiwi attack in India. 5. Ish Sodhi Ish Sodhi. (© ANESH DEBIKY/AFP/Getty Images) For 23-year old Ish Sodhi, it will be a homecoming of sorts. Having been born in Ludhiana, Sodhi has always been a natural spinner of the cricket ball. A leg break bowler by trade, Sodhi will be thrust into conditions he is rather familiar with. Should the Kiwis have any serious threats of winning the World T20, they will look to Ish Sodhi tp put up a stellar performance with the ball. He is only the second spinner in the squad after Nathan McCullum.

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Five players to watch out for in New Zealand squad

5. Ish Sodhi

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