PLEASE VOTE FOR YOUR PREFERRED TEAM ABOVE
Ever since the inception of T20 cricket, youth and fearlessness have always the norm as players who were quick to adapt and approached the game in a more aggressive manner were given the go-to. However, we have seen the importance of specialists and well rounded experience playing a huge role for teams as well.
T20 cricket has acted as a form of resurrection for many players who have managed to stretch their careers as well as perform consistently in this format.
In the ‘young’ team, we can see considerably higher strike rates, which suggests that the players have really adapted to the rigors of the format, and have become a force for the opposition bowlers that is difficult to contain. On the other hand, we see stark contrasts in the strike rates of the members of the ‘old team’. This specifies that the roles of all players have been set and the players’ multitude of experience makes them fulfill their requirements consistently. The star all rounders Rusell and Shakib are crucial members the Under 30 team, while the Over 30 team is beautifully balanced and has more specialist players that ensure regular and impactful performances. The economy rates are discernably higher for the young team, but is well balanced out with the consistently high strike rates of the Top 6, and the knack of picking up timely wickets by the pacers and the strangling effect of the spinners. The spin duo of Tahir and Badree look like a handful and are complemented beautifully by Bravo, who bowls 4 overs almost every time as well Ashish Nehra who has had a dream run.
As it is evident, both the teams have their own strengths and almost no perceivable weaknesses as they have all their bases covered. On the whole, a young team can almost certainly be assured of giving fighting performances in challenging conditions because of the brand of cricket they have created, and not to forget, their athleticism in the field. The experienced team edges ahead in the adaptability, consistent performances, and the composition quotient. If divided according to the roles of the players, both teams look proficient enough with the right balance of aggression, calmness, temperament and ability.
For years, youth trumped experience, but now have the tables turned? Below, are two teams compiled according to the ages of players, as age is taken to be the divisive factor between these two fine lines- youth and experience. These players are selected solely on their performances in this T20 world cup, as well as their prowess in the T20 format. Let’s settle this difficult debate, once and for all. What trumps what? What is better? What is more daring? Youth or experience in the T20 format? Take your pick….
Team A (Under 30 team)
Jason Roy- Age 25
Martin Guptill- Age 29
Virat Kohli (c)- Age 27
Joe Root (vc)- Age 25
Shakib Al Hasan- Age 27
Jos Buttler (wk)- Age 25
Andre Rusell – Age 27
R Ashwin- Age 29
Jasprit Bumrah- Age 22
Mohammad Amir- Age 23
Mustafizur Rahman- Age 20
Team B (Over 30 team)
Chris Gayle- Age 36
Hashim Amla- Age 33
Shane Watson- Age 34
AB De Villiers (vc)- Age 32
Yuvraj Singh- Age 34
MS Dhoni (c/wk)- Age 34
Dwayne Bravo-Age 32
Samuel Badree- Age 35
Ashish Nehra- Age 36
Imran Tahir- Age 36
Dale Steyn- Age 32
