World T20: Record scores, ramp shots and shock results and what else to expect in India

We look ahead to the tournament which starts on Tuesday

Sri Lankan T20 cricket captain Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews and president of Sri Lanka Cricket Thilanga Sumathipala hold the ICC 2016 World Twenty20 trophy

Twenty20 seems to be constantly evolving. How has the game moved on from the previous World Twenty20 in 2014?

No team scored 200 in the World Twenty20 in Bangladesh – but that’s highly unlikely to be the case this time around. Two of the five highest scores have been recorded since then, and the explosive power of most of the batting line-ups in India should ensure that 10 an over is an eminently achievable goal.

Gary Kirsten, the former coach of the 50-over World Cup winners in 2011, India, agrees that the format has evolved quickly.

“The batters have got smart,” he says. “There are some very skilful T20 batsman playing shots all around the field – they’re 360-degree cricketers now.

“They practise those skills all the time - the game has changed dramatically. When I was playing, a low full toss was the best ball to bowl at the death. Now any full toss will go for six regardless of where it’s bowled.”

Given the way the game has changed, who goes into this tournament in the best shape?

This is probably the toughest World Twenty20 to call. India are, understandably, favourites, with South Africa also looking strong. The latter were imperious when despatching England 2-0 in February. While Australia can’t be discounted, they have lost their past five internationals.

West Indies could spring a surprise, as could England. “I honestly think we have a massive chance,” says Liam Plunkett. “We’ve got match-winners throughout this team, and if we start well then there’s no reason why we can’t challenge.”

Who are the players to look out for?

As our top-10 ranking this week suggests, there are plenty of players who could thrill in the coming weeks. Chris Gayle smashed 50 in 12 balls during Australia’s Big Bash, while AB de Villiers battered 100 off 31 balls against India in January last year.

England’s Alex Hales, Jason Roy and Jos Buttler are as destructive as any batsmen in world cricket, while the Kiwi pair of Martin Guptill and Corey Anderson should also provide some Black Cap pyrotechnics.

As for the bowlers, they will probably be quite content just to contain the most destructive hitters. That said, India’s Ravi Ashwin could be the standout performer.

What are the key rules we should be aware of?

A batsman has a free hit after a no-ball, which is handy in the first six overs, when no more than two fielders can be stationed outside the 30-yard circle. No more than five fielders can be on the leg side at any time, while after those initial six overs a maximum of five fielders can be outside the fielding circle.

What shot is going to be one of the features of this World Twenty20?

“I’ve had a lot of batsmen in my academy here in Cape Town working on their reverse sweep,” says Kirsten. “That was a real niche shot during my time, but now it’s a great way of scoring runs, particularly on subcontinent wickets. I think we’re going to see it a lot this time round.”

Traditionalists, meanwhile, should probably look away when the ramp shot over the wicketkeeper’s head is brought out. It’s not pretty, but in T20 it’s mightily effective.

So who is going to win it?

There have been five different winners in World Twenty20’s five editions, with India, Pakistan, England, West Indies and Sri Lanka all crowned champions. Statistically, Sri Lanka have been the most consistent, reaching three finals and winning one. It would, though, be a surprise if they retained their crown.

“I think India will be very tough to beat on home soil,” says Kirsten. “They’ve certainly got the talent to win it but this is a very, very hard tournament to call. I certainly wouldn’t discount England, South Africa or Australia either.”

T20 is also the strongest suit for Pakistan, West Indies and New Zealand. It’s little wonder, then, that this could be the most competitive World Cup in history.