Each T20 World Cup brings a new blend of excitement and suspense, introducing the world to new heroes and unforgettable moments. Similar to previous editions, this year has been no exception, with numerous players stepping out of their comfort zones and overcoming personal struggles to steal the show.
Not only have these performances drawn attention, but they have also played a crucial role. With their skill and temperament to stand up for their country, they have changed the course of games, leaving an impression on every battle.
This article highlights five such players who have been the unexpected stars of the T20 World Cup. These players have delivered standout performances that have left an indelible mark on the tournament. We delve into their stories and how they came into the tournament, analysing how their contributions have made a significant impact. 
Andries Gous: The Run Machine for the USA
Going into the business end of the competition, Gous is the third-highest run scorer, with 211 runs and an excellent average of over 52. His contribution has been crucial to the USA’s fairytale story in the competition. His 35 off 26 balls in the match against Pakistan laid a strong foundation, helping Aaron Jones and Nitish Kumar provide the finishing touches to take the game into the Super Over.
Gous’s best innings, though, was an explosive 80 off 47 balls against South Africa. Even though South Africa finished their innings with a massive 194, Gous’s effort made sure the match went right down to the wire. His ability to anchor the innings and accelerate when necessary has made him a vital asset for the USA batting lineup.
Rishad Hossain: Bangladesh’s Rising Star
Rishad Hossain has made a name for himself in this T20 World Cup. Despite being unknown to many fans, he has been impressive with his performances as a leg-spinner. With 11 wickets, he is the fourth-highest wicket-taker in the tournament. His 3-wicket haul against the Netherlands played a crucial role in Bangladesh defending a total of 159. Similarly, his three wickets against Sri Lanka in their first game of the tournament helped restrict the 2014 champions to a low total of 124.
Hossain has also shown his capability with the bat, scoring a quickfire 24 off 10 balls against India. Although Bangladesh lost the match, his innings showcased his potential as an all-rounder. Hossain’s performances have been instrumental in Bangladesh’s campaign, and his ability to deliver in crucial moments has made him a key player for his team.
Anrich Nortje: The Comeback King
Anrich Nortje has made a remarkable comeback in this T20 World Cup, silencing his critics after a disappointing IPL season. For the Delhi Capitals, Nortje struggled throughout the tournament with an economy rate of over 13 and an average of 42 per wicket, raising concerns about his place in the national team. However, he has turned things around spectacularly in the World Cup, taking 11 wickets with an economy rate of less than 6.
Nortje’s performance has been crucial for South Africa’s unbeaten run. In four league games, he took nine wickets. His excellent form continued in the Super 8 round, where his match-winning last over against England kept the African nose at the top of the group. In the last over of the game against England, Nortje defended 14 runs against Sam Curran and Jofra Archer. His two wickets for 17 runs against Bangladesh, while defending a modest total of 113, showcased his ability to perform under pressure.
Fazalhaq Farooqi: The Afghan Sensation
Fazalhaq Farooqi has emerged as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, with 15 wickets and an economy rate of just over 6. His ability to swing the new ball back into the right-hander and deliver early breakthroughs has been pivotal for Afghanistan. Traditionally reliant on their spinners, Afghanistan has found a new weapon in Farooqi whose partnership with Naveen has done wonders for the Afghans.
Farooqi’s standout performances include his 3-wicket haul against India, where he dismissed big-name players like Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav. Although Afghanistan lost the match, Farooqi’s efforts were a highlight and a big positive for Afghanistan who are now hopeful for the semifinals. His four- fer against New Zealand in the league stage was instrumental in Afghanistan’s qualification for the knockout rounds.
Saurav Netravalkar: Indian Starboy and American Hero
Saurav Netravalkar has been a revelation for the USA. Living the dream of many middle-class Indian youths, he has been balancing his cricketing career with a full-time tech job in the USA. Netravalkar’s performances have been nothing short of heroic.
He made headlines with his performance against Pakistan, where he bowled an impeccable Super Over, defending 18 runs against Iftikhar, Fakhar, and Shadab in his quest to secure a historic win for the USA. His game-changing economical spell of just 18 runs, which included the early wickets of Rizwan and Iftikhar in the middle, set the stage for this stunning victory.
Here, Netravalkar’s brilliance was just beginning to blossom. Another performance of his that made headlines came against India, where he dismissed arguably the two greatest players of white ball cricket, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, in the first two overs of his spell.
His run of impressive performances continued against the Proteas as well, where he gave away just 21 runs and took the wickets of Hendricks and captain Aiden Markram. With six wickets to his name in the tournament and an economy rate of under seven runs per over, Netravalkar has become a key player for the USA.
The game’s shortest format is known for its unpredictable nature and the emergence of new stars. This year, players like Saurav Netravalkar, Andries Gous, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Anrich Nortje, and Rishad Hossain have surprised everyone with their stellar performances. They have been crucial to their teams and added excitement to the tournament.
