The best T20ians
The T20 season is on a high now – started right from the IPL, which had some very close contests that went right down to the wire. There were many nail-biting finishes and Kolkata emerged as the well-deserved champions eventually. More action followed when the T20 World Cup began in September, with almost all the teams evenly balanced and raring to go. The T20 cup was very enthralling unlike the previous one and nobody was sure who would walk home with the cup. The West Indies cricket team did it finally with great style and emerged as the new T20 champions.
The T20 fever is taking over. The fan base for the shortest version is increasing day by day. In this present scenario – where T20 is being lapped by one and all – there arises the question of who’s the best in this format. There are already quite a few stars around and some others that are emerging, given the popularity they enjoy among fans. I am going to list a few of those T20 stars who have been ruling the roost in this format for quite sometime.
Batsmen:
1. Chris Gayle: Whenever we talk about T20, how can one miss the hard-hitting southpaw from Jamaica? He is one of the most destructive batsmen in world cricket even before the advent of T20. His huge frame combined with his ability to hit straight has been his forte right from the beginning of his career. His record in the shortest version is staggering with almost 8 centuries to his credit. He has been a prolific scorer in the IPL for the last two seasons. Combined with his handy off spin, Chris Gayle can be called “King of Sixers” when it comes to T20.
2. Brendon Mccullum: This wicket-keeper batsman from New Zealand had been a top class T20 batsman right from the time he made a destructive 157 against the Royal Challengers Bangalore, in the inaugural IPL match. From then he has set the stage on fire whenever he got going. He has two T20 international centuries to his credit. He is an innovative batsman who is never afraid to use the crease against any type of bowling. He deserves to be on this list for his sheer prowess with the bat and his extraordinary skills behind the stumps.
3. David Warner: The diminutive southpaw from Australia had a sensational debut in the shortest format when he was selected to play for the international side even before he had made his first class debut. He repaid that confidence by going on to score a match winning 89 against a powerful South African bowling attack. He has 5 centuries in T20 cricket – numbers which are staggering and only next to the powerful Chris Gayle. His ability on the field is an added advantage to any team that he plays for. Warner is an innovative player with his ability to switch hit spinners and his slog sweeps have always reaped dividends.
Allrounders:
1. Shane Watson: This burly allrounder who plays for the Sydney Sixers has been the “Gary Sobers” of the Australian lineup for quite some time now. The biggest advantage of Watson is that he is a genuine allrounder, who can bowl as well as bat. His emergence in the inaugural edition of the IPL has been a boon in disguise for the Australian side that was lacking genuine match-winners for quite some time now after the retirements of Hayden, Gilchrist, Warne, McGrath etc. He has a track record for injuries but his stats are staggering nonetheless. His blistering knock of 185 against the Bangladeshis in an ODI has taken the cricketing world by storm. Watson single-handedly took an otherwise weak Australian side to the semifinals of the World T20 2012. He has been on a purple patch for the last two years and he has had lots to offer to the Australian side. He therefore makes this list as “The Premier Allrounder”.
2. Shakib Al Hasan: The ex-Bangladesh skipper is a go-to-man for his team in T20 matches. His ability to bowl economically and get some quick runs has been his forte adding to his quick feet on the field. He has been the best batsman for Bangladesh along with Tamim Iqbal for some time now.
3. Shahid Afridi: Being one of Pakistan’s best allrounders, he has been a pillar of strength for his team taking the team to victory in the 2009 edition of T20 World Cup and leading the side to the semifinals of 2011 World Cup bagging 21 wickets in the process. Though his batting prowess has been dwindling, he has hit some useful runs for Pakistan in many crunch games. Who can forget the breath taking 37-ball century he hit a few years back? He has been an utility player for Pakistan and has the second most number of wickets for a bowler in T20s.
Bowlers:
1. Lasith Malinga: Malinga is to bowling like how Gayle is to batting in T20 cricket. Having more than 100 T20 wickets in his kitty, he is one of the best T20 bowlers on the circuit at present. His unique round arm action mixed with his toe-crushing yorkers and slow bouncers have kept the best of batsmen guessing and that has been his forte. He is one of our picks for the best bowlers in the T20 format.
2. Saeed Ajmal: This talented off spinner from Pakistan has a bag full of variations with which he has bamboozled the best of batsmen. His unique high-arm action and the change in pace are his basic strengths; combined with his lethal doosras, he’s one of the best in business.
3. Umar Gul: This tall fast bowler from Pakistan is one of the best death bowlers in the world who can bowl yorkers with precision and can be pretty good in his line. He has the third best bowling figures in T20 internationals.
Players who missed out:
There are few players who were omitted from this list who are also very good T20 players and second to none ,though they didn’t find a place on my list.
They are :
Batsmen:
1. AB de Villiers
2. Eoin Morgan
3. Kevin Pietersen
Bowlers:
1. Dale Steyn
2. Graeme Swann
3. Sunil Narine
Allrounders :
1. Albie Morkel
2. Dwayne Bravo
3. Jacques Kallis