The top 10 most dangerous batsmen in IPL history

The IPL has taken cricket to a new level and there is always novelty or innovation that cricket fans await each season.

The IPL has found total appeal because of the shorter version as well as having hard-hitting cricketers in every game. That is why for several years numerous batsmen were described as players who can single-handedly devastate any bowlers in a few overs and make the team a champion. The cricketing world contains lots of talented players and each fan of the game values such individuals. As the league continues to evolve, fans and analysts can track these record-breaking performances and follow their team’s performance with platforms like OCBscores and their expertly curated cricket predictions. In this article, we will be taking a look at the top 10 most hazardous batsmen in IPL history.

The IPL’s Legacy of Powerful Batsmen

In this case, it is particularly important to note that since its onset in 2008, the IPL has featured some of the finest T20 batsmen across the globe raising the bar through genteel knocks, pulsating matches, and acquirement of record scores. The IPL has produced many legends with mind-blowing performances with regard to both ease and especially in crunch moments with players like Chris Gayle, AB deVillers, and the best of them all MS Dhoni. As it is obvious with such kind of competition, only a handful of players can be rightly referred to as the “most dangerous” in IPL history, they are the most legendary players, however, this is a list that is constantly evolving as new talents rise.

Most Dangerous IPL Batsmen Table

Rank	Player	Matches	Runs	Average	Strike Rate	High Score	Notable Teams
1	Chris Gayle	142	4956	36.72	149.45	175	RCB, KXIP,KKR
2	AB de Villiers	184	5162	39.70	151.68	133	RCB, Delhi Daredevils
3	David Warner	176	6397	41.53	139.91	126	SRH, Delhi Capitals
4	Jos Buttler	96	3223	37.91	148.32	124	Rajasthan Royals
5	Virat Kohli	237	7263	37.24	130.02	122	RCB
6	Rohit Sharma	243	6211	29.57	130.04	109	Mumbai Indians, Deccan Chargers
7	Suresh Raina	205	5528	32.51	136.73	100	CSK, Gujarat Lions
8	MS Dhoni	250	5082	38.79	135.91	84	CSK, Rising Pune Supergiants
9	Kieron Pollard	168	2316	28.70	147.30	87	Mumbai Indians
10	Glen Maxwell	124	2719	26.39	157.62	95	RCB, Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals

 

Now let us take a closer look at the list of the top 10 most dangerous batsmen in IPL history.

1. Chris Gayle

Also referred to as the “Universe Boss” Chris Gayle has a destructive style of play that has been responsible for some of the best IPL performances. His unbeaten 175 off 66 balls in 2013, is the highest individual score in IPL history. He also holds the record for the most centuries and most sixes in T20 cricket.

 

Gayle is famous for starting slow but then accelerating mercilessly, especially against left-arm spinners and medium-pacers. That makes him one of the most dangerous and feared batters to every play in the IPL.

2. AB de Villiers

AB de Villiers is referred to as “Mr. 360” because of his ability to access all parts of the ground at any stage of the game. Playing primarily for the Royal Challengers Bangalore, de Villiers possesses a decent strike rate of 151.68 and the IPL’s record of 133. He has been one of the best IPL players due to his ability to counter any kind of bowler. Almost all the best bowlers of the format have picked AB de Villiers as the most difficult batter they have bowled to. 

 

Unstoppable at his best and a true genius of the format, AB de Villiers often saved his best for the IPL and even compromised his national career for the same.

 

3. David Warner

The reason why David Warner is so high up on this list is because of his reliability. He is a constant presence in the race for the Orange cap, scores run against all kinds of bowling and is particularly good at converting starts into big scores. His strike rate stands at 139.91, with the highest score of 126.

 

No team can feel comfortable with David Warner at the crease.

4. Jos Buttler

A few years ago, Buttler has proven himself to be one of those few players who can turn a match in a matter of a few overs. Representing Rajasthan Royals, Jos Buttler has the highest strike rate of 148.32. Through his active form of batting, he turned out to be one of the most dangerous players seen in the recent Indian Premier League.

5. Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli, at his peak, was one of the greatest IPL batters of all time. His 2015 and 2016 peaks saw him rack up centuries, record-breaking season totals, and pull off impossible chases with a ridiculous ease. 

 

He has not been at that peak for some time now but he still holds the record for the most IPL runs in one season (something that will stand for a very long time). His challenges against spin have made him seem mortal again but no one can argue his presence in the list of the most dangerous IPL batters ever.

6. Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma is a champion player and has outperformed most of the IPL players when it comes to big finals. Rohit has been equally good as an opener, having a 130 strike rate with him and contributing to multiple wins through his batting.

 

He has also changed his entire approach to T20 batting and is perhaps even more dangerous now as an opener than he ever was. One of the all-time T20 greats, Rohit Sharma’s IPL career will have already been legendary.

7. Suresh Raina

Nicknamed “Mr. IPL,” Suresh Raina has been the backbone of the Chennai Super Kings bartting lineup for a long time. A master of the chase, batting at a healthy strike rate of 136.73, and prolific against spinners during the middle overs, Raina was also known for performing on the big stage.

 

Easily one of the best IPL batters of all time, Raina was the most dangerous in IPL knockouts. He helped make CSK the most successful IPL franchise of all time.

8. MS Dhoni

The “Captain Cool” MS Dhoni, is famous for his match-finishing abilities. This man has a career strike rate of 135.91 and has taken CSK to many IPL Cups, and his ability to stay cool during pressure makes him very dangerous. 

 

Dhoni has always taken the difficult task of playing in the death overs on his shoulders. On most occasions, when it was Dhoni vs the bowler, any last-over target was gettable. Undoubtedly, one of the most dangerous IPL batters at his best.

 

9. Kieron Pollard

 

Pollard played his entire career for the Mumbai Indians and made so many match-winning contributions that an entire book could be written just about them. He was so dangerous that fans wanted him to face the most deliveries, opposition captains planned specific fields for him, and his own team would keep him for the most tense situations. 

 

Pollard’s ability to clear the boundaries with ease could change the game at any stage and he often did. 

10. Glenn Maxwell

Glenn Maxwell can play every shot in the book and some that are of his own invention. No one has frustrated teammates, fans, opponents, and cricket lovers alike like Maxwell has. His own talent is often left unfulfilled because he seems to make so many unorthodox choices. 

 

However, this is not a list of the most consistent batters. This is a loss of the most dangerous batters and Maxwell walks into that list with ease. If he stays at the crease for 40 deliveries, he will end up winning the match for this team. 

 

No bowler and no corner of the ground is safe when Maxwell is having one of his days of brilliance.

Final Thoughts

All these IPL stars have had their memorable moments; some getting big scores repeatedly, others scoring at an almighty strike rate, or those that are clutch at the finish. 

 

These players have redefined the art of batting in T20 cricket, and their impact is felt every IPL season. People always looked forward to seeing these players play knowing well that nothing is impossible while they are at the crease.

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Top 5 highest T20 International scores

T20 cricket, with its high-intensity 20-over format, has captivated fans worldwide, particularly through massive scores and record-breaking innings.

Such is the popularity of this format that it includes sponsorship from both Emirates and Armaco as premier partners.

Let’s delve into the top five highest T20 scores recorded internationally, showcasing the incredible skill and power in this thrilling format.

1. Zimbabwe: 344/4 against Gambia (October 23, 2024)

Zimbabwe’s record-breaking 344/4 against Gambia during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub Regional Africa Qualifier in Nairobi stands as the highest T20 score to date. Captain Sikandar Raza led this historic inning, smashing an unbeaten 133 off just 43 balls. Zimbabwe’s dominant score demonstrated their batting prowess, with boundaries and towering sixes throughout the innings. The performance not only set a new high but also redefined expectations in international T20 cricket, showing how any team with the right lineup can pull off extraordinary feats.

This score reflects the growing competitiveness in T20 cricket, even among teams not traditionally recognised as powerhouses. The same cannot be said about cricket fans that with CyberGhost VPN free trial can benefit from knowing that their digital footprint is not compromised.

2. Nepal: 314/3 against Mongolia (September 27, 2023)

Before Zimbabwe’s phenomenal innings, Nepal held the record with their 314/3 against Mongolia at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. Nepal’s top-order batter, Kushal Malla, played a significant role, scoring the fastest T20 century in just 34 balls, breaking another world record. Teammate Dipendra Singh Airee supported him with a nine-ball 50, showcasing lightning-fast scoring and aggressive play.

Nepal’s victory was extraordinary, not only for its high score but also for the margin: a 273-run win, the largest in T20 cricket by runs. Nepal’s innings inspired smaller cricketing nations, proving that with aggressive strategy and young talent, they could challenge established teams.

3. India: 297/6 against Bangladesh (October 12, 2024)

India recorded their highest-ever T20 score against Bangladesh, posting an imposing 297/6 in the third match of a T20 series. Sanju Samson was the standout player, notching a blistering century off 40 balls. The innings marked India’s ascent in high-scoring T20 matches, demonstrating their powerful batting lineup’s capability to rack up massive totals against fellow full-member teams. India won this match by 133 runs, showcasing a well-rounded team performance with stellar batting and bowling.

The record-breaking inning reflected India’s emphasis on aggressive play, particularly in T20Is, where every ball counts. This focus on maximising scoring potential has placed India among the top T20 teams.

4. Afghanistan: 278/3 against Ireland (February 23, 2019)

Afghanistan’s 278/3 against Ireland in Dehradun, India, held the record for years as the highest T20 score by a full-member team. Opening batsman Hazratullah Zazai delivered an unforgettable innings, scoring an unbeaten 162 off 62 balls with 16 sixes, creating one of the most memorable partnerships in T20 history alongside Usman Ghani, who contributed 73 runs. The pair’s 236-run opening stand remains one of the highest partnerships in T20 cricket.

Afghanistan’s commanding performance led them to an 84-run win, demonstrating that they are a force to be reckoned with in the shorter format. This match highlighted Afghanistan’s potential and paved the way for their future successes.

5. Czech Republic: 278/4 against Turkey (August 30, 2019)

The Czech Republic equalled Afghanistan’s record by scoring 278/4 against Turkey in the 2019 Continental Cup. Sudesh Wickramasekara starred in this match, scoring a remarkable 104 off just 36 balls, supported by Sumit Pokhriyal’s 79 runs. Turkey, in response, was bowled out for just 21, making the Czech Republic’s victory by 257 runs one of the largest in T20 history.

This match brought attention to emerging cricketing nations and the potential of non-traditional teams to make an impact in T20 cricket. The Continental Cup provided a platform for lesser-known teams to showcase their abilities, and the Czech Republic capitalised on the opportunity.

T20 Cricket: A Spectacle of Records and Reach

The relentless scoring in T20 matches underscores the action-packed nature of this format, thrilling audiences worldwide. With boundaries flowing and records constantly being broken, T20 remains the go-to format for those seeking fast-paced entertainment.

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Youngest Indian Premier League centurions – 5 of the best since 2009

At just 13 years old, Vaibhav Suryavanshi has become the youngest cricketer to be listed in the Indian Premier League auction.

Whether he gets picked up by a franchise remains in the balance. If a team does purchase his services, it’ll be a tremendous opportunity with the bat for the teenager.

The IPL has boasted plenty of young centurions since the introduction of the tournament in 2008. Here, we remember some of the youngest players to score a century in the IPL.

David Warner

At 23 years and 153 days, Warner became the youngest Australia star to hit a ton in the Indian Premier League. He was with the Delhi Daredevils at the time. They outdid the Kolkata Knight Riders on the back of his player of the match performance in 2010.

While the Knight Riders have since secured three IPL titles, Delhi are still waiting on their first.

Quinton de Kock

Quinton de Kock is the youngest South Africa player to hit a century in the IPL. He did it for the Delhi Daredevils against the Royal Challengers Bangalore during the 2016 edition of the tournament.

De Kock was 23 years and 122 days old at the time and was named player of the match as the Daredevils completed victory in Bangalore.

Devdutt Padikkal

While the Royal Challengers Bangalore are still chasing their first IPL title, they do sport the third youngest IPL centurion.

Padikkal, associated to a franchise that has fielded several veteran batters such as Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers and Shane Watson in the past, was 20 years and 289 days when he hit a ton against the Rajasthan Royals in 2021.

Read more: The 4 best hat-tricks in T20I cricket from genuine fast bowlers

Rishabh Pant

Pant became the second youngest player to hit a century in the IPL in 2018, when he hit 128 not out from just 63 deliveries in the middle order against the Sunrisers Hyderabad. He was 20 years and 218 days old at the time.

Despite Pant’s big effort, Delhi failed to win the match. Hyderabad won on the back of Shikhar Dhawan’s impressive 92 not out.

Manish Pandey

The youngest player ever to hit an IPL century is Manish Pandey. It was 2009, in South Africa, after the tournament had been relocated from India. Pandey’s 114 not out gave Bangalore victory over the Deccan Chargers at SuperSport Park in Centurion.

He wasn’t even 20 years old at the time – 19 years and 253 days to be precise.

Read next: These 5 players have shared 23 ducks in Test cricket in 2024

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Going very big together – India’s 6 highest partnerships in T20I cricket

Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma were individually and collectively immense against South Africa during 15 November 2024’s fourth and final T20I against South Africa.

They carted the opposition bowling attack to all corners of the Wanderers in Johannesburg with calculated hitting and aggressive shot selection.

But where does their partnership feature among India’s highest stands in T20I cricket? Let’s find out.

6. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill – 156

Openers Jaiswal and Gill were entirely dominant against Zimbabwe in 2024. They put on 156 for the first wicket as India chased down a 153-run target inside 16 overs. Jaiswal hit 93 not out to Gill’s unbeaten 58. They shared 19 fours and four sixes. The spilt of sixes was even with two each.

5. KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma – 165

The scene was Indore and the opposition Sri Lanka in 2017. The tourists won the toss, opted to bowl first – and were soon put to the sword by Rahul and Sharma. Their 165-run partnership was collected inside 13 overs. Sharma hit 118 to Rahul’s 89. Sri Lanka used seven bowlers – only one of them conceded fewer than 10 runs per over on average. India won the match comfortably.

4. Sanju Samson and Suryakumar Yadav – 173

After Abhishek Sharma, Samson and Yadav combined for a whopping 173-run alliance against Bangladesh in Hyderabad in 2024. The stand was the foundation for India’s highest total in T20I cricket to date – 297 for six. Samson’s 111 spanned a mere 47 deliveries – and included 11 fours and eight sixes. Yadav’s 75 came off 35, with five sixes.

Read more: The 7 lowest first-innings scores to steal victory in a Test match

3. Deepak Hooda and Sanju Samson – 176

In 2022, Hooda was the mainstay of India’s middle-order during the second T20I against Ireland in Dublin. He hit 104 and shared a 176-run partnership with Samson, who fell for 77. The track was a relative belter, as Ireland replied to India’s 225 for seven with 221 for five. Ireland almost pulled off an upset, but ultimately lacked a Samson- or Hooda-esque innings to get them over the line.

2. Rinku Singh and Rohit Sharma – 190

In 2024, Singh capitalised on his form in the Indian Premier League by impressing at international level. Afghanistan hardly stood a chance as Sharma and Singh battered 190 together. Sharma collected 121 not out to Singh’s unbeaten 69. They shared 14 sixes. The contest was tight. Scores were tied after regular play and it took a second super over for India to force victory.

1. Tilak Varma and Sanju Samson – 210

Varma and Samson went big against a South African bowling attack minus the services of Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi in 2024. Indian fans at the Wanderers were thrilled by the 19 sixes and 15 fours shared by Varma and Samson. India won the match by 135 runs after South Africa capitulated to 148 all out in response to the visiting team’s huge 283 for one.

Read next: Which wicketkeepers have scored the most Test runs?

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The most capped T20I cricketers – 120-plus appearances and counting

Nicholas Pooran recently played his 100th match in T20I cricket. But the West Indian star is nowhere close to being the most capped player in the shortest format of the international game.

Surprisingly, two Ireland cricketers feature among the top five, while a trio from India, Bangladesh and Afghanistan make up the rest.

Here, we look at the players who have been capped the most times in T20I competition.

5. Mohammad Nabi

The Afghanistan all-rounder wants to retire from ODI cricket after the 2025 Champions Trophy, but will likely remain available for the T20I team. He has already collected 129 T20Is since debuting in the format 2010 – and it’s not improbable that he’ll reach 150 and beyond.

Only one man, who features later in this list, has achieved that 150-plus feat.

4. Mohammad Mahmudullah

The spinning all-rounder is Bangladesh‘s most capped cricketer in the T20I format – and fourth overall – with 141 appearances since 2007’s first. With more than 50 catches, 40 wickets and 2,400 runs, Mahmudullah is among the best all-rounders in T20I cricket.

At 38 years old, though, he is nearing the twilight of his career.

Read more: These are the 9 biggest sixes in the history of cricket

3. George Dockrell

Dockrell started playing international cricketer as a youngster, before his 20th birthday. He has since gathered 141 T20I appearances. Ireland certainly play this format more than they do ODI or Test cricket. Dockrell has grown from being just a spinner to more of an all-rounder, capable of batting in the middle order nowadays. He is only Ireland’s second most capped T20I cricketer.

2. Paul Stirling

Stirling is Ireland’s most capped cricketer in T20I cricket – and second overall. More than 15 years of participating in this format have brought him 147 caps. A lot of them, too, have seen Stirling open the batting, bowling and captain the team in the same match as well.

Other than Sharma, Stirling is the only player among T20I cricket’s top six most capped to hit a century.

1. Rohit Sharma

Sharma has retired from T20I cricket, so won’t be adding to his 159 caps in the shortest format of the international game. He collected five centuries in T20I competition for India – and even took a single wicket. His T20I career coincided with some prolific seasons with the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League, too.

It will be interesting to see if Stirling, Dockrell or others ever overtake Sharma as the most capped player in T20I cricket.

Read next: 4 players have now hit back-to-back centuries in T20I cricket

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Centuries in 4 consecutive ODIs – remembering Kumar Sangakkara’s tremendous feat

Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara hit four consecutive ODI centuries in 2015. It was a prolific year, indeed, for the hugely talented left-hander at the time.

Several other players have hit three consecutive ODI tons, but Sangakkara is the only man to collect four in a row. It remains to be seen if anyone will ever match or better this feat.

What’s more, he did it amid a the pressures of a World Cup,  travelling from Australia to New Zealand and back again for his outstanding collection of four in four.

105 not out v Bangladesh, Melbourne

Sangakkara effectively warmed up with this unbeaten 105 against the Tigers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where the boundaries are by no means small. One six and 13 fours later, he had spent about two hours at the crease and faced 76 balls.

Tillakaratne Dilshan also scored a ton – they shared a 200-plus partnership. Sri Lanka won the match comfortably.

117 not out v England, Wellington

From Australia to New Zealand, Sangakkara arrived at the Westpac Stadium with a point to prove against the English. He did just that, following up the ton against relative weaklings Bangladesh with another against big guns England.

James Anderson and Stuart Broad had not answer to his brilliance en route to 11 fours and two sixes during an 86-delivery stay at the crease. Sri Lanka won the match despite a ton from Joe Root.

Also read: Champions Trophy history – interesting facts and figures you need to know

104 v Australia, Sydney

Sri Lanka were unable to win this match, as they returned to Australia to play the tournament hosts. The Sydney Cricket Ground presented Sangakkara with trickier conditions this time, as he milked his way to 104 from 107 deliveries, collecting only 11 fours and no sixes.

A 377-run target proved to much for him and the rest of the team. This time it was Glenn Maxwell’s ton, rather than another from Sangakkara, that had the biggest say on the outcome.

124 v Scotland, Hobart

For a fourth ODI century in two a prolific two weeks, Sangakkara took the attack to the Scottish. Dilshan was along for the ride again, hitting another century as well.

This time Sangakkara collected 13 fours and four sixes, exploring most corners of the Bellerive Oval in Hobart with his orthodox and inventive shot selection – and outstanding stroke play.

Sri Lanka ultimately exited the 2015 World Cup at the quarter-final stage, when Sangakkara perished for just 45 in defeat to South Africa.

Read next: The 4 best hat-tricks in T20I cricket from genuine fast bowlers

 

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Champions Trophy history – interesting facts and figures you need to know

Whether next year’s Champions Trophy will be played in Pakistan remains in the balance. And whether the International Cricket Council decide to retain the tournament in the future is a doubt.

Regardless, the Champions Trophy has been a longstanding mainstay in ODI cricket for many years – and has churned out many records along the way.

Here, we look at some of the individual and collective milestones collected during the competition, since its inception in 1998.

Who has won the most Champions Trophy titles?

Australia and India are the most successful teams in the history of the Champions Trophy with two titles each. The Aussies won back-to-back tournaments across 2006 and 2009. India shared the title with Sri Lanka in 2002 before clinching it as their own in 2013.

South Africa, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, West Indies and Pakistan have won the Champions Trophy title once each. England are still pursuing a maiden Champions Trophy title after losing two finals in 2004 and 2013.

Who has scored the most runs in the Champions Trophy?

West Indies batter Chris Gayle is the top run-scorer in the history of the tournament with 791 in 17 innings – this tally includes three centuries and a half-ton. He hit 474 of the 791 in the 2006 tournament.

Gayle is one of four players with three centuries in the Champions Trophy. The others are Herschelle Gibbs, Sourav Ganguly and Shikhar Dhawan.

Gayle does not play ODI cricket anymore. Among active players, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Joe Root have impressive Champions Trophy records. All three could feature at the next edition of the Champions Trophy in 2025.

Read more: These are the 9 biggest sixes in the history of cricket

Who has taken the most Champions Trophy wickets?

New Zealand seamer Kyle Mills is top of the pops here. He took 28 of his 240 ODI wickets during the Champions Trophy. Sri Lanka’s Lasith Malinga and Muttiah Muralitharan managed 25 and 24, respectively.

Australia‘s Brett Lee and Glenn McGrath too 22 and 21, respectively. The spinner with the most Champions Trophy wickets is Daniel Vettori with 18. Ravindra Jadeja is the top Champions Trophy wicket-taker among active players – he has 16 in 10 fixtures.

Has the Champions Trophy included smaller nations?

Afghanistan will make their Champions Trophy debut in 2025. Kenya featured in 2002, 2002 and 2004. Netherlands were there in 2002, while the United States of America participated in 2004.

Zimbabwe played in the first five editions of the Champions Trophy, but have not been included in the four since.

Read next: 4 players have now hit back-to-back centuries in T20I cricket

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5 rare examples of a player opening batting and bowling in same Test match

Manor Prabhakar in the 1990s and, more recently, Mohammad Hafeez are among the most prominent examples of one player opening the batting and bowling in the same Test match.

Every now and then, for reasons vast and varied, teams effectively play a bowler or batter out of position. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.

This has happened on a good few occasions in the longest format of the international game. Here, we look at five times a player has opened the batting and bowling in the same Test match.

Vernon Philander, Mohali, 2015

South Africa were in the world of trouble in sub-continental conditions in 2015. Their top-order woes were so deep during the Mohali Test that they decided to trial all-rounder Vernon Philander as an opening batter in their final innings.

Philander was no mug with the bat, but was used to hitting lower-order runs rather than compiling time at the crease at the top of the knock. He failed, scoring just one run before perishing lbw to Ravindra Jadeja. The flop only compounded South Africa’s on-field inadequacies against spin and muddled off-field thinking.

Glenn Maxwell, Delhi, 2013

In Delhi, in 2013, Australia were also at the mercy of India’s penchant for preparing rank turners. Ed Cowan couldn’t handle opening the batting in the first innings, so the Aussies tried all-rounder Glenn Maxwell at the top in the second. The move did not work – he scored only eight.

“That was one of the worst Test wickets I ever played on, Our thought was to try and be able, with a brand new ball, get someone out there who can really take on the game. It didn’t pay off but it was a thought process to just get someone out there and put the bowlers under pressure, which as soon as Glenn Maxwell walks out the bowlers know he can turn the game immediately,” said captain Shane Watson at the time.

Read more: Border-Gavaskar Trophy – 5 interesting Australia v India Test records

Virender Sehwag, Delhi, 2008

There was nothing to the contest in November 2008, when India and Australia played out a dull draw in Delhi. Gautam Gambhir and VVS Laxman had hit double-centuries, Michael Clarke collected a ton as well – and a win or loss for either team was entirely off the cards.

Sehwag only scored 17 runs in the match – and was afforded the chance to get Simon Katich or Matthew Hayden out on day five. He bowled two overs of cheeky part-time spin. Katich and Watson wouldn’t dare try anything untoward against the part-timer and both remained not out as the captains shook hands on a boring stalemate.

Graham Gooch, Faisalabad, 1987

Six bowlers shared 24 fourth-innings overs in Faisalabad, Pakistan, in December 1987. Among them was Graham Gooch, who opened the bowling and sent down two overs with no success as another draw dawned.

Jack Leach, Kandy, 2018

England’s nightwatchman extraordinaire got a go at the very top against Sri Lanka this time. But this time he managed just a single – a far cry from his other valuable contributions when promoted from the tail end to the middle order.

Read next: Who are the leading run-scorers among active Test cricketers?

 

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The 4 best hat-tricks in T20I cricket from genuine fast bowlers

New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson took a T20I hat-trick against Sri Lanka in Dambulla during November 2024. Ferguson is among the quickest bowlers in world cricket these days.

Hat-tricks, of course, are not reserved for fast bowlers, but it’s often a viewing spectacle when pace aces castle stumps, force catches and ensure positive lbw appeals.

When conditions and circumstances are right, fast bowlers have a tendency to succeed more than spinners and standard seamers.

Here are five entertaining examples of genuine fast bowlers going three in three in the shortest format of the international game.

Pat Cummins

The Australian fast bowler was truly marvelous en route to two hat-tricks during the 2024 T20 World Cup. The first was against Bangladesh in North Sound and the second against Afghanistan in Kingstown. Cummins enjoyed the Caribbean conditions a lot, indeed.

Claiming two hat-tricks within three days is an outstanding feat. Cummins was named player of the match in victory over Bangladesh. His hat-trick was not enough to prevent defeat to Afghanistan, though.

Read more: The 4 best hat-tricks in T20I cricket from genuine fast bowlers

Josh Little

Ireland have longed for an outright fast bowler for an extended period. They now have one in Little, whose pace and success at international level have also brought him renown in the Indian Premier League. Little was sensational for the Irish against New Zealand in November 2023, removing Kane Williamson, James Neesham and Mitchell Santner in succession.

Conditions at the Adelaide Oval played right into his hands. He, alongside Curtis Campher, are the only players to have taken a T20I hat-trick for Ireland.

Jason Holder

The lanky West Indies star has lost some pace in recent years, but in January 2022 he was bowling rapidly – and cherished the pitch on offer in Bridgetown. So good were the conditions, actually, that Holder did not stop at three in three – he went four in four.

Chris Jordan, Sam Billings, Adil Rashid and Saqib Mahmood had no answer to Holder’s brilliance. Only four men have taken four wickets in four successive deliveries in T20I cricket – Holder, Campher, Sri Lanka’s Lasith Malinga and Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan.

Kagiso Rabada

This time, it was the 2021 T20 World Cup, and again England’s Jordan was among the victims. Rabada relished conditions in Sharjah, which didn’t traditionally suit fast bowling but evidently did on this day. Chris Woakes, Eoin Morgan and Jordan crashed in succession as South Africa secured a 10-run win.

Rabada did not get the player of the match accolade, though. That award went to Rassie van der Dussen for a solid 94 not out.

Read next: These 5 players have shared 23 ducks in Test cricket in 2024

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Who has the most player of the series awards in Test, ODI and T20I cricket?

Find out who has won the most player of the series awards in Test, ODI and T20I cricket.

You might be surprised to learn that India have dominated things here.

One of them has not retired yet and could still add to his impressive tally.

Ravichandran Ashwin – Tests

Ashwin has collected 11 player of the series awards in Test cricket since debuting in international cricket in 2011. He also has one player of the series award in T20I cricket. Ashwin’s status among world cricket’s best all-rounders has long been argued, but there is no denying his among the greatest spinners to grace the game.

For a man to collected a player of the series award effectively every 10 Tests, he has to be genuinely consistent and successful at and away from home conditions. Ashwin has exemplified this throughout his outstanding career.

Sri Lanka‘s Muttiah Muralitharan also collected 11 player of the series awards in Test match cricket.

Read more: These are the 9 biggest sixes in the history of cricket

Sachin Tendulkar – ODIs

More than 18,400 runs and 49 centuries later, it’s not hard to believe that Tendulkar picked up a whopping 15 ODI player of the series awards. Only two other men have reached double figures here – Virat Kohli and Sanath Jayasuriya with 11 each.

Tendulkar’s 15 averaged across 108 series for a remarkable average. He also landed five Test player of the series awards. It’s little wonder he is considered by many as the best Test and ODI batsman to date.

Tendulkar only ever played one T20I as the rise of the format coincided with the twilight of his international career. It’s not unimaginable that he would have racked up many player of the series awards in this format, too, had the timing been different.

Virat Kohli – T20Is

Kohli has claimed seven player of the series awards in T20I cricket. His closest rivals are Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and Australian batter David Warner with five each.

It’s well worth noting that Kohli hasn’t just been strong in T20I competition. He has a solid split of player of the series awards elsewhere, too. It’s three in Tests and 11 in ODIs.

He has retired from T20 cricket, so won’t be adding to that tally, and time will tell if he bothers with more ODI cricket. But Test cricket remains a happy hunting ground for the India talisman, who’ll be determined to fetch more player of the series awards in the longest format of the international game.

Read next: 4 players have now hit back-to-back centuries in T20I cricket

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The leading run-scorers for each country among the ICC’s top 9

Kusal Perera recently overtook Tillakaratne Dilshan as Sri Lanka’s leading run-scorer in T20I cricket. Perera has been relatively prolific for his country in this format of the international game for an extended period.

Others have done the same, too, including Ireland’s Paul Stirling and Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza, but those small countries are not necessarily among the top nine in the International Cricket Council’s rankings for T20I teams.

Let’s take a look at the leading run-scorers for each top nine country on the ICC’s team T20I rankings.

Rohit Sharma – India

One of only two men to have hit five centuries in T20I cricket, alongside Glenn Maxwell, Sharma is India’s top run-scorer in T20I cricket with 4,200-plus runs in 150-plus innings. His closest rival overall and for India is Virat Kohli.

Babar Azam – Pakistan

The man with the most fours in T20I cricket is also Pakistan’s top run-scorer in the format. Azam has amassed 4,100-plus runs in almost 120 innings in the shortest format of the international game. A lot of this was done while captaining the team, too.

Martin Guptill – New Zealand

Guptill effectively exited T20I cricket in 2022, but not before coming New Zealand’s leading run-scorer in T20I competition with 3,531 in 118 innings. Nowadays, he travels the world on short-term contracts in domestic T20 competitions such as the Pakistan Super League.

David Warner – Australia

Warner has been a household name in T20I cricket for many years. He is Australia‘s top run-scorer in the format despite having only scored one century. Warner batted in each one of the 110 T20Is he played until late November 2024.

Read more: These are the 9 biggest sixes in the history of cricket

Jos Buttler – England

Captain, wicketkeeper and main provider of top-order runs – the onus on Buttler to deliver on cue has been evident for a long time. And he has duly obliged as England’s top run-scorer in T20I cricket with more than 3,200 runs in nearly 120 innings.

Quinton de Kock – South Africa

De Kock has retired from Test cricket and done the same with ODI competition. Whether he will continue to play T20I cricket and add to his leading tally for South Africa remains in the balance. De Kock has hit 2,584 runs in 91 innings in this format.

Shakib Al Hasan – Bangladesh

As one of the top all-rounders in the format for several years, Al Hasan has ensured that his responsibility with the ball hasn’t necessarily taken away from his key contributions with the bat. He is Bangladesh‘s top T20I scorer with over 2,500 runs.

Nicholas Pooran – West Indies

Any player who has scored more T20I runs than countryman Chris Gayle deserves plenty of credit. Step up Pooran, who is the West Indies’ top run-scorer in T20I cricket. He has more than 2,200 T20I runs – and is still chasing a maiden ton in the format.

Kusal Perera – Sri Lanka

Perera, indeed, recently overtook Dilshan to become Sri Lanka’s top run-scorer in T20I cricket. Perera is closing in on 2,000 runs in the format. He’s also still waiting on a maiden T20I century.

Read next: 4 players have now hit back-to-back centuries in T20I cricket

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West Indies vs England, first T20: Score and latest updates from Barbados

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4 players have now hit back-to-back centuries in T20I cricket – who are they?

Reaching a century in the shortest format of the international game is a tremendous feat. It takes solid shot selection, outstanding stroke play and a bit of luck to do this.

Hitting two T20I tons in a row, though, has to be considered remarkable. The powers of concentration and focus to do this are immense.

This has only happened four times in the history of T20I cricket. Let’s recall who pulled off these amazing acts, who they did it against and how the numbers came together.

Sanju Samson

India‘s Sanju Samson is the latest cricketer to hit consecutive centuries in T20I cricket. The first came against Bangladesh in Hyderabad on 12 October 2024, when 47 balls brought him an impressive 111. That knock featured 11 fours and eight sixes.

The second was almost a month later, against South Africa at Kingsmead in Durban on 8 November. Samson hit seven fours and 10 sixes on his way to 107 from 50 balls against the Proteas.

Phil Salt

England‘s Phil Salt can certainly consider the Caribbean a happy hunting ground. On 16 and 19 December 2023, Salt celebrated Christmas early with back-to-back centuries against the West Indies. The first came in St George’s and the second Tarouba.

His 109 not out and 119 included a total of 11 four and 19 sixes. That’s some sensational hitting, indeed. The 109 came off 56 balls. The 119 came off 57. The opposition bowling attack had little to no answer for Salt’s assault.

Read more: The 5 most prolific left-arm spinners in the history of Test cricket

Rilee Rossouw

South Africa star Rilee Rossouw’s international career took a break when he signed a Kolpak contract to play domestic cricket in England. But when he returned to the Proteas fray, he showed exactly what they had been missing. On 4 October 2022, Rossouw smashed 100 not out off 48 deliveries against India in Indore.

That knock included seven fours and eight sixes. Later that month, on 27 October against Bangladesh in Sydney, Rossouw shone at the T20 World Cup. This time, he hammered 109 from 56, including seven fours and eight sixes again.

Gustav Mckeon

Several years ago, the International Cricket Council decided to give T20I status across the board. That’s why Mckeon gets to feature in this list, even if his feat could be considered inferior to those achieved by Salt, Rossouw and Samson. On 25 and 27 July 2022, Mckeon hit 101 against Norway in Kerava and 109 versus Switzerland in Vantaa, respectively.

He totalled 10 fours and 17 sixes for those two knocks for France. Granted, the French are not really a recognised cricketing country, but Mckeon has become a household name among the smaller nations now.

Read next: Who are the leading run-scorers among active Test cricketers?

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Border-Gavaskar Trophy – 5 interesting Australia v India Test records

The latest series of Border-Gavaskar Trophy Tests will start in November 2024. Australia and India, indeed, will be at it again as two of the greatest rivals in Test cricket contest five matches.

This time, the series will be held in Australia – and both teams will be keen to grab points in the International Cricket Council’s World Test Championship.

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy has churned out several records over a few days. We’re bound to see more along the way and it’s a good time to recall the ones already in place.

Most Border-Gavaskar Trophy runs

Sachin Tendulkar has scored the most runs in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He averaged 56 against Australia in Test cricket en route to 3,262 runs in 65 innings. His tally included nine centuries and 16 half-tons – and a highest score of 241 not out.

Australia’s leading run-scorer in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is Ricky Ponting with 2,555 in 51 innings for an average of 54. Among active players, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli and Steven Smith are leading the charge among the Border-Gavaskar Trophy’s leading run-scorers this decade.

Most Border-Gavaskar Trophy wickets

Nathan Lyon has taken the most wickets in Test cricket for Australia against India. In fact, spin bowlers hold the top five positions in terms of wickets taken in the history of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

The other spinners are Ravichandran Ashwin, Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh and Ravindra Jadeja. Lyon has taken 116 wickets to Ashwin’s 114. They’ll be in for an interesting tussle during the 2024 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Among seamers, Zaheer Khan took 61 Border-Gavaskar Trophy wickets.

Read more: The 5 most prolific left-arm spinners in the history of Test cricket

Highest Border-Gavaskar Trophy score

Michael Clarke holds the record for the highest individual score in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Clarke hit a monumental 329 not out against India in Sydney in 2012. He spent more than 10 hours at the crease and collected 39 fours and one six.

Michael Hussey and Ponting hit centuries in the same innings to eventually ensure an innings and 28-run win for the home side. India’s highest score in this series is the 281 amassed by VVS Laxman at Eden Gardens in 2001.

Best Border-Gavaskar Trophy bowling figures

Four bowlers have taken eight wickets in an innings in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Lyon has done it twice. The others to have achieved this feat are Harbhajan, Kumble and Jason Krejza.

Krejza was on Test debut in Nagpur at the time in 2008. He took eight for 215 in that match – and only represented Australia in Test cricket one more time later that year.

Most Border-Gavaskar Trophy Tests as captain

MS Dhoni captained India 13 times in this series, winning eight, losing four and drawing one match. Australia’s most capped captain in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is Ponting, who managed two wins, six defeats and three draws.

Ajinkya Rahane has the highest win ratio among Border-Gavaskar Trophy captains – 75 percent gathered across three victories in four attempts.

Read next: Who are the leading run-scorers among active Test cricketers?

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These are the 9 biggest sixes in the history of cricket

More and more cricket leagues are appearing around the world, with six-hitting getting more destructive every day.

Gone are the days when batters wanted to solely hit the ball out of the park, nowadays, it is all about who can club the ball the most metres.

Bats are thicker, and with even more pace on the ball, the future of six-hitting is limitless.

With the Australian Big Bash League teeing off again in a month and the Indian Premier League not long after, the record for the longest-recorded six may be at risk.

Here are the longest sixes ever recorded in cricket.

9. Yuvraj Singh – 119 metres

The Indian was prolific across all formats and scored eight half-centuries for India in T20Is. His ability to come in down the order and take on the bowlers made him a dangerous all-rounder.

His 119m six for his nation against India would have just cleared the length of a football pitch.

=8. Adam Gilchrist – 122 metres

Gilchrist was a legendary wicketkeeper-batsman for Australia and a constant feature in cricket’s record books.

His sensational 122-metre heave was for Punjab at the expense of South African Charl Langeveldt.

=8. Mark Waugh – 122 metres

The next Australian cricketing hero, Waugh, held the record of the longest six for a long time following his 1999 dispatching of New Zealand’s Daniel Vettori.

With the cricket bats available nowadays, who knows how much further he could have smashed his six.

=8. Liam Livingstone – 122 metres

The English all-rounder was in a destructive mood when his nation came up against Pakistan in a T20I.

His 122-metre effort flew out of the stadium and eventually touched down on a nearby rugby pitch.

Read more: The 5 most prolific left-arm spinners in the history of Test cricket

5. Albie Morkel – 124 metres

The big South Africa big-hitter was playing for Chennai in the IPL when he hit leg-spinner Pragyan Ojha over the fence for six.

A 122-metre six with not much pace on the ball perhaps doesn’t get the respect it deserves.

4. Martin Guptill – 127 metres

The Kiwi had an over to remember when his side came up against South Africa.

He hit his first six of the over 102m before sending the next for a mammoth 127 metres.

3. Aiden Blizzard – 130 metres

The batter lived up to his name with a destructive strike of the cricket ball at the WACA in 2008.

The ball flew 130 metres over the square leg boundary for the biggest maximum in domestic cricket history.

2. Brett Lee – 135 metres

Despite being more commonly associated with bowling rockets, the Australian paceman could hit them, too.

The ball flew out of the stands into the practice nets outside a massive 135 metres.

1. Shahid Afridi – 153 metres

Many former players consider it the greatest strike of a cricket ball in history. The Pakistani player smoked a maximum that gave him a place in the history books.

A staggering 153 metres out of the ground and into orbit, longer than the Expedition Cruise Vessel.

Read next: Who are the leading run-scorers among active Test cricketers?

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Indian Premier League mega player auction – 5 important answered

The Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians and other franchises are gearing up for the mega player auction for the 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League.

Most of the 10 teams are set for plenty of changes after announcing their retained player and those who have been released. Coaching and captaincy changes are afoot, too.

The Delhi Capitals, Royal Challengers Bangalore and other units will be looking to boost their resources in pursuit of a maiden IPL title next year.

When and where is the IPL mega auction?

The IPL mega auction will be held on 24 and 25 November 2024. The two-day event will take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. With 10 25-man squads to be filled, 204 slots will be available.

Which players have registered for the IPL mega auction?

A total of 1,574 players have registered. The total comprises 1,165 Indian players and 409 from elsewhere around the world. Read this list of the number of players registered from each country:

• Afghanistan: 29
• Australia: 76
• Bangladesh: 13
• Canada: 4
• England: 52
• Ireland: 9
• Italy: 1
• Netherlands: 12
• New Zealand: 39
• Scotland: 2
• South Africa: 91
• Sri Lanka: 29
• United Arab Emirates: 1
• United States of America: 10
• West Indies: 33
• Zimbabwe: 8

Former England fast bowler James Anderson is among the notable inclusions, while countryman Ben Stokes has opted out of this player auction. Anderson has not played a T20 in a decade – and has never participated in the Indian Premier League.

Read more: Jos Buttler leaves Rajasthan Royals – where could he go in the IPL?

Will there be captaincy changes after the IPL mega auction?

Batsmen Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer will no longer captain the Delhi Capitals, Lucknow Super Giants and Kolkata Knight Riders, respectively. They have all been released. Whether Pant, Rahul or Iyer will captain in the tournament again remains in the balance. Former captains Faf du Plessis and Sam Curran, meanwhile, have exited Bangalore and the Punjab Kings as well.

Are associate nation players available at the IPL mega auction?

Italy’s Thomas Draca is among the associate nation players registered for the auction. The seamer has been capped four times at T20I level – and has played for the Brampton Wolves in the Global T20 Canada. Draca has also been recruited by MI Emirates for the next International League T20 in the UAE.

Who have reigning IPL champions KKR retained before the auction?

The Knight Riders have not kept Iyer, but the following six players are staying:

1. Rinku Singh
2. Varun Chakravarthy
3. Sunil Narine
4. Andre Russell
5. Harshit Rana
6. Ramandeep Singh

West Indian stars Russell and Narine were key to KKR’s third IPL title success in 2024 with bat and ball.

Read next: Who are the leading run-scorers among active Test cricketers?

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Each country’s leading Test run-scorer in 2024 – David Bedingham and more

England have six batters among 2024’s top run-scorers in Test cricket so far. But how are other players from other countries placed?

From Joe Root and David Bedingham to Rachin Ravindra and Kamindu Mendis and more, let’s find out who the top batters in Test cricket are this year.

The performances of these select individuals have certainly had an impact on their team’s position on the International Cricket Council’s World Test Championship points table.

Australia

Cameron Green is Australia’s leading run-scorer in Test cricket this year. Where the top order has failed, the all-rounder has succeeded en route to 302 runs in seven innings for an average of 50.

India

Yashasvi Jaiswal has packed plenty of punch at the top of the order in 2024. Seven half-centuries and two tons later, Jaiswal has collected 1119 runs in 21 innings at an average of 56. He is second only to Root overall this year.

Sri Lanka

Mendis has delivered 943 runs in 12 innings for his country this year. The tally includes a whopping five centuries. Other than Mendis, only Root has also hit this many Test tons in 2024.

New Zealand

Ravindra has been outstanding for the Black Caps – 855 runs in 15 innings at an average of 50 attests to this. He was key to New Zealand’s recent three-nil Test series win over India, in India.

South Africa

Bedingham has batted a dozen times in Test cricket in 2024. He is averaging 36 after hitting one century and two half-tons. There is a lot of expectation ahead of this man from Proteas fans.

Read more: How Ajaz Patel ranks among Ian Botham and Shane Warne

England

Root is his country and Test cricket overall’s leading run-scorer in 2024. He hit a double-ton against Pakistan in Multan. He struck two centuries in one Test against Sri Lanka at Lord’s. Overall, Root has 1338 runs in 25 knocks at an average of 58.

Pakistan

Mohammad Rizwan isn’t just a limited-overs specialist. Look at his 2024 Test numbers, which have yielded 509 runs in 11 innings for an average of 51. He is leading Saud Shakeel and others by example.

Bangladesh

Bangladesh have needed to move on from the days of Shakib Al Hasan carrying the run-scoring responsibility. Mehidy Hasan Miraz has stepped up. He has gathered 468 runs in 14 innings at an average of 39 in 2024.

West Indies

Kavem Hodge played his maiden Test in 2024 and has emerged as the West Indies‘ top run-scorer in the format this year. A breakout season, indeed, for him. Hodge has 418 runs in 14 innings in 2024. His average is 30.

Ireland

Ireland have only played two Tests in 2024. Lorcan was selected for both – and scored 129 runs in four innings. This included a half-century against Zimbabwe.

Afghanistan

Ibrahim Zadran has also only played two Tests for Afghanistan in 2024. He capitalised on limited opportunity with a ton and a half-ton en route to 179 runs for an average of 45.

Zimbabwe

Prince Masvaure hit 74 and 12 against Ireland in Zimbabwe’s only Test of the year. At 36 years old, Masvaure will anticipate more chances at Test level during the twilight of his career.

Read next: Who are the leading run-scorers among active Test cricketers?

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England v West Indies head-to-head – top T20I performers

England and the West Indies will meet for a T20I series this month. It’s usually a spectacle of entertaining cricket when these two teams meet in the shortest format of the international game.

England have won the T20 World Cup twice. The West Indies have the same number of T20 World Cup titles. They’ll be sizing each other up ahead of the next tournament in 2026.

For now, this bilateral series is an opportune time to reflect on how they have fared against each other in this format – individually and collectively.

England’s top T20I wicket-taker v West Indies

Adil Rashid has taken the most wickets for England against the West Indies in T20I competition. He has 32 wickets in 19 matches against the old enemy. Rashid has done this at an economy rate of just under six and average a bit over 12.

Impressive numbers, indeed. The leg-spinner has consistently proven successful due to his ability to find extra bounce and turn in even the most placid conditions. He’ll have the opportunity to build on this solid record against the Windies this month.

England’s top T20I run-scorer v West Indies

England have confirmed Phil Salt, not Jos Buttler, will keep wicket in the upcoming series. But it’s Salt’s renown with the bat, rather than his role behind the stumps, that is the most interesting. He has already struck 478 runs in nine T20I innings against the West Indies. These runs have come at an average of 68 and strike rate of 188.

Salt knows how to go big during the opening powerplay and these opening stages of the innings have been key to his top performances against the West Indies. He has two tons in T20I cricket – both came against the West Indies, within four days of each other, in 2023. Salt will be keen to succeed in the Caribbean again.

Read more: How Ajaz Patel ranks among Ian Botham and Shane Warne

West Indies’ top T20I wicket-taker v England

Akeal Hosein is among the best left-arm spinners around the world, especially in T20I cricket. His record against England is particularly solid – and includes 16 wickets in 12 T20Is. But he isn’t his country’s leading wicket-taker in this format against the English.

That status belongs to Jason Holder. The lanky pace ace has collected 23 wickets in 13 matches against England. Few will forget the stunning five-wicket haul he landed against England in Bridgetown in 2022. This big performance ensured the Windies a three-two win in the five-match series. He snared the Player of the Match and Player of the Series awards, too.

West Indies’ top T20I run-scorer v England

Nicholas Pooran is just three runs away from overtaking Chris Gayle as the West Indies‘ top scorer against England in T20I cricket. Pooran has 420 runs in 15 innings to Gayle’s 422 in 14.

When or if Pooran goes past Gayle, this small record might slip under the public’s radar, but it’s pretty monumental given the T20 cricketing status of the man he’ll overtake.

Read next: Who are the leading run-scorers among active Test cricketers?

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The 5 most prolific left-arm spinners in the history of Test cricket

As many as 114 wickets in 30 Test innings fell to left-arm spinners in the three recent Test series from the period of early October to early November 2024.

If you’ve been watching Test cricket recently, you may have noticed a trend of left-arm spinners cleaning up some high-quality batting attacks.

Two of the top three wicket-takers in all of the Pakistan vs England, Bangladesh vs South Africa and India vs New Zealand Test series were left-arm spinners.

But who are the most prolific left-arm spinners in the history of the longest format of the international game?

5. Daniel Vettori

Daniel Vettori was New Zealand’s youngest Test cricketer and developed into one of the game’s most dependable all-rounders. He was the youngest man to take 100 Test wickets at the age of 21.

A thoughtful left-arm spinner, Vettori’s strength lay in his subtle variation and control rather than pure spin. Vettori was the first left-arm spin bowler to take more than 300 wickets in both Test matches and ODIs.

Given the typical nature of pitches in New Zealand, he would often be operating on pitches that offered minimal assistance to spinners. His high cricketing IQ and unselfish approach made him a respected figure in New Zealand cricket and a beloved international competitor. His final Test record of 362 Test wickets is not too shabby either.

4. Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja is arguably the best current left-arm spinner in Tests. With his tight lines and lengths, he rarely alllows batters score freely. He has three ten-wicket hauls and 15 five-wicket hauls to his Test record.

His rise in international cricket has been marked by consistent performances, especially on subcontinental pitches where he exploits turn and bounce. Jadeja’s athleticism in the field and ability to add valuable runs lower down the order make him an invaluable all-round asset to the Indian team too.

He is one of the most reliable left-arm spinners in the modern era with 319 Test wickets. The scary part is that the all-rounder still has time to improve his impressive Test record.

Read more: How Ajaz Patel ranks among Ian Botham and Shane Warne after NZ sweep India 3-0

3. Bishan Singh Bedi

Bishan Singh Bedi, part of India’s renowned spin quartet, brought artistry to left-arm spin with his graceful action and flighted deliveries.

Renowned for his control and the deceptive loop he generated, Bedi’s bowling appeared effortless but required immense skill.

Over 67 Tests, he claimed 266 wickets. Bedi’s integrity and sportsmanship were as celebrated as his skills and has become an icon in Indian cricket history. His approach to spin bowling inspired generations.

He remains a revered figure for his contributions to the game. Bedi was awarded the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award in India, in 1970.

2. Derek Underwood

Derek Underwood, known as ‘Deadly’, earned a fearsome reputation in the late 1960s and 70s as one of England’s most reliable Test wicket-takers.

Underwood’s bowling style relied on accuracy and a relentless, flat trajectory that was difficult to attack. He was especially lethal in the English damp conditions where his deliveries would skid sharply off the pitch.

Underwood took 297 wickets over 86 Tests and became an integral part of England’s Test bowling attack. His unique approach made him stand out among spinners. His efficiency on sticky wickets earned him legendary status in English and world cricket.

He was also president of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in 2008.

1. Rangana Herath

Stepping up after Muttiah Muralitharan’s retirement, Herath shouldered the spin-bowling burden with incredible consistency. His mastery of flight, drift and subtle variations allowed him to dismantle batting lineups on the turning tracks of his Sri Lanka home conditions.

Often working without much pace or bounce, Herath relied on accuracy and mental strength to outfox batters.

He finished his Test career with 433 wickets at a commendable average, but incredibly took nine ten-wicket match hauls and 34 five-wicket hauls in an innings.

His influence locally and internationally set a new benchmark for left-arm spinners in Test cricket.

Read next: Who are the leading run-scorers among active Test cricketers?

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Who are the leading run-scorers among ACTIVE Test cricketers?

The list of leading run-scorers in the history of Test cricket is lined with players who have since retired.

It’s well worth noting which batters are still playing the longest format of the international game – and their status among those who have since called it a day.

5. Angelo Mathews

Sitting in 36th position among Test cricket’s leading run-scorers – and fifth among those still playing the format – is the Sri Lankan all-rounder. Well, let’s call him a batter for now, as injury continues to limit his role with the ball.

Mathews has been playing Test cricket since 2009 and despite, several stints on the sidelines due to various injuries, has collected more Test runs than former England batters Mike Atherton and Ian Bell – and is closing in on Australia’s Mark Waugh and England’s Kevin Pietersen.

4. Kane Williamson

Another batter prone to injury and periods out of action due to injury is the former New Zealand captain. Williamson has made a name for himself as somewhat of a hunter and gatherer of runs rather than for flashy innings laced with boundaries.

He recently reached 100 Test caps and is nearing 9,000 runs in the format. His conversion rate is outstanding – 32 centuries to 35 half-tons. Those impressive numbers make it entirely understandable why he is among this illustrious top five.

3. Virat Kohli

The Indian talisman has Williamson hot on his heels. They’re only separated by former England captain Graham Gooch. Kohli’s prowess with the bat has arguably been empowered since he gave up the Test captaincy.

Many will remember for decades to come for his superb stretch of form in ODI cricket, but his Test numbers are to be heralded for a long time as well. Kohli is about 1,000 shy at the moment, but is effectively looking to become only the 15th batter in the history of Test cricket to reach 10,000 runs.

2. Steven Smith

Smith’s move to the top of Australia’s Test batting order in the wake of David Warner’s exit didn’t really work. It has since been made known that he will return to the middle order, which has been a prolific home for him since the leg spinner-turned-batter started playing international cricket in 2010.

Many of his most famous innings, of course, have come against arch rivals England during the fabled Ashes series. Smith is as animated as they come in his flamboyant leaves and extravagant drives. He is also nearing 10,000 Test runs – and has Pakistan’s Younis Khan and India’s Sunil Gavaskar in his sights.

1. Joe Root

Leading this blockbuster list is the England kingpin. Yet another former captain still playing the game and batting opposition bowling attacks into the ground, Root recently became his country’s top run-scorer in Test cricket.

The great Alastair Cook is now second to Root. In England’s so-called ‘Bazball era’, Root is happy to stick to what he knows best and hasn’t necessarily adapted his shot selection and stroke play to the fad. That said, we do love it when he whips out reverse hits and switch hits against seamers. These shots are usually reserved for T20I cricket, but not for Root evidently.

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Pakistan’s first bilateral ODI series in Australia in 7 years – 6 things YOU need to know

Pakistan will soon start their first bilateral ODI series in Australia since 2017. What happened the last time the rivals met in the intermediate format of the international game seven years ago?

David Warner v Hasan Ali

Australia took an early series lead in Brisbane before Pakistan hit back to level proceedings in Melbourne. But that was the tourists’ first and last win of the series, as the Aussies levelled up in Perth, Sydney and Adelaide to complete a four-one scoreline. David Warner scored the most runs in the series with 367 in five innings and Hasan Ali’s tally of 12 was the most wickets in the series.

The first-innings totals got progressively bigger from the second ODI and, at the end of the series, six centuries had been hit. Warner collected two and Travis Head, Babar Azam, Steven Smith and Matthew Wade one each. That was Wade’s first and last century in ODI cricket. He recently announced his retirement from international cricket.

Personnel differences

Australia debuted Billy Stanlake, Chris Lynn and Peter Handscomb in ODI cricket during the series. Seven years later, Stanlake, Lynn and Handscomb’s careers have not progressed well enough for them to be deemed solid enough for selection for this series. Stanlake, in fact, has only collected six more ODI since that 2017 debut.

Pakistan won’t have coach Gary Kirsten for this series. He resigned recently, effectively forcing the Pakistan Cricket Board to push Test coach Jason Gillespie into the limited-overs role in Australia. Mohammad Rizwan, meanwhile, has succeeded Babar Azam as ODI captain. It’s pretty much all change among Pakistan’s leadership again.

Australia won’t have Mitchell Marsh, Cameron Green and Head for this series. That’s quite a challenge for their batting ranks, but plenty of opportunity for Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie and others to step up. Marcus Stoinis is back in the ODI fold. He can add a lot of value with bat and ball in the absence of Green.

The bigger picture

Both teams are effectively preparing for the next Champions Trophy, which will be played early next year. Pakistan will host the competition in 2025, while Australia are the most successful team in the history of the tournament with two titles. This preceding bilateral series, then, should act as an interesting teaser for what is to come next year.

 

 

 

 

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HOW Ajaz Patel ranks among Ian Botham and Shane Warne after NZ sweep India 3-0

New Zealand completed an historic three-nil Test series win over India in India this week. The final fixture and the series overall yielded several interesting statistics.

Ajaz Patel right up there with Shane Warne and Ian Botham

New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel has now taken 85 wickets in his first 21 Tests. Incredibly, he has not taken one in New Zealand. The 11 he took in Mumbai recently took him to 32 Test wickets in India. He has also taken 14 in Bangladesh, four in England, 17 in Sri Lanka – and 18 in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.

The Wankhede Stadium has been a successful hunting ground for Patel. He has taken 25 Test wickets at this venue – the most by any bowler against India, in India. England’s Ian Botham held the record previously with 22. Patel has also become one of eight bowlers to take two Test 10-fors at an away venue. The illustrious list includes Shane Warne, who took two 10-fors at The Oval in London.

Tough year at the office for Rohit Sharma

Captain Rohit Sharma is averaging a mere 13.3 after 10 Test innings during India’s current home season. This is among the lowest ever for a captain across a home Test season – with a qualifier of an eight-innings minimum and position among the top seven batters. In 2000, England’s Nasser Hussain averaged just 10.22 across six home Tests. Sharma  has collected five home Test defeats this year.

“Something like this will be a very low point in my career, you know, having lost three games at home. And, yes, we, I fully take the responsibility for that as a captain and as a leader as well. I have not been at the best of my abilities right from the start of the series. And yeah, with the bat as well, I’ve not been good enough,” said Sharma.

Left-armers’ union

Ravindra Jadeja and Patel shared four five-wicket hauls in the third and final Test of the series in Mumbai. This is the first time two left-armers – spin or seam – have combined for this in the same Test. The previous southpaws to do this were Pakistan’s Iqbal Qasim and England’s Ray Bright in Karachi in 1980.

Black Caps, Whitewash

This is the first time the Black Caps have won three Tests in a series. India’s win-loss record while pursuing targets of 200 or less at home has moved to 31-1. This is also the first time they have lost a Test in Mumbai. They now have four losses in 10 home Tests in 2024. The last time they collected this many home Test defeats was in 1969.

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West Indies vs England, second ODI: Score and latest updates from Antigua

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Who are the leading run-scorers among ACTIVE Test cricketers?

The list of leading run-scorers in the history of Test cricket is lined with players who have since retired.

It’s well worth noting which batters are still playing the longest format of the international game – and their status among those who have since called it a day.

5. Angelo Mathews

Sitting in 36th position among Test cricket’s leading run-scorers – and fifth among those still playing the format – is the Sri Lankan all-rounder. Well, let’s call him a batter for now, as injury continues to limit his role with the ball.

Mathews has been playing Test cricket since 2009 and despite, several stints on the sidelines due to various injuries, has collected more Test runs than former England batters Mike Atherton and Ian Bell – and is closing in on Australia’s Mark Waugh and England’s Kevin Pietersen.

4. Kane Williamson

Another batter prone to injury and periods out of action due to injury is the former New Zealand captain. Williamson has made a name for himself as somewhat of a hunter and gatherer of runs rather than for flashy innings laced with boundaries.

He recently reached 100 Test caps and is nearing 9,000 runs in the format. His conversion rate is outstanding – 32 centuries to 35 half-tons. Those impressive numbers make it entirely understandable why he is among this illustrious top five.

3. Virat Kohli

The Indian talisman has Williamson hot on his heels. They’re only separated by former England captain Graham Gooch. Kohli’s prowess with the bat has arguably been empowered since he gave up the Test captaincy.

Many will remember for decades to come for his superb stretch of form in ODI cricket, but his Test numbers are to be heralded for a long time as well. Kohli is about 1,000 shy at the moment, but is effectively looking to become only the 15th batter in the history of Test cricket to reach 10,000 runs.

2. Steven Smith

Smith’s move to the top of Australia’s Test batting order in the wake of David Warner’s exit didn’t really work. It has since been made known that he will return to the middle order, which has been a prolific home for him since the leg spinner-turned-batter started playing international cricket in 2010.

Many of his most famous innings, of course, have come against arch rivals England during the fabled Ashes series. Smith is as animated as they come in his flamboyant leaves and extravagant drives. He is also nearing 10,000 Test runs – and has Pakistan’s Younis Khan and India’s Sunil Gavaskar in his sights.

1. Joe Root

Leading this blockbuster list is the England kingpin. Yet another former captain still playing the game and batting opposition bowling attacks into the ground, Root recently became his country’s top run-scorer in Test cricket.

The great Alastair Cook is now second to Root. In England’s so-called ‘Bazball era’, Root is happy to stick to what he knows best and hasn’t necessarily adapted his shot selection and stroke play to the fad. That said, we do love it when he whips out reverse hits and switch hits against seamers. These shots are usually reserved for T20I cricket, but not for Root evidently.

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Ben Stokes reveals home was burgled by ‘masked’ gang while family were present

England captain Ben Stokes has appealed for information to find “masked” burglars who broke into his home while his wife and two children were present and stole his OBE among numerous other personal items.

Stokes was in Pakistan on England duty when his house in the Durham village of Castle Eden was broken into on the evening of October 17.

Describing the break-in on his personal X account, Stokes also posted pictures of items stolen from his home.

APPEAL On the evening of Thursday 17th October a number of masked people burgled my home in the Castle Eden area in the North East. They escaped with jewellery, other valuables and a good deal of personal items. Many of those items have real sentimental value for me and my…

— Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) October 30, 2024

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