Abhishek Sharma turned on the afterburners as he smashed New Zealand all over the park on his way to a 14-ball half century recently. He went on to make an undefeated 68 from 20 balls as India won with ten overs to spare.
Abhishek and Suryakumar Yadav were simply awesome as they broke record after record in chasing down New Zealand’s respectable albeit average score of 153.
In reaching his 50 did Abhishek set a record for the fastest half-century by an Indian batsman? As it turns out, he did not. Here are the five fastest half centuries by an Indian batsman in T20 cricket.
The benchmark for all rapid-fire T20 innings remains Yuvraj Singh’s astonishing assault on England in the inaugural T20 World Cup. Facing Stuart Broad, Yuvraj famously smashed six sixes in an over, racing to his half century in just 12 deliveries.
It was a moment that defined early T20 cricket and announced India as a major force in the new format. Yuvraj’s innings was not just about power, but about audacity.
At the time, such levels of aggression were almost unheard of in international cricket. While the other feats on this list were al achieved in recent times, the fact that Yuvraj’s benchmark knock came in 2007 and still stands, speaks volumes as to how unique his achievement was.
Abhishek’s recent effort against New Zealand now sits just behind Yuvraj on the all-time list. Opening the batting, the world’s number one ranked T20I batsman dismantled the Black Caps attack, with a combination of clean hitting and fearless intent.
His 14 ball fifty came inside the powerplay and effectively ended the contest before it had truly begun.
What made the knock even more impressive was the context: it was a series India were desperate to dominate, after losing the preceding ODI leg, as they looked to establish meaningful momentum ahead of the imminent T20 World Cup.
Also read: 5 exciting under-23 stars poised for breakout T20 World Cup campaigns
Hardik Pandya’s entry on the list was a reminder of why he has been one of India’s most valuable white-ball players of the past decade.
Against South Africa, he walked in with India under pressure at 115 for three in the 13th over and immediately shifted the momentum with brutal hitting through the leg side and straight down the ground.
His half century in 16 balls was built on raw power, but also on smart targeting of the bowlers.
Abhishek appears twice on this list, underlining his rapid rise as one of India’s most destructive T20 openers.
Against England at the Wankhede, a venue known for high-scoring thrillers, he again took advantage of the powerplay and thrilled a packed crowd with a blistering display of strokeplay.
The fact that two of the five fastest half centuries belong to him suggests this is not a one-off phenomenon. As it stands Abhishek boasts the highest career strike-rate of any player in T20I cricket with his 1267 runs from 35 innings coming at a strike rate of 195.22.
KL Rahul’s inclusion offers a slightly different flavour. Known more for elegance and timing than brute force, Rahul showed against Scotland that he could also operate in overdrive when required.
His 18 ball fifty came during the T20 World Cup and was a vital contribution in a must-win group game for India. His knock of 50 was part of a total of just 89 as India chased down Scotland’s modest score of 85 all out to win the game in just 6.3 overs.
Read next: Revealed – The 9 best T20 World Cup batters of all time
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With the series against South Africa now a thing of the past – India won the five‑game T20I component of the Proteas’ recent tour 3-1 – India’s preparation for the defence of their World Cup T20I title is all but done.
When the new edition of the T20 World Cup gets underway in February, India will be hoping to defend their title on home soil. They have already named their squad for the event, and it looks particularly strong.
There will be a handful of players feeling unlucky to have missed out on selection though; here are five T20 cricket stars who can consider themselves hard done by.
Without doubt the most high-profile omission, Shubman Gill has been a key figure for India in recent white-ball cricket.
With his calm presence at the top of the order and ability to play both attacking and anchoring roles, Gill has often been the team’s backbone in high-pressure games.
Gill didn’t score huge runs against South Africa, but he wasn’t out of form either. Given his role as vice-captain and his all-format experience his omission seems harsh.
His dropping has been explained as a product of a change in philosophy, with India deciding that having a wicketkeeper at the top of the order is the best way to find balance in the side.
The decision to go for that option has seen both Gill and incumbent T20I gloveman Jitesh Sharma left out while Ishan Kishan gets the nod.
Also read: Cricket’s biggest bromances – 7 duos who have played together the most
A strong contender for the wicketkeeper-batsman slot, Jitesh Sharma has impressed in recent T20I outings. Known for his quick hands behind the stumps and aggressive batting, he was often seen making a difference in tight games.
However, as explained above, the selectors have preferred to go with a keeper who can open the batting and as such Ishan Kishan, who has been in excellent form domestically, has been named as the preferred keeper.
Given his form and versatility, many feel he deserved at least a place in the 15-man squad, who are favourites across the best betting sites in India to win the T2o World Cup.
The all-round capabilities of Shahbaz Ahmed have been crucial in India’s T20I setup. His ability to bowl economical off-spin and contribute with the bat in the lower order has made him a dependable option in recent seasons.
While not a first choice, Ahmed was part of the squad for the series against South Africa. Nevertheless, with the squad prioritising other spinning options, Shahbaz missed out on the call-up.
Fans of the left-arm spinner will hope that his continued performances in domestic cricket and the IPL can earn him a spot in future tournaments.
Yet to play for India on the international stage, Ashok’s inclusion would have been a surprise, but his form in the domestic Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy has been excellent.
He is the tournament’s leading wicket taker with 22 wickets at an average of 15.63.
Sometimes outstanding domestic form is enough to sway the selectors, and while Ashok would not have started ahead of Arshdeep or Jasprit Bumrah, his presence in the squad would certainly have been merited.
At 23 years old he still has plenty of time ahead of him to force his way into the team.
A left-handed opener with a fearless approach, Yashasvi Jaiswal has been a regular in recent white-ball squads. His ability to attack from the start and rotate the strike efficiently makes him an ideal fit for T20 cricket.
Despite these credentials, he was overlooked for the World Cup squad, as the top order was packed with other experienced options.
Jaiswal’s omission highlights the challenge selectors face when balancing youth and experience, and he will be eager to make his mark in future series.
Read next: The 5 most complete, all-format bowlers who are arguably overworked
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With the T20 World Cup set to start in early February, the best white ball cricketers from around the world are preparing to assemble in India and Sri Lanka to do duty for their nations.
The tournament will feature four groups of five teams and with each squad comprised of 15 players, that means there will be 300 of the best T20 players from around the world playing in the tournament. But who will not be there
While many big names will be absent following their retirement from international cricket; players like Heinrich Klaasen and Nicholas Pooran, which players who are still available for selection are missing due to loss of form, injury or simply because they are out of favour.
Here’s seven stars who will not be at the T20 World Cup.
Few omissions are as surprising as that of Shubman Gill. Widely regarded as one of India’s premier batters across all formats, Gill has found himself squeezed out of a T20 setup that is increasingly prioritising specialists.
While his ODI numbers remain exceptional, his strike rate in T20 internationals has fluctuated and selectors appear unconvinced that his measured approach suits the high tempo demanded on India and Sri Lanka surfaces.
India have instead doubled down on aggressive openers and flexible middle order options, leaving Gill watching a major global event from home.
Baartman’s absence is one that may sting South Africa supporters who have watched his steady rise in white ball cricket.
The seam bowler has repeatedly impressed in domestic competitions and was not only the leading wicket taker in the just completed SA20, but he is also the tournament’s all time leading bowler.
The Proteas tend to favour all-out pace and in Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje they have that – Baartman is about variations and accuracy.
He has earned limited international opportunities, but a combination of injuries and intense competition among South Africa’s fast bowling ranks has worked against him.
With the Proteas opting for express pace and all-round versatility, Baartman has slipped just outside the final cut despite remaining firmly on the selectors’ radar.
Steve Smith remains one of Australia’s finest batters, but T20 cricket has increasingly become a format where reputation counts for little.
Smith’s ability to anchor an innings is unquestioned, yet Australia have moved towards younger, more explosive options who can clear the ropes from ball one.
Smith’s recent international T20 outings did little to change perceptions, and his omission reflects a strategic decision rather than a dramatic decline. At 35, he remains available but no longer central to Australia’s shortest format plans.
Also read: 5 exciting under-23 stars poised for breakout T20 World Cup campaigns
Jonny Bairstow’s exclusion highlights the ruthless depth of England’s white ball system. Once a cornerstone of England’s aggressive batting philosophy, Bairstow has struggled to rediscover consistent form following injury setbacks.
England have leaned into a new generation of power hitters and multi-dimensional players, leaving Bairstow on the outside looking in. It is a reminder of how quickly the international game moves, even for players with World Cup winning pedigree.
You could say that Mustafizur Rahman makes this list as a place holder for all Bangladesh players.
The world’s number seven ranked T20I bowler is not travelling to India. But then neither are any of his teammates after Bangladesh withdrew from the competition.
It is a big loss to the tournament and even though Bangladesh have been replaced by Scotland the reality is that Bangladesh, the ninth best T20I side in the world leave an enormous hole in the competition.
Haris Rauf’s omission will surprise many given his reputation as one of the fastest bowlers in world cricket. However, persistent fitness issues and concerns around workload management have kept him sidelined.
Pakistan have also grappled with his inconsistency in recent tournaments, particularly in the death overs. While Rauf remains a match winner on his day, selectors appear to be prioritising bowlers who can guarantee availability and control throughout the tournament.
Rauf’s omission is particularly surprising given his recent form in the BBL where he ended as the tournament’s leading wicket taker for the season with 20 scalps at an average of 16.75.
Perhaps the most debated absence on this list is Mohammad Rizwan. A prolific run scorer and former T20 captain, Rizwan’s conservative strike rate has come under increasing scrutiny (he was retired out in the BBL after making 26 runs from 23 balls).
Pakistan’s think tank has signalled a shift towards a more aggressive top order, even if it comes at the cost of reliability.
Rizwan’s exclusion suggests a philosophical change rather than a judgement on his quality, but it underlines how even proven performers are not immune when team balance and tempo are under the microscope.
That said, Babar Azam has been included in the Pakistan side, and he too has been criticized in recent times for his slower scoring – perhaps it is simply a case of not enough space in the 15 for both Babar and Rizwan.
Read next: Revealed – The 9 best T20 World Cup batters of all time
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The Ashes are done and a sense of normality is slowly returning to the world.
In unpacking how it unfolded, let’s take a moment to pick our team of the tournament – which as it turns out has more England players in it than we initially thought it would.
It probably goes to show that while England has a number of excellent players, Australia are much better as a team, which, if you think about it, probably goes a long way to explaining why South Africa are World Test Champions even though they have very few star players.
Along with Mitchell Starc, Head was the undoubted success story of the Ashes. Promoted up the order in the first Test he strafed the England bowling to all parts as Australia won inside two days.
The Perth Test was crazy and, to be fair, if Head had failed and England had managed a few early wickets the series could have looked decidedly different.
But Head didn’t fail. In fact, he scarcely failed all series as he ended the leading scorer with 629 runs (more than 200 ahead of the next best batter) at an average of 62.90.
There are not many players who divide opinion like Crawley does. To some he is a perpetual struggler to others he is a gritty hero. While Crawley may seem like an unlikely pick, his presence in this team is perhaps an indication of the lack of opening quality in either side.
Australia struggled to find a settled combination at the top of the order while for England Ben Duckett never really set the world alight.
And so it transpires that with a top score of 85, and a total of 273 runs at a modest average of 27.30, Crawley gets the nod ahead of Duckett and Jake Weatherald.
The number one test batsman in the world Root showed his class in a battling England side as he finally rid himself of the monkey that has been on his back for almost a decade – he bagged a Test century in Australia.
And having struck one, he went on to hit a second as he ended the series in second place on the run scorers list with only Travis Head ahead of him.
While number three is not his preferred position, we have to find a way to include both Root and Steve Smith in the side.
Root gets the nod at three ahead of a player like Marnus Labuschagne who will undoubtedly be disappointed to finish the series with an average of only 28.77.
Jacob Bethall shone at three in the final Test, but we aren’t going to give him the nod on the strength of one performance. His time is yet to come, and for England his emergence was a big positive from an otherwise disappointing Australian summer.
Vertigo saw him miss a Test, but aside from that Smith was at his awkward best with a highest score of 138 and an average of 57.20.
While he didn’t manage as many runs as Root, his average for the series is 13 higher than Roots which is why we have given him the number four spot. Smith is also the skipper of our side.
Also read: 5 exciting under-23 stars poised for breakout T20 World Cup campaigns
The England man is ranked as the second-best Test cricket batsman in the world and as such he will probably feel that he under delivered in Australia.
Brook showed plenty of positives as he managed to hit 358 runs (the third most of any batter in the series). But a highest score of 84 and an average of 39.77 are below par for a player of his calibre.
That said, he still makes our team ahead of Cameron Green (who started the series there for Australia) and Usman Khwaja (who finished the series there). Brook didn’t just outscore the Australian duo, he also averaged much better than them as well.
Another star of the series Carey was impeccable behind the stumps, but he also shone with the bat.
His competitor for the keeper’s gloves and the number six spot was Jamie Smith who may well have experienced a career ending series as he fully embraced the ‘Baz Ball’ philosophy and came up short time after time.
Carey, in contrast finished the series with two 50s and a 100 and an average of 46.14 – the fourth highest scorer and the fourth best average as well.
His ability to stand up to bowlers like Scott Boland and Michael Neser added pressure to the England batting as they looked to play their expansive game but found themselves forced to remain crease bound.
A fighter to the bitter end, Stokes is another who will be disappointed with how he failed to back up his pre-series talk with on field performance.
That said he still weighed in with some valuable runs and delivered admirably with the ball. He produced a top score for the series of 83 while 15 wickets and a best of five for 23 are a very solid return for a player who was England’s fifth bowler.
Player of the series and the outstanding performer. Shouldering a heavy load in the absence of Josh Hazelwood and Pat Cummins, Starc seemed to relish the opportunity to bowl more and take on additional responsibility.
He was relentlessly quick, unerringly accurate and none of the England batters ever looked comfortable against him.
He finished the series with 31 wickets (that’s an average of six per Test) at an average of 19.93. The next most prolific bowler was Brydon Carse who managed 22 scalps. Starc was simply immense.
He had a couple of handy knocks with the bat as well just to underscore his superhero status.
He didn’t play all the games, but he stepped up when called upon, finishing with 18 wickets from three games and a best performance of five for 45.
England arrived in Australia with plenty of noise being made about their pace attack which was said to be the fastest ever collective unit since the dawn of speed measurement.
But speed frequently equates to breakability and along the way they lost Mark Wood, Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson. Tongue stepped in and stepped up and he earns his spot in this side with an average of 20.11.
This team needs a spinner and even though he missed a game before getting injured, Nathan Lyon is the only option here.
The veteran spinner played just two games and managed five wickets – which was enough to see him move past Glenn McGrath and into sixth spot on the list of all-time Test wicket takers.
Lyon has proven his quality for Australia on countless occasions and although his opportunities were limited this time round, with an average of 31.40 he still took his wickets at more than 20 runs a scalp better than England’s ‘spinner’ Will Jacks.
Mr Consistent, Boland has shown himself to be a wonderful replacement for Hazelwood and Cummins. Not as quick as Starc but accurate and imposing, Boland was the perfect foil for Starc with 20 wickets at an average of 24.95.
Boland himself may be slightly disappointed with his overall performance given that he came into the series with the lowest career bowling average in more than 100 years – but even after the series he still has a career average of 18.58 (which is the 12th best average of all time).
Read next: Revealed – The 9 best T20 World Cup batters of all time
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The T20 World Cup is on the horizon with just a couple of weeks to go before it starts with a clash between Pakistan and the Netherlands.
While T20 is still relatively new, the 2026 staging of the tournament will nevertheless be its tenth.
That means there’s been a lot of cricket played in the tournament and a substantial statistical archive compiled. With T20 cricket about power-hitting and quick runs, it comes as no surprise that the tournament has traditionally rained sixes.
But which players have cleared the boundary the most frequently at this showpiece event? Let’s have a look.
Chris Gayle, famously known as the Universe Boss, is the undisputed king of the T20 World Cup six. The Jamaican left-hander’s ability to dispatch balls into the stands with effortless power made him a nightmare for bowlers in global tournaments.
Over his 31 innings across five World Cups, Gayle smashed 63 sixes, averaging more than two per match (the only player on this list with an average above two).
His six-hitting prowess was evident in 2012, when he scored 175 not out against Zimbabwe, a match that remains etched in T20 history. Gayle has consistently combined timing and brute strength, making him the most prolific six-hitter in the history of the competition.
Rohit Sharma was a cornerstone of India’s T20 World Cup batting lineup for nearly two decades. His elegant yet devastating stroke play allowed him to clear boundaries regularly, especially in the powerplay overs.
While his average sixes per innings may not match Gayle’s, Rohit’s 50 sixes across 44 innings showcase a remarkable consistency.
Now retired from the format Rohit often came in to stabilize the innings before accelerating. Rohit showed that timing, placement, and power can coexist.
His ability to read bowlers, especially spinners, made him particularly dangerous in the middle overs when bowlers struggled to contain him.
England’s Jos Buttler has redefined modern T20 batting, combining audacious stroke play with an unerring sense of timing and innovation. Across his 34 innings in T20 World Cups, he has sent 43 balls over the ropes, averaging more than one six per innings.
Buttler’s approach is aggressive from the outset, often taking the game away from the opposition in a single over. His versatility allows him to bat at any position, whether anchoring the chase or accelerating during a middle-overs slog.
Over the past decade, Buttler has become England’s go-to finisher in T20 cricket and a player who can turn matches with a single swing.
David Warner was a key figure in Australia’s T20 World Cup campaigns from 2009 until his retirement in 2024. While not quite reaching the heights of Gayle or Buttler in six-hitting frequency, Warner’s 40 sixes from 41 innings, made him a consistent threat at the top of the order.
His aggressive left-handed batting, particularly against short-pitched deliveries, allowed him to dominate bowlers in the powerplay overs. Warner’s approach was simple: attack early and unsettle the bowling.
His record includes several quickfire knocks that helped propel Australia into strong positions during crucial World Cup matches.
Also read: 5 exciting under-23 stars poised for breakout T20 World Cup campaigns
Virat Kohli, often lauded for his chasing ability, also packs a significant six-hitting punch in T20 World Cups. Across 33 innings, he has hit 35 sixes, combining aggression with precision.
Kohli’s brilliance lies in his timing and ability to pierce gaps while maintaining a high strike rate. Unlike some other big hitters, he rarely takes unnecessary risks and tends to accelerate only when required.
Kohli has produced several memorable innings in World Cups, and while his six-hitting rate is slightly lower than Buttler or Gayle, his overall consistency and ability to anchor innings makes him one of the most feared batsmen in the format.
Yuvraj Singh’s legacy in T20 World Cups is cemented not just by the number of sixes he hit but also by the timing and impact of his power-hitting. Yuvraj averaged 1.17 sixes per innings across his T20 World Cup career, often changing games with brutal hitting in the middle overs.
His most iconic performance came in the 2007 inaugural T20 World Cup, when he blasted six sixes in an over against England’s Stuart Broad in Durban.
That innings exemplified his ability to take matches away from the opposition in a single over. Yuvraj’s combination of flair and tactical awareness made him a key weapon for India in the early years of T20 World Cups.
One of the greats, Shane Watson was one of the most powerful all-rounders in the history of T20 cricket. In just 22 World Cup innings, he cleared the boundary 31 times, boasting an impressive average of 1.40 sixes per innings.
Watson’s ability to hit over long distances made him a constant threat in the middle and late overs although he was also sometimes also employed as an opener.
His flexibility allowed him to bat at different positions depending on the match situation, giving Australia a reliable big hitter in almost every scenario. Watson also contributed as a bowler and fielder, making him a true all-round asset in the T20 World Cup format.
Glenn Maxwell, affectionately known as “The Big Show,” has consistently entertained fans with his power-hitting and unorthodox strokeplay. Across 27 T20 World Cup innings, he has hit 30 sixes, often at crucial moments in the game.
Maxwell’s approach is fearless, taking risks that often pay off spectacularly – he certainly didn’t earn his nickname for nothing. His ability to accelerate scoring in the final overs makes him one of the most dangerous finishers in T20 cricket.
In addition to his batting, Maxwell offers part-time spin bowling, giving his captains tactical flexibility and making him a vital player in Australia’s T20 World Cup campaigns.
AB de Villiers, widely regarded as one of the most innovative batsmen of his generation, has also left a major mark in T20 World Cups. Over 29 innings, he hit 30 sixes, often combining elegance with explosive power.
De Villiers could play shots from virtually any position, making him nearly impossible to bowl to. His record includes several memorable innings where South Africa’s total was dramatically boosted by his rapid scoring.
De Villiers’ ability to adapt to different situations, whether consolidating or accelerating, gave his team a consistent advantage in global T20 competitions.
Read next: Revealed – The 9 best T20 World Cup batters of all time
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The T20 World Cup may be just around the corner, but there is still plenty of ODI cricket taking place.
India and New Zealand have just concluded their series, while England and Sri Lanka are set to begin a three-match showdown before turning their attention to the shortest form of the game.
Although 50-over cricket does not dominate headlines as it once did, it remains a key pillar of the modern game. With action continuing across the globe, it’s interesting to examine which players have scored centuries at the most different grounds.
Achieving hundreds at multiple venues speaks not only to career longevity, but also to adaptability to varying pitches, climates, and conditions.
Here is a look at the six batters who have reached triple figures at the most diverse locations.
Virat Kohli tops the list, a testament to his consistency and dominance across the cricketing world. With 54 centuries from 311 games, Kohli has reached three figures at 35 different grounds in 12 countries.
Whether in the subcontinent, Australia, New Zealand, or England, he has repeatedly shown the ability to adjust his game to suit the conditions. His hunger for runs and impeccable technique make him a nightmare for bowlers everywhere.
The Little Master is just behind Kohli in terms of venues, with centuries at 34 locations. Tendulkar’s career spanned over two decades, allowing him to experience the evolution of pitches and playing conditions around the world.
His 49 ODI centuries were spread across India, England, Australia, and Africa, highlighting an extraordinary capacity to perform regardless of opposition or venue.
Tendulkar’s ability to adapt to seaming conditions in England and bouncy pitches in Australia made him a truly global player.
Curiously, while Tendulkar made several ODI tons against the West Indies (including one in Malaysia), he never scored an ODI century in the Caribbean.
Rohit Sharma, known for his elegant stroke play and ability to convert starts into massive scores, has scored centuries at 26 different grounds. The master of the ODI double century, Rohit has regularly dominated both home and away series.
His record includes centuries in tournaments ranging from bilateral series to World Cups, often providing India with commanding positions through rapid yet calculated innings.
Also read: What venues are being used for the 2026 T20 World Cup?
Ricky Ponting, one of Australia’s most successful captains, scored 30 ODI centuries at 21 different venues.
Renowned for his aggressive approach and ability to anchor innings, Ponting consistently excelled in diverse conditions, from the fast tracks of Australia to the turning wickets of India.
His adaptability under pressure, particularly during World Cups, allowed him to thrive in unfamiliar environments and lead Australia to countless victories.
Hashim Amla’s elegant batting style and unflappable temperament saw him reach centuries at 21 grounds across the globe. The South Africa master was equally comfortable facing express pace in Australia as he was negotiating spin in Asia.
Amla’s consistency and ability to rotate the strike while building innings patiently allowed him to flourish in varied conditions, and his 27 centuries came in a relatively short international career compared with his peers.
AB de Villiers rounds out the list, sharing 21 venues with Ponting and Amla. Known for his improvisational genius, the South African could dismantle any bowling attack with innovative strokes while maintaining a high strike rate.
His 25 centuries across multiple continents demonstrate his unique combination of flair and technique.
De Villiers’ ability to switch gears depending on the match situation makes him one of the most versatile ODI batters in history.
Read next: The 7 shock exclusions from South Africa’s T20 World Cup squad
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The tenth staging of the T20 World Cup is almost upon us, and as well as hosts and reigning World Champions India are playing now, the tournament is wide open, with any one of a host of nations able to win it.
What is certain is that there will be plenty of runs and the ball will travel far and often.
To help put into context what a good tournament with the bat looks like, let’s look at the most runs scored by batsmen in a single tournament.
Kohli’s 2014 campaign remains the gold standard for T20 World Cup batting. India did not win the final, but Kohli was untouchable throughout the tournament, producing a sequence of high-pressure chases and anchor innings. His average of over 100 is absurd in any format, let alone T20, and he passed fifty in four consecutive matches against top-class opposition including South Africa, Pakistan and Australia. This was the tournament that established Kohli as the ultimate big-stage batter.
Dilshan was the original T20 World Cup superstar. Opening the batting with fearless intent, he redefined how powerplay overs could be exploited. His 96 against West Indies at The Oval was one of the earliest great T20 World Cup innings, full of scoops, sweeps and brutal drives. Sri Lanka reached the final and Dilshan’s blend of aggression and consistency set the template for future openers.
Also read: 5 exciting under-23 stars poised for breakout T20 World Cup campaigns
He may be the centre of controversy at the moment following events in the BBL, but Babar’s run at the 2021 tournament was about control rather than chaos. While others played cameos, he delivered stability at the top of the order. His unbeaten 68 against India in a historic 10-wicket win was the defining moment of Pakistan’s campaign. Babar’s ability to accumulate without ever losing shape made him the tournament’s most reliable run machine.
Jayawardene combined elegance with ruthless efficiency in 2010. His strike rate of nearly 160 was remarkable for the time, especially given the quality of bowling attacks in that tournament. His 98 not out against New Zealand remains one of the finest T20 innings ever played. Sri Lanka fell just short in the final, but Jayawardene was the most destructive batter in the competition.
Nearly a decade after his first record, Kohli produced another masterclass. His 82 not out against Pakistan at the MCG is already part of cricket folklore, arguably the greatest T20 innings ever played under pressure as (along with Hardik Pandya) he helped India recover from 31 for four to 144 for five. What made this campaign special was Kohli’s ability to shift gears instantly, from accumulator to finisher, depending on the match situation.
Tamim’s place on this list is often overlooked, but his 2016 tournament was exceptional. He was aggressive from the start, regularly giving Bangladesh strong platforms against more established sides. His consistency helped Bangladesh reach the knockout stages and showed that emerging teams could produce world-class T20 batters.
Warner’s return to form in 2021 was perfectly timed. After a lean period in international cricket, he rediscovered his best touch and dominated bowlers from the front. His partnership with Aaron Finch was central to Australia’s first ever T20 World Cup title, and his ability to clear the infield consistently made him the tournament’s most feared opener.
Read next: Revealed – The 9 best T20 World Cup batters of all time
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Virat Kohli is closing in on the latest milestone of his career as he approaches 15,000 ODI runs and hitting that mark will put him in an elusive club.
The Indian great is 203 ODI runs away from the 15,000 mark, which would make him just the second player to hit that figure behind his countryman and cricket great Sachin Tendulkar.
With Kohli looking to reach that goal this year, here are the top seven run scorers of all-time in the ODI format.
The middle-order batter was very much the anchor of Pakistan’s innings and often there for the important final moments.
He made his debut in 1991 before going on to play 378 total matches and scoring 11,739 in the process.
He was a little low on the centuries tally with just 10 but scored plenty of fifties with 86 on his record.
His best score was an unbeaten 137 against New Zealand.
After Jayasuriya had blitzed the opening, Jayawardene was a calming force in the Sri Lankan batting order and had an ability to pace the innings.
That technique and approach was rewarded with 12,650 runs but he has a slightly lower average at 33.37.
He captained the side, taking them to the 2007 and 2011 World Cup finals.
Left-hander Jayasuriya revolutionised ODI batting, in particular opening the innings, with an aggressive approach of going for it in the first 15 overs.
That is shown in his strike rate of 91.20 and being this high as an opener is an impressive accomplishment for the Sri Lankan.
His career-best score was 189 with 28 hundreds and 68 fifties.
While he is third in the top Test scorers, Ponting has to settle for fourth in the list with a record of 13,704 runs.
He has a very good average at 42.03 and hit 30 hundreds in his ODI career along with 82 fifties. Ponting also had a reputation for pulling through for Australia when they needed him most and he was captain for their 2003 and 2007 World Cup victories.
Elegant is often the word used to describe Sangakkara as an ODI player as the left-handed batsman provided the perfect counterweight to the aggression of the likes of Jayasuriya.
The wicketkeeping batter hit 25 centuries with an impressive 93 fifties and had an average of 41.98 across his 404 ODIs.
Kohli’s runs may not even be the most impressive part of his career but instead the rate he hit them at.
Of the 299 ODI innings Kohli has played, he has an average of 58.71, easily the best amongst his fellow top scorers.
He has hit a remarkable 54 hundreds and 77 half-centuries and his best ever score is the 183 he notched against Pakistan during the 2012 Asia Cup.
If Kohli hits his average, he will reach the 15,000 mark in four innings’ time.
Tendulkar is unsurprisingly top of this list as the all-time great hit 18,426 runs for India in the ODI format.
He made his debut as a 16-year-old against Pakistan in 1989 but his duck after two balls did not suggest he would go on to become the best ever.
But by the time he hung up his bat 23 years after his debut, Tendulkar had hit 49 centuries with 96 fifties and a high score of an unbeaten 200 against South Africa in 2010.
Read next: 10 batters who epitomised staying power at the top of the ICC ODI rankings
The post The 7 highest ODI scorers as Virat Kohli nears Sachin Tendulkar milestone appeared first on Cricket365.
The fourth season of the SA20 is now a thing of the past with Sunrisers Eastern Cape crowned champions for the third time. Undoubtedly the tournament was a huge success with most games drawing near capacity crowds and the public interest at an all-time high.
We have said it before, and we will say it again; Graeme Smith and his team have put together a compelling offer.
Inevitably though, a major tournament like SA20 will produce winners and losers.
We aren’t just talking about the team that lifted the trophy, we are talking about players who emerged with their reputations enhanced versus those who took backward steps.
As the dust settles on four weeks of outstanding action, let’s have a look at this season’s winners and losers.
The West Indies batter had a sensational season for Pretoria Capitals. He arrived in South Africa with a reputation as a powerful middle order batsman, but he was certainly not as highly rated as international teammates Nicholas Pooran or Andre Russell.
But Rutherford was immense almost single-handedly ensuring that Pretoria made it to the final. Rutherford finished as the tournament’s fourth highest scorer with 334 runs at an average of 66.8 and a strike rate of 165.35.
Those are incredible numbers, especially when you consider that Rutherford bats as low as six.
Reborn! De Kock finished the season as the league’s top scorer, which is wonderful, but far more importantly, he looks like a man who is loving his cricket again.
QdK’s time away from the international arena and a switch from DSG to SEC has done wonders for the veteran wicketkeeper. Both his bat and smile suddenly look wider as he goes about his business with verve and joy.
A SA20 title and 390 runs at a strike rate of 148.85 tell part of the story, but this is a tale of rebirth that can only be good for South African cricket.
The all-time leading wicket taker in SA20, there has been considerable noise about Baartman’s omission from the Proteas squad for the T20 World Cup.
There are many ways that Baartman could have dealt with the setback, but he simply ignored the noise and the obvious disappointment to turn in another season of excellent performances.
With 20 wickets from nine games for the Paarl Royals man at an average of 13.55 Baartman ended the season as the leading wicket taker. He may yet earn a late call-up to the Proteas squad. If he does, it would certainly be fully deserved.
Also read: What venues are being used for the 2026 T20 World Cup?
He arrived in South Africa as the first Zimbabwean to be signed for SA20. Many thought he was there to make up the numbers and that he would be nothing more than a bit-part player for Paarl.
He was ranked as the second best T20 allrounder in the world, but the consensus was that he played the bulk of his games against smaller sides.
Raza showed that you can only play what is in front of you and he took to SA20 like the proverbial duck to water, excelling with both bat and ball (where he finished as the third best bowler in the competition).
At 39 yearsold Raza will be 40 next time SA20 rolls around, but you can be sure that after his achievements in this campaign he will be back again in 2027.
The draft of this article, written before Sunday’s final, had Stubbs as a loser. He started the season as a Proteas regular but lost his place for the World Cup with opinion being that he had lost his explosive hitting verve.
He earned a late reprieve following the injury to Donovan Ferreira, but he would have found it hard to argue that his strike rate was good enough for a spot in the Proteas side. That all changed on Sunday when he returned to form with one of the best knocks in SA20 history.
It was an innings that was outstanding on many levels, and which underscores why Stubbs is indeed world-class. He arrived at the crease with his side in trouble at 48 for four, the game slipping away from the two-time former champions.
An unbroken stand of 114 runs later SEC were champions and Stubbs had scored 63 runs from 41 balls in an innings that showed he can still hit explosively and that he can finish an innings.
Add to that he led SEC to the title in his first season in charge and suddenly the future is looking a who
The most expensive player in SA20 history, Brevis started the season slowly, appearing to be weighed down by the size of the fee that was paid for him. But he grew in confidence as the tournament went by, finishing with a magnificent century in the final.
It wasn’t enough to win Pretoria the title, but it saw Brevis end the season as the competitions second highest scorer.
It bodes very well for the Proteas that both he and De Kock are in such outstanding form ahead of the games against the West Indies and the T20 World cup.
Named in the Proteas side for the T20 World Cup there were plenty of questions asked about Smith’s inclusion. Shukri Conrad has gone out of his way to defend the decision and to underscore his belief in Smith.
It would have helped enormously if Smith had been able to do a bit of talking on the field, but he simply couldn’t as he finished the season with just 99 runs at an average of 11 per innings.
It didn’t help that he was part of a struggling MICT middle order, but you can’t help but feel that it could have been a vastly different season for the Newlands’ side if Smith had been able to find form.
One of the biggest names in franchise cricket, Klaasen retired from the international game to focus on playing in the world’s T20 leagues.
His 2025 campaign was somewhat underwhelming, and it was disappointing again in 2026 as he managed just 138 runs with a highest score of 29 playing for the under-performing DSG.
For a batter who has the reputation of playing game changing innings there was disappointingly little on offer from Klaasen this season.
His performance at teh top of the order for Paarl in 2025 was sensational as he announced himself to the world and ended the season as the competition’s leading scorer.
What followed was an IPL deal with Rajasthan Royals and debuts for the Proteas in all forms of the game. Perhaps it was a case of too much too soon as his form deteriorated as 2025 wore on.
SA20 2026 was his chance to go back to his basics and to build confidence and form once more. He played a handful of useful knocks, but an average of 22.4 and a strike rate of 121.74 are not close to what he would have been aiming for when he set his goals ahead of the season.
The DSG coach struggled to get the best out of his team for a second season in a row.
Despite major changes to their playing line-up, Klusener could not coax the best out of a batting line-up that included Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Aidan Markram, Jos Buttler and Heinrich Klaasen.
They caught fire in the opening game of the tournament at Newlands, but rain and an unsettled batting line-up appeared to throw their season into disarray as they ended second from bottom on the table.
There is a lot to be said for a flexible batting order, but it is generally something best employed when the team is playing well.
Brought in with a huge reputation as one of the best hitters in the T20 franchise game, Pooran failed to fire, his lack of runs leaving the MICT middle order widely exposed.
While the failure of MICT’s campaign cannot be entirely attributed to Pooran’s lowly returns (he made just 152 runs at an average of 16.89), it was certainly a major factor.
MICT’s top three averaged 42.13 (Ryan Rickelton), 49.8 (Reeza Hendricks) and 27.44 (Rassie van der Dussen), but thereafter nobody made it out of the teens, which is nowhere near good enough when you are defending the title.
Pooran will be wildly disappointed with what he was able to contribute in 2026.
Read next: The 7 shock exclusions from South Africa’s T20 World Cup squad
The post The biggest winners and losers after season 4 of the SA20 appeared first on Cricket365.
Lucrative T20 leagues and endorsements have made cricket one of the best-paying sports on the planet and for the best of the best, it can make the players extremely wealthy.
Leagues such as the IPL have made cricketers some of the most highly-paid athletes on the planet and these are the 10 richest active players currently in the sport.
The Australian Test captain kicks us off with a reported net worth of ~£30m.
He is centrally contracted by Cricket Australia, earning him a salary of $2 million AUD per year along with a $20k fee per Test match, but some of Cummins’ big paydays have also come in the IPL.
In 2024, he was acquired by the Sunrisers Hyderabad for a record-breaking INR 20.50 crore (£1.6m) and also has around 15 endorsement deals, most notably Gillette, Hublot and New Balance.
Away from cricket, Cummins, along with his wife, has built a real estate portfolio across New South Wales.
His nickname as the ‘Big Show’ should tell you just why Glenn Maxwell is such a coveted T20 player.
His explosive batting, especially in the crucial moments, has made him a desired player for over a decade now and he has played his T20 trade across Australia, India and England.
In 2013, he was the most expensive purchase at the IPL auction after costing the Mumbai Indians $1million. The following year, he was bought by Kings XI Punjab for another payday.
A 13-year career in the IPL has seen his net worth tick along nicely and earlier this month, he was announced as co-owner of a new European T20 Premier League team, the Irish Wolves.
While his contract with the Pakistan Cricket Board provides the bulk of his annual earnings, Azam has earned plenty from featuring in franchise cricket.
The restriction on Pakistani players in the IPL has denied him those earnings but he instead plays his trade in the PSL which secured him $220,000 for the 2025 season.
As Pakistan’s most famous active player, he also has plenty of endorsements to boost his pay packet.
A T20 specialist, spinner Rashid Khan has played in the IPL, BBL and Caribbean leagues, demanding high fees from each team.
His base salary comes from his Afghanistan contract but he has a huge number of endorsements which boost his income.
The big-hitting Buttler has long been part of England’s central contract list but also earns handsome fees in franchise cricket.
In 2024, he was sold to IPL side Gujarat Titans for £1.4m and has also played in Australian and Caribbean franchise cricket.
He has plenty of endorsements too, most notably with New Balance and Asics.
Warner’s Australian Test career may be over but he is still enjoying the twilight years of his cricket career in limited-overs formats.
In the IPL, he earned a handsome salary with Sunrisers Hyderabad and is a BBL regular too.
As for endorsements, he is partnered with Asics, Kia and Red Bull and others and also has invested in sports academies, fitness brands and lifestyle ventures.
The England Test captain is focused on the long-form version of the game but for a number of years, Stokes was a highly sought-after IPL player.
He has been sold for over £1m on three occasions but dropped out of the 2024 and 2025 auctions to focus on his Test career.
As for England, he is centrally contracted and earns a reported £2.5m per year.
In terms of endorsements, Stokes has been a Red Bull athlete for a number of years as well as partnerships with Adidas, Gunn & Moore and a number of others.
The highest paid Aussie on this list is Steve Smith who earns a reported $50m.
His wealth is driven by Cricket Australia contracts over the years as well as his match fees in international matches but he has also taken home a not insignificant amount from franchise cricket.
He was made captain of Rajasthan Royals in 2021 after being purchased for INR 2.20 Cr (£175k).
As for endorsements, Smith is a partner with more than 25 brands including New Balance, Toyota Australia, Gillette, Vodafone Australia, and Weet-Bix.
Indian cricket legend Sharma has earned handsomely from his matches with his national team and as a player in all three formats, he has the match fees to show it.
Away from his national team, Sharma is an IPL legend too and is behind only Dhoni in terms of matches played. From 2011 to the present, he has been auctioned for at least 9 crore (£700k) and also a number of off-field endorsements.
The biggest of those are CEAT Tyres, Boost, and Coca-Cola which all contribute to his $55m net worth.
There’s wealthy cricketers and then there’s Virat Kohli.
The Indian star is not only the biggest celebrity in the game but arguably the most famous Indian in the world and his endorsements reflect that.
The batsman has enormous deals with the likes of Puma, Audi, MRF Tyres and PepsiCo which support earnings from his India contracts and appearances in the IPL.
Smart investments have also multiplied his wealth and if you have ever taken a look at his social media, you will see it is engineered to earn him money.
Kohli’s wealth dwarfs any other active player and it is only when you compare him to the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni that he has any rivals.
Read next: The 9 biggest surprises who didn’t get a deal at the IPL player auction
The post The 10 richest active cricketers in the world as IPL stars dominate appeared first on Cricket365.
World Cups are traditionally seminal moments in the life cycle of sport. Teams build and develop in World Cup cycles. Players who are nearing retirement will typically call time on their careers in the wake of these key events.
Coaching contracts are usually run until after World Cups. And of course, with every World Cup comes the wave of new stars who announce their arrival on the biggest stage.
World Cups are exciting times and as we head towards the tenth staging of the T20 World Cup there will be plenty of people wondering who the new stars will be to emerge from the high-pressure environment that is the World Cup.
Here are our tips for the five players under 23 years old who we think will have the biggest impact in India and Sri Lanka.
At just 19, Noor Ahmad already looks like one of the most complete young spin bowlers in world cricket. A left-arm wrist spinner, he offers something rare in the modern game: genuine mystery combined with outstanding control.
Alongside veteran Rashid Khan, Noor has become a mainstay in Afghanistan’s T20 side and has also impressed across major franchise leagues, including the IPL and SA20, where he has consistently troubled elite batters on flat pitches.
What makes Noor particularly suited to conditions in India and Sri Lanka is his ability to vary pace and trajectory without losing accuracy. He bowls quick enough to prevent batters from sitting back, yet slow enough to extract turn on dry surfaces.
In a tournament where spin is likely to dominate, Noor could easily become Afghanistan’s most important weapon and one of the competition’s breakout stars.
Cooper Connolly represents a new generation of Australian cricketers shaped by T20 cricket from a young age. A left-handed batter and handy left-arm spinner, Connolly brings versatility that makes him extremely valuable in modern white-ball squads.
He first caught attention in the Big Bash League with his fearless approach against spin and his ability to clear the ropes in the middle overs. Connolly is not just a power hitter, though.
He rotates strike well, reads spinners early and is tactically sharp for his age. In Asian conditions, his secondary skill with the ball could prove just as important, offering Australia flexibility in team balance.
If he gets consistent opportunities, Connolly has the tools to become a genuine all-round match-winner.
Rehan Ahmed already has a unique place in English cricket history as the youngest man to play Test cricket for England. In T20 formats, however, his potential might be even greater. A leg spinner with sharp drift and an attacking mindset, Ahmed is exactly the type of bowler who thrives in subcontinental conditions.
What sets Rehan apart is his confidence. He is not afraid to toss the ball up and invite big shots, trusting his variations to beat batters in the air. He also offers depth with the bat, capable of scoring quickly in the lower order. England’s aggressive approach to T20 cricket aligns perfectly with Rehan’s style, and if he gets a sustained run in the side, he could become one of the tournament’s leading wicket-takers.
Also read: What venues are being used for the 2026 T20 World Cup?
Jacob Bethell is still flying slightly under the radar, but he may be one of England’s most exciting long-term all-format prospects. A left-handed batter who can also bowl left-arm spin, Bethell fits the modern T20 profile perfectly.
He stands out for his clean ball-striking and calmness under pressure. Bethell is particularly strong against pace, using his height and reach to generate power through the offside, but he is also comfortable manipulating spinners in the middle overs.
In conditions that reward adaptability rather than brute force, Bethell’s all-round skill set could see him play a crucial role for England, especially as a floating batter who can change the tempo of an innings.
He will be full of confidence heading to the World Cup following his breakthrough Test century during the Ashes.
Few young players have generated as much hype as Dewald Brevis. Once nicknamed “Baby AB” for his resemblance to AB de Villiers in style and stroke-making, Brevis has already delivered eye-catching performances in the IPL and other T20 leagues.
Against Australia in 2025 he broke De Villiers’ record to hit the highest ever T20I score by a South African.
Brevis is a rare blend of technical quality and raw power. He can play orthodox cricket shots, but is equally capable of improvisation, particularly against spin.
On slow pitches in India and Sri Lanka, his ability to access all parts of the ground could be invaluable. Brevis also bowls useful leg spin, giving South Africa an additional tactical option.
If he strings together a few early scores, he has the potential to become one of the faces of the tournament. He is also an outstanding fielder.
Read next: The 7 shock exclusions from South Africa’s T20 World Cup squad
The post 5 exciting under-23 stars poised for breakout T20 World Cup campaigns appeared first on Cricket365.
The T20 World Cup is looming large on the horizon with the tournament set to start on 7 February with a game between Pakistan and the Netherlands. It will run for a month, with the final scheduled for 8 March.
With a host of smaller teams all lining up alongside the game’s traditional powers, there are bound to be some big scores and some new heroes announcing themselves to the world.
The 2026 T20 World Cup, which will be hosted by India and Sri Lanka, will be the tenth staging of this prestigious ICC event.
Since it was first held back in 2007 there have been plenty of huge names that have graced the tournament with plenty of stars of yesteryear piling on the runs.
But who has scored the most runs in the history of the ICC T20 World Cup and which current players stand to move up the list of overall top scorers? Let’s look at the nine highest scorers in the history of the T20 World Cup.
Now retired from T20I cricket Virat Kohli stands comfortably at the summit of T20 World Cup run scoring list, and it is difficult to imagine his record being threatened any time soon.
His nearest rival who is still playing is Jos Buttler, who would need to score 279 runs in the 2026 tournament if he was to move to the top of the list. Kohli’s dominance is rooted not just in volume but in consistency, with an average that dwarfs everyone else on this list.
Kohli has repeatedly produced his best when the stakes were highest, particularly in pressure chases where his composure and game awareness have been unmatched.
Across multiple tournaments, Kohli was India’s insurance policy, capable of absorbing pressure early before accelerating with clinical precision.
What separates him from other prolific scorers is his ability to thrive regardless of conditions or opposition.
Whether on slow subcontinental pitches or bouncy Australian surfaces, Kohli’s method has proven universally effective, making his tally of 1292 runs one of the defining achievements in T20 World Cup history.
Rohit Sharma’s longevity sets him apart. Having featured in the inaugural 2007 edition, he remained a key figure through to 2024 and has naturally accumulated more innings than anyone else in the top nine.
Rohit’s T20 World Cup journey reflects his evolution from an explosive middle order hitter to a commanding opening batter capable of setting the tone for entire tournaments.
While his average does not match Kohli’s, Rohit’s impact has often come in bursts of dominance.
His ability to dismantle bowling attacks during the powerplay gave India countless fast starts, while his experience was invaluable in navigating knockout matches. Now retired from T20I cricket, Sharma’s absence will be keenly felt as India host the tournament in 2026.
Mahela Jayawardene remains Sri Lanka’s most influential batter in T20 World Cup history. His landmark century against Zimbabwe in the 2010 tournament was one of its defining innings, showcasing his ability to blend classical technique with modern T20 demands.
He followed up that ton with an undefeated knock of 98 against the hosts, the West Indies.
Jayawardene’s calm presence at the crease often anchored Sri Lanka’s batting, allowing more aggressive players to flourish around him. His average of 39.07 reflects a rare balance between aggression and reliability.
Even years after his retirement, his record stands as a benchmark for Sri Lankan batters on the world stage.
Also read: What venues are being used for the 2026 T20 World Cup?
Jos Buttler is the most destructive batter on this list, combining a high average with an exceptional strike rate. England’s white ball transformation has been built around players like Buttler, whose fearless approach has redefined what is possible in T20 cricket.
His unbeaten century at a T20 World Cup underlined his capacity to dominate elite bowling attacks single handedly.
Buttler’s ability to clear the ropes with ease, while still rotating the strike effectively, has made him one of the most complete T20 batters of his generation. As England continue to prioritise aggressive cricket, Buttler’s influence on future tournaments remains significant.
Still playing and currently the fourth ranked T20I batsman in world cricket, expect Buttler to move up this list before the 2026 tournament is over.
David Warner’s T20 World Cup record reflects his high risk, high reward style. As an opener, he was often tasked with maximising the powerplay, sometimes at the expense of consistency.
Despite a relatively modest average, his ability to change games within a few overs was invaluable for Australia.
Warner’s performances often set the platform for Australia’s middle order, particularly on faster pitches where his cut and pull shots were most effective. His presence in the top five highlights how impact can matter just as much as accumulation in T20 tournaments.
Chris Gayle’s name is synonymous with T20 cricket, and his T20 World Cup legacy is among the most iconic among West Indies stars. His blistering 117 remains one of the greatest innings the tournament has ever seen, a display of raw power that redefined opening batting.
Gayle’s approach was simple and devastating. He aimed to dominate from the outset, often intimidating bowlers into errors.
While inconsistency was part of the package, his match-winning contributions were often decisive. Few players have struck fear into opposition attacks quite like Gayle on the T20 World Cup stage.
Tillakaratne Dilshan played a crucial role in shaping Sri Lanka’s T20 identity. His innovation at the top of the order, particularly with the paddle sweep and Dil-scoop, allowed Sri Lanka to keep pace with more aggressive teams.
Dilshan’s contributions often came in important matches, providing stability alongside explosive partners. While his strike rate may appear modest by modern standards, his consistency and adaptability ensured Sri Lanka remained competitive across multiple tournaments.
Shakib Al Hasan’s inclusion highlights Bangladesh’s gradual rise in T20 cricket. While his batting numbers are modest compared to others on this list, his value lies in his versatility and longevity.
It is also important to note that he doesn’t just feature at eight on this list, he is also at number one on the list of most wickets taken at T20 World Cups.
Often batting in challenging situations, Shakib was tasked with rebuilding innings rather than launching all out assaults.
His ability to contribute with both bat and ball made him Bangladesh’s most influential T20 World Cup player, and his experience was crucial in guiding a developing side.
Kane Williamson’s presence on this list reflects his role as New Zealand’s stabiliser. In a format dominated by power, Williamson has relied on placement, timing and game awareness to accumulate runs.
In short, he is one of the standout batsmen of his generation and he has just played his natural game.
Often batting through difficult phases, he has allowed more aggressive teammates to play freely around him. While his strike rate is the lowest among the top nine, his importance to New Zealand’s tactical approach cannot be understated.
Read next: The 7 shock exclusions from South Africa’s T20 World Cup squad
The post Revealed: The 9 best T20 World Cup batters of all time appeared first on Cricket365.
Those in the know will tell you that batsmen win you matches while bowlers win you tournaments.
There is a lot of truth to be found in that adage, although, as the T20I World Cup approaches it is interesting to note just how few of the tournaments leading wicket takers have won the actual trophy.
To date there have been nine T20 World Cups. The tenth staging of the tournament is set to take place in India and Sri Lanka in February and March.
With the latest staging of the event on the horizon, let’s take a moment to look at the list of all-time leading T20 World Cup wicket takers.
Shakib Al Hasan sits alone at the top of the list, and his longevity is the defining feature of his record.
Featuring in eight editions of the tournament, Shakib has been Bangladesh’s go to bowler in all conditions, combining subtle variations with exceptional control.
His left arm spin has been effective both in the powerplay and through the middle overs, while his tactical awareness has allowed him to adapt as batting standards have evolved.
That he has achieved 50 wickets without Bangladesh ever lifting the trophy underlines the broader theme of this list.
Afridi’s T20 World Cup record reflects his unpredictable brilliance.
Many will be surprised to find him on this list as he is remembered best as a power-hitting opening batsman, but he was also a very useful leg spinner – and was generally used as a wicket taking option rather than a containing one.
His most significant contribution came in 2009 when Pakistan won the title, with Afridi playing a central role throughout the campaign. While his average is higher than many on this list, his knack for breaking partnerships in high pressure moments made him invaluable.
Malinga was the prototype death overs specialist. His slingy action and pinpoint yorkers changed how teams approached the final overs of a T20 innings.
Across four tournaments, he consistently delivered breakthroughs at crucial times. Despite Sri Lanka reaching multiple finals during his era, the trophy eluded them, leaving Malinga as one of the greatest bowlers never to top the podium in this competition.
Hasaranga’s rise has been meteoric. In fewer than 20 matches, he has already climbed to fourth on the all-time list, boasting numbers that stand out even among elite company.
His sharp leg breaks and relentless attacking mindset have made him one of the most feared bowlers in world T20 cricket. If Sri Lanka are to challenge for the title on home soil, Hasaranga is likely to be at the heart of their campaign.
Rashid Khan’s presence on this list is remarkable given Afghanistan’s relatively short history in the tournament. His pace through the air, subtle variations and unflappable temperament have allowed him to dominate even the strongest batting lineups.
With oodles of experience at franchise level (he is the leading all time T20 wicket taker), Rashid’s performances have often kept Afghanistan competitive against more established nations, even if a deep run in the tournament has remained elusive.
At his peak, Saeed Ajmal was almost unplayable. His doosra, combined with immaculate control, made him a constant wicket taking threat in the middle overs.
Ajmal’s impact was particularly felt in the 2009 and 2010 tournaments, where Pakistan were among the strongest sides. His numbers reflect a bowler who combined economy with aggression in equal measure.
Also read: What venues are being used for the 2026 T20 World Cup?
Tim Southee’s success came through consistency rather than surprise. Swinging the new ball and relying on subtle changes later in the innings, he was New Zealand’s most reliable wicket taker across multiple cycles.
Despite New Zealand’s reputation for punching above their weight, the title has remained just out of reach, with Southee often leading the attack in narrow defeats – most notably in 2021 when they lost in the final to Australia.
Zampa’s record is outstanding, particularly when viewed in the context of Australia’s eventual title win in 2021.
His leg spin gave Australia control through the middle overs, allowing their powerful batting lineup to play with freedom. Zampa’s ability to take wickets without conceding runs has made him one of the most complete T20 bowlers of his generation.
Mendis burst onto the international scene with mystery deliveries that baffled batsmen unfamiliar with his variations. In the T20 World Cup, he was often Sri Lanka’s trump card, capable of dismantling a lineup in a single spell.
While his international career was relatively short, his impact on the tournament was profound. Mendis did not feature in the final in 2014 when Sri Lanka beat India.
Read next: The 7 shock exclusions from South Africa’s T20 World Cup squad
The post Almost 50% of this top 9 list of best bowlers in T20 World Cup history are leg-spinners appeared first on Cricket365.
The debate about who is the greatest ODI batsman of all time is one that will rage on for as long as there is cricket. It is hard to know how to settle the debate – should it be based on batting averages or simply on sheer volume of runs?
Is strike rate important or is it about actual trophies and series won? Perhaps the best way is to use a supposedly objective measure… The ICC produce rankings which are updated after each game. The players who have been at the top of the rankings longest must therefore be the best.
With news that New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell has reached the top of the rankings for the first time, let’s look at the ten players who have dominated the top of the ICC ODI batting rankings the most.
Viv Richards remains the gold standard for ODI dominance. In an era with fewer matches and less emphasis on individual milestones, Richards combined brutal scoring with consistency that kept him at number one for more than six years in total.
His ability to dominate elite bowling attacks without a helmet, while setting the template for aggressive one-day batting, explains why his reign remains unmatched.
Brian Lara’s time at the summit reflects his extraordinary peak rather than sustained team success. While West Indies were often inconsistent during his career, Lara’s personal brilliance ensured his place among the elite.
His elegance, range of scoring options and appetite for big innings translated seamlessly into ODIs, even if his greatness is more often associated with Test cricket.
Michael Bevan’s presence so high on this list underlines how valuable consistency and finishing ability were in Australia’s golden era. Rarely spectacular, Bevan mastered the art of pacing an ODI chase and was devastating under pressure.
His long stay at number one came through relentless reliability rather than dominance, a reminder that influence is not always loud.
Babar Azam’s modern-era consistency stands out in a format increasingly tilted towards power hitters. His extended time at number one reflects technical excellence, balance and adaptability across conditions.
Despite limited ICC tournament success compared to some peers, Babar’s run-making in bilateral series has been so consistent that his ranking longevity is fully justified.
Also read: What venues are being used for the 2026 T20 World Cup?
AB de Villiers redefined what was possible in ODI batting. His ability to score at extraordinary strike rates without sacrificing his average allowed him to dominate attacks in ways few could replicate.
While his time at number one was slightly shorter than some others here, his impact on how the game is played arguably outweighs his numerical ranking.
Dean Jones was ahead of his time. Athletic, innovative and tactically astute, he set new standards for scoring rates in ODIs during the 1980s.
His extended stay at the top of the rankings reflects how consistently he performed when one-day cricket was still defining its identity. Jones helped turn Australia into a formidable limited-overs force.
Keith Fletcher’s inclusion is a reminder of how influential early ODI pioneers were. Playing in a far less crowded international calendar, Fletcher combined solidity with match awareness.
His long spell at number one speaks to sustained excellence rather than volume, and he remains one of England’s most underrated limited-overs batsmen.
Hashim Amla’s ODI career was defined by extraordinary efficiency. He reached milestones faster than almost anyone before him and maintained an elite average while scoring quickly by classical means.
His time at number one reflects a prolonged period where he was arguably the most complete ODI batsman in the world, especially between 2010 and 2015.
Greg Chappell’s near 1000 days at the summit underline his importance in the formative years of ODI cricket. Technically flawless and tactically sharp, Chappell helped legitimise the format as one requiring skill rather than compromise.
His ranking longevity came at a time when consistency across relatively few matches carried enormous weight.
India star Virat Kohli’s presence at number 10 may surprise some, given his colossal run totals and match-winning reputation. However, the ICC rankings reward sustained dominance rather than cumulative greatness.
Kohli’s repeated returns to the top reflect his ability to adapt across eras, conditions and phases of his career. With time still on his side, his total days at number one may yet rise significantly.
He’s in great form at the moment and holding out for a place in the World Cup squad for the 2027 tournament.
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This month saw the three-game ODI series between New Zealand and India come to an end with a 2-1 away win for the Kiwis – their first ever in India.
It was a compelling series that didn’t just pit the world’s number one and number two sides against each other, it also served as a showdown between the top two ODI batsmen in the world – Virat Kohli and Daryl Mitchell.
The duo was in prolific form with three centuries between them and a combined total of 592 runs between them from their six innings. It was a fantastic show of batting prowess, and it begged the question, which batters pass the fifty-run mark most frequently in ODI cricket?
Let’s look at the seven batsmen with the best 50 run to innings played ratio. Given that many of the top ODI batsmen now average over 50 per innings (Mitchell’s ODI average is 58.47 while Kohli’s is 58.71) it is not surprising that the number is low!
Virat Kohli sits comfortably at the top of this list, underlining a level of sustained excellence that remains unmatched in ODI history. Scoring a fifty or more once every 2.28 innings across nearly 300 innings speaks to remarkable consistency under every conceivable condition.
Kohli’s ability to adapt his tempo, whether anchoring chases or setting up totals, has made him the defining ODI batter of his era. His longevity also matters here. Maintaining this ratio across such volume separates him from younger peers still building their records.
Babar Azam may be courting controversy in BBL and his returns may have diminished since he emerged on the international stage, but such has been his output that he has long been regarded as the closest stylistic successor to Kohli – and his numbers reinforce that reputation.
Passing fifty once every 2.403 innings highlights his reliability in the top order, particularly in Pakistan sides often reliant on his stability. Babar’s strength lies in his balance.
He scores heavily without undue risk, making him a consistent accumulator even when conditions are challenging.
Shubman Gill’s presence so high on this list despite his relatively short career is striking. Averaging a fifty every 2.44 innings suggests a player already comfortable at international level.
Gill combines classical technique with modern scoring options, and his numbers indicate that big scores are becoming routine rather than exceptional. If sustained, his ratio could well improve further with experience.
Often viewed as a middle order enforcer rather than a pure accumulator, Shreyas Iyer’s consistency is sometimes overlooked. A fifty every 2.5 innings highlights his importance in stabilising innings after early wickets or accelerating against spin in the middle overs.
His record also reflects adaptability across roles, a trait increasingly valuable in modern ODI cricket where versatility is a key requirement.
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Jonathan Trott’s inclusion is a reminder of how effective traditional ODI accumulation could be. Representing England during a transitional period, Trott was methodical, precise and relentless once set.
His ratio mirrors Iyer’s, achieved through a style built on control rather than flair. Trott’s numbers stand the test of time despite a comparatively brief international career.
Imam ul-Haq has quietly built one of the most consistent ODI records in recent years. Often criticised for a lack of acceleration, his ability to regularly reach fifty remains undeniable.
A ratio of one fifty every 2.55 innings reflects reliability at the top, particularly in subcontinental conditions where Pakistan have leaned heavily on his solidity.
Daryl Mitchell, the current man of the moment completes the list following his starring role against India. His ratio may be the highest on this list, but context matters.
Batting across positions and conditions, Mitchell has emerged as one of the most dependable ODI batters in the world and hence his rise to number two in the World Rankings.
His ability to turn starts into match defining scores was on full display in India, reinforcing why he belongs alongside the game’s most consistent performers.
Read next: The 7 shock exclusions from South Africa’s T20 World Cup squad
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Scoring runs is the aim of the game for batters and those that get into triple digits on a regular occasion are deservedly labelled some of the best players in the world.
A ton is the goal for any batsman when he steps out of the pavilion but there have been a handful of players who have really excelled since the year 2020.
Here are the 7 top Test hundred scorers in the 2020s so far.
Considering the pressure he faces on his position now, Ollie Pope probably wishes he could turn back the clock.
Pope has scored nine centuries this decade, including a high score of 205 but has not reached triple digits in his last 14 innings.
Before that, he hit back-to-back centuries first against Zimbabwe and then India but has struggled to recapture that kind of form since.
He has also played an awful lot of cricket with 107 innings and should have converted more.
Aside from Mitchell Starc, Head was the star of the latest Ashes series and the decision to move him up the order proved to be a master stroke.
Head has been in the form of his career since 2020, hitting 3,511 runs in his 84 innings and has scored 10 hundreds in that time having previously scored just two.
Taking over from Rohit Sharma as India captain is no easy feat, especially for a 25-year-old, but Shubman Gill has not looked out of place bearing the weight of that responsibility.
Since 2020, he has scored 2,843 runs in 73 innings with 10 of those being hundreds. His average is a little lower than others in this list, but a high score of 269 is beaten only by Harry Brook in the top 10.
Harry Brook only made his Test debut in 2022 but his appearance at fourth on this list is a testament to how much he has seemed at home at the top level.
While he is currently under fire for his sometimes careless approach in the Ashes, a poor player does not reach 10 Test match centuries and especially not at an average of 54.79.
His strike rate perhaps tells a better story though with 86.83 easily being the highest of any player in the top 10. Brook’s 317 scored against Pakistan in October 2024 is the second-highest score so far this decade.
Even with his slight drop in form in 2024 that saw him average 35, Smith continues to be one of the best batters on the planet.
In January 2025, he reached 10,000 Test runs and did so by scoring an unbeaten 104 against Sri Lanka.
That knock was one of 11 centuries he has achieved so far in the 2020s with an average of 46.14.
No player in the top 10 has played fewer innings than Williamson this decade, which makes his place at number two all the more impressive.
In the 55 innings he has batted, Williamson has converted 12 of them into centuries with an excellent average of 62.89.
That is the highest average of any player in the same time period, and he is now coming up to 500 Test runs away from 10,000.
Even before you read this list, chances are you had a good idea of who was top of it.
Since 2020, Root has hit a rich vein of form and the hundreds have been flowing so much so that he has double the amount of Williamson in second.
Root has recorded 24 hundreds in the 2020s from 134 innings with an impressive average of 54.41.
In that time, he has crossed off scoring a hundred Down Under and is now chasing down Sachin Tendulkar’s run record.
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