Who doesn’t love watching T2O games? Watching your favorite batsmen hit boundaries left, right, and center is a delight. Since the beginning of t20 cricket, there have been hundreds of batsmen who have proven themselves time and again consistently. These batsmen know how to take control of the game and win it. We have seen countless times when their team goes into a dire situation and these batsmen come to the pitch and win the game.
These players have been called the best t20 batsmen of all time. Now many such batsmen are brilliant and are fan favorites of many, but there are few players who, with the bat, can be called generational t20 players.
In this blog, we are going to cover five exceptional t20 players. So here’s your list of the top 5 best t20 batsmen of all time.
Chris Gayle
When it comes to t20 cricket the universal Boss can be called the best t20 batsman of all time. He has been the dominant force be it in international t20s or t20 leagues throughout the world. The left-handed power hitter has terrorized almost every bowler throughout the world. His stats in every format of the game are monstrous. Now Let’s have a closer look at his t20 career.
International T20
Chris Gayle made his t20 international t20 debut in 2006 against New Zealand and played his last t20 in 2021. He played 79 matches for West Indies in t20. He scored 1899 runs with a strike rate of 137.50. He scored 14 half-centuries and 2 centuries which is very remarkable. His best score in international t20 is 117 against South Africa. He won the ICC T20 Men’s World Cup in 2012 and 2016.
T20 Leagues
Chris Gayle has played in many T2O leagues throughout the world. Fans mostly remember his tenure at Royal Challengers Bangalore. He has also played for teams like Kings XI Punjab and the Kolkata Knight Riders.
His best came in RCB. He used to open the batting and destroy the bowlers from the beginning. His IPl career is 4965 runs in 140 matches with an average of 39.72. He is decorated with 6 centuries and 31 half centuries. His best score in IPl came against the Pune Warriors, where he scored 175 not out in 66 balls.
His stats from other domestic leagues look like this:
- Big Bash League: 649 runs in 22 games with an average of 30.90.
- Bangladesh Premier League: 1482 runs in 42 games with an average of 41.16.
- Caribbean Premier League: 2519 runs in 85 games with an average of 39.23.
- Pakistan Super League: 370 runs in 16 games with an average of 23.12.
His stats are more than enough to make him one of the best t20 batsmen in the world. His passion and the way he enjoyed the game entertained millions of fans throughout the world.
Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli, also known as the chase master, is undoubtedly one of the best t20 batsmen that this era has seen. His consistency and dependability make him a force to be reckoned with. He has given countless happy moments to fans in both international and domestic t20. In every format of the game, his stats are nothing but amazing. Let’s dive into his t20 side of the game.
International T20
Virat made his international t20 debut in 2010 against Zimbabwe. He played his last t20 game against South Africa in 2024. Virat has exceptional stats in international t20. He has made 4188 runs in 125 games, with a brilliant average of 48.69. He is decorated with 38 half centuries and 1 century. His best score in international t20 is 122, which came against Afghanistan. He won the ICC T20 World Cup with India in 2024.
T20 Leagues
Virat has only played in one franchise, which is the IPL. He made his debut in 2008 with Royal Challengers Bangalore and has been part of the team ever since. His stats in the IPL go to a whole other level. He is the highest scorer in IPl, with 7263 runs in 237 games. He holds the record for scoring the most runs in a single IPL season, scoring 973 runs in 2016. He has registered 55 half-centuries and 8 centuries throughout his IPL career.
These phenomenal stats speak for themselves. Scoring runs every year consistently is not an easy task, especially in a short format like t20. This is what makes him one of the best t20 batsmen that has ever graced the game.
AB de Villiers
The name speaks for itself. Also known as Mr. 360 de Villiers, he is one of the most loved cricketers in the entire world. His ability to play unorthodox shots all around the ground is one of a kind. His career stats throughout every format are exceptional. Now let’s have a look at his t20 career stats.
International T20
Ab de Villiers made his international t20 debut in 2006 against Australia. He played his last t20 in 2017. His international t20 stats are quite normal. His gameplay was more than just scoring runs; it’s about how he scored runs. He has played 78 games for South Africa, in which he has scored 1672 runs. He has 10 half-centuries in international t20. His best score is 79, which came against Scotland.
T20 Leagues
When it comes to the t20 franchise, de Villiers is a different beast. He has played in many domestic leagues around the world. The most iconic of them all is from Royal Challengers Bangalore. In the IPL, he has played for Delhi Daredevils and Royal Challengers Bangalore. He joined RCB in 2011 and left in 2021. He has played 157 games for RCB and scored 4491 runs with an average of 41.20. He is decorated with 2 centuries and 37 half centuries. His best score in IPl is 133, which came against the Gujarat Lions. His stats from other franchises are like:
- Big Bash League: 358 runs in 11 games with an average of 35.80.
- Pakistan Super League: 117 runs in 6 games with an average of 23.40.
- Caribbean Premier League: 177 runs in 6 games with an average of 29.50.
When the name AB de Villiers comes no one cares about his stats; all fans remember is the entertaining cricket he gave.
David Warner
Known for his aggressive batting nature, David Warner is easily one of the best t20 batsmen ever. His fearless approach to the game has left many fans entertained to their heart’s content. His whole cricket career speaks for itself. Let’s dive into his t20 career.
International T20
Warner made his t20 debut in 2009 against South Africa. He played his last t20 in 2024. From Australia, he has scored 3277 runs in 110 games with an average of 33.43. His best score is 100 which came against Sri Lanka. In international t20 he is decorated with 1 century and 38 half centuries.
T20 Leagues
Warner is equally dangerous with the bat in his franchise career. He has played in major franchise cricket throughout the world. His most memorable ones are from Delhi Daredevils and Sunrisers Hyderabad. Warner has won 3 orange caps in the IPL. He has scored 6565 runs in 184 matches with an average of 35.67. He is decorated with 4 centuries and 62 half centuries. His performance in other franchises looks like this:
- Big Bash League: 152 runs in 4 games with an average of 38.
- Pakistan Super League: 337 runs in 11 games with an average of 37.44.
- Caribbean Premier League: 220 runs in 8 games with an average of 31.42.
David Warner clearly is one of the finest t20 players of this era. His stats and performances clearly speak for him.
Babar Azam
Babar Azam is one of the finest technically gifted batsmen of this era. His elegance and consistency established him as one of the finest in the game. His career graph and his skill level really set him apart from others. Let’s have a look into his t20 career.
International T20
Babar made his t20 debut in 2016 against England. His last t20 was against Ireland in 2024. He has played 123 games for Pakistan in t20 scoring 4145 runs. He has hit 3 centuries and 36 half-centuries in international t20. His best score is 122 which came against South Africa.
T20 Leagues
Babar Azam is involved with many teams in franchise t20. His most iconic ones are Islamabad United and Karachi Kings from Pakistan Super League. Babar has scored 2935 runs in 81 games with an average of 43.40. He has hit 1 century and 28 half-centuries. His stats from other t20 leagues are like:
- Caribbean Premier League: 137 runs in 7 games with an average of 22.83.
- Bangladesh Premier League: 335 runs in 14 games with an average of 27.91.
- Global T20 Canada: 200 runs in 7 games with an average of 33.33.
Who is the most successful T20 batsman?
Chris Gayle is the most successful batsman in terms of raw impact and influence in the T20 format. His record of over 14,000 runs in T20 cricket across multiple leagues and his ability to constantly dominate bowlers sets him alone in the format’s history.
Who is the top scorer in T20 history?
Chris Gayle has the most runs in T20 cricket, having scored nearly 14,000 in his career. His ability to score massively across multiple competitions and forms has solidified his place as T20’s all-time leading scorer.
What is the best average in T20 history?
Virat Kohli has the top batting average in t20 international cricket, with an incredible 52.73. His ability to continuously score runs while maintaining a high average distinguishes him as a top performer in t20 cricket.
Conclusion
T20 cricket has produced some of the most explosive batting talent the game has ever seen. These five batsmen stand out because of their consistency and ability to perform under pressure. Their incredible statistics and amazing innings have revolutionized what is possible in the shortest format, leaving an indelible impression on the game.
As t20 cricket evolves, these superstars raise the standard, motivating future generations to push the boundaries even further. Their legacy exemplifies the exhilarating essence of t20, when every ball may change the game.
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