The Best T20I XI Of The Decade (2010-present): The twenty20 format was introduced by the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) in 2003 to attract young and over-enthusiastic generation by fastening the gameplay. The first official t20 game was played on 13 June 2003 between the English counties in the Twenty20 Cup.
Since then the format has only boosted the popularity of the game by spreading across continents.
However, it is not just the format that has attracted big crowds but the players have worked hard enough to adapt to these 20 over innings and attain expertise. Now we see different domestic leagues harvest extraordinary talent- the IPL, BBL, BPL, and CPL are the few leagues that have a global appeal. Now every country has a squad full of specialists, and this game has become a play of specifics.
1) Chris Gayle:
Probably the best batsman in this format announced himself as the ‘universe boss’ owing to his superficiality and immense power. Gayle can demolish the best bowling attack if in the mood. The Jamaican’s six-hitting ability is known by the entire cricketing fraternity. He holds most of the records in this format and becomes the first choice for the opening slot. No ‘Best T20I XI’ can ever be completed without the Universe Boss Chris Gayle.
Gayle’s 175* against Pune Warriors India is the highest individual T20 score, and also makes the highlights of his golden career.
Statistics (int)
Innings – 54
Runs – 1627
Strike rate- 142.84
Average – 32.54
2) David Warner:
The 33-year-old can be called as the format’s one of the greatest finds this decade. This slot has a lot of contention but the Australian pips all other batsmen owing to his batting and fielding abilities combined with excellent leadership qualities.
Warner is a dependable and fiery opener who can attack from the start and stay till the last ball. He has also captained the Sunrisers Hyderabad to their IPL victory in 2016.
Statistics (int)
Innings – 76
Runs – 2079
Strike rate- 140.85
Average – 30.57
3) Virat Kohli:
The joint leading run-getter in this format has scored 2633 runs and has remained unbeaten 20 times, which defines his greatness. His ability to chase mammoth targets with sensibility and flawlessness has become the trademark for Virat. The World’s best batsman will be the backbone of the best T20I XI.
Virat Kohli leads Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL and wins numerous matches for them single-handedly. His heroics against the West Indies when they visited India in 2019 are indescribable.
Statistics (int)
Innings – 70
Runs – 2633
Strike rate- 138.07
Average – 52.66
4) Rohit Sharma:
The 32-year-old has immense experience in this format and is the joint highest run-getter with Virat Kohli. He has experience of playing at different positions and fulfilling different responsibilities. Rohit is also called the Hitman, due to his capability to score runs at bigger platforms.
Besides being an excellent batsman, Rohit has also captained the Mumbai Indians to a record 4 times victory in the IPL.
Statistics (int)
Innings – 96
Runs – 2633
Strike rate- 138.22
Average – 32.11
5) AB De Villiers:
Numbers just don’t do any justice to the South African’s extraordinary talent. He is probably the most complete batsman in the world. AB can propel shattered innings to a huge total. De Villiers is also called Mr.360 because of his ability to hit the bowler all across the park.
AB De Villiers is now a retired man but will play for his IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore. His heroics in the IPL are innumerous.
Statistics (int)
Innings – 75
Runs – 1672
Strike rate- 135.17
Average – 26.12
6) Lasith Malinga:
There’s something special about the veteran’s sidearm action that makes him so special for the side he plays for. Malinga is the highest wicket-taker of this format and has successfully dislodged the middle stump of the best batsmen with his toe crushing yorkers.
The Sri Lankan great creates an aura around himself as he bowls every time. Lasith’s 6/5 against New Zealand in Pellekele becomes the highlights of his t20 career. He plays for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL and is the highest wicket-taker of the league.
Statistics (int)
Matches – 79
Wickets – 106
Economy rate – 7.24
Average – 19.44
7) Rashid Khan:
Leg spinners have always been in demand, especially when this format is concerned. The 21-year-old is a product of twenty20 cricket. His control overturns and the line of the ball makes Rashid exceptional. Khan also bats like a dinosaur, once he gets going there’s no full stop.
The Afghanistan player hasn’t played as much as the other spinners but delivers well in high-pressure games. It’s not only about the wicket-taking ability but the batsmen find hard scoring against Rashid. He has now become one of the core players of Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Statistics (int)
Matches – 45
Wickets – 84
Economy rate – 6.15
Average – 12.52
8) Dwayne Bravo:
‘The Champion’ of this format has been providing the best service to any team he represents. Bravo’s bowling is all about tactical understanding. He can easily confuse any batsman with a slower one or a sudden cutter. While taking off the 36-year old’s batting, he is a hard hitter and can turn results.
Bravo has been a part of the CSK and has garnered a lot of love not only because of his all-round abilities as a batsman or a bowler but his reflexes and dives on the field are one of its kind.
Statistics bowling (int)
Matches – 56
Wickets – 53
Economy rate – 8.46
Average – 28.27
Statistics batting (int)
Innings – 59
Runs – 1142
Strike rate- 116.53
Average – 24.3
9) Sunil Narine:
One might want to ignore his last two IPL seasons before judging him as a really successful spinner in this format. Narine started in the IPL as a KKR spinner who was impossible to read. His talent with the bat solved Kolkata’s opening woes and this pinch hitter became one of the most explosive batsmen.
However, Sunil hails as a full-time bowler and served his country with wickets in a very economic setting.
Statistics (int)
Matches – 49
Wickets – 52
Economy rate – 6.02
Average – 21.25
10) Jasprit Bumrah:
Bumrah can be boasted as the greatest find of Mumbai Indians and the IPL. He is arguably the best white-ball bowler in the current scenario. Bumrah took off in 2013 and has had a rollercoaster ride since then. Now not only the franchise but the entire nation depends on Bumrah to deliver well in the death overs.
Bumrah being a yorker specialist never shies away from pressure and bowls with accurate variations. The unorthodox speedsters will be the x-factor of the best T20I XI.
Statistics (int)
Matches – 42
Wickets – 51
Economy rate – 6.72
Average – 20.18
11) M.S.Dhoni (captain & wicketkeeper):
Dhoni’s inclusion in this list over the supposedly younger wicketkeepers is because of the 37-year-old’s experience and leadership skills. Dhoni doesn’t only bat well or performs a tidy job behind the stumps, but also reads every situation and rescues the team.
The Ranchi based cricketer is ofter surrounded by questions aiming at his fitness and retirement, but if one looks back in the decade, there’s no one better than Mahendra Singh Dhoni. He has led India and Chennai Superkings into many victories and so this choice seems justified. MS Dhoni will also lead the best T20I Xi with his calm head and topmost leadership skills.
Statistics (int)
Innings – 85
Runs – 1617
Strike rate- 126.12
Average – 37.6
ALSO READ: 5 Best ODI Pacers Of The Decade (2010-present)
