The shortest format of the game demands batsmen to score quickly and dominate the opposition. While some succumb to the pressure, others thrive on it. There have been some fantastic records made and some records are also been broken by some world-class T20 batsmen. One such record is the least number of innings taken to reach 1500 runs in T20Is. Here are the players who have managed to achieve this feat.
1. KL Rahul – 39*
KL Rahul, who once was India’s reserve opener in T20Is and ODIs and who hardly used to get a look-in, has managed to transform himself as one of the main players in the Indian team. He has had a staggering past 12 months and has been able to cement his place in the Indian T20I side as an opener and a first-choice wicket-keeper. He equalled the record of the least innings taken to reach 1500 runs in T20Is when he did it in his 39th T20I inning against Australia in the recently-concluded T20I series.
In 45 T20Is, Rahul has been able to score 1542 runs at a brilliant average of 44.05. He also has two hundreds to his name with his highest score of 110* coming against West Indies. He also formed the record for being the first batsman to score a T20I hundred batting at a position of No.4 or lower. He will be a crucial part of the Indian team with the 2021 T20 World Cup just less than a year away.
2. Virat Kohli -39
Indian skipper Virat Kohli is the highest run-scorer in the history of T20I cricket. He has played 85 T20Is and has scored 2928 runs at a staggering average of 50.48. His highest score of 94* came against the West Indies last year. He too has crossed the 1500-run mark in 39 innings and continues to be the best batsman in India currently in all three formats.
A lot of questions had been asked about Kohli’s captaincy in white-ball cricket. However, he has answered his critics in style by contributing with the bat and leading his side to a 10th successive T20I win. He will be a key player for India and will be willing to lead by example, winning that elusive maiden ICC Trophy as captain in the 2021 T20 World Cup.
3. Babar Azam – 39
Arguably Pakistan’s current best batsman, Babar Azam has proved that he is a real star in all three formats in the game. Especially in T20I cricket, he has taken his game to the next level after beginning to open for Pakistan. In 44 T20Is, he has 1681 runs to his name at a fantastic average of 50.93. His highest score of 97* came against the West Indies in 2018. He, too, has taken 39 innings to cross the 1500-run mark in T20I cricket.
Pakistan’s captain across all three formats now, Babar Azam’s eyes will be focused on his first major ICC tournament as captain in the 2021 T20 World Cup. He will be keen to keep on continuing his hot run of form so that he could help Pakistan progress in T20Is and especially in mega ICC tournaments.
4. Aaron Finch – 39
Australian white-ball skipper Aaron Finch has been an established T20I player and has some great numbers in the shortest format of the game. In 66 T20Is, he has amassed 2149 runs at an average of 37.70 with two staggering hundreds. His highest score of 172 came against Zimbabwe in 2018.
Finch too has crossed the 1500 run-mark in T20Is in 39 innings and has been leading by example for Australia. With the 2021 T20 World Cup less than a year away, he will be itching to keep his good form going and help Australia win their maiden T20 World Cup.
