ICC World T20 : Top 10 batting performances from the slam bang tournament.

As the ICC men's world T20 nears its 10th edition, I list down 10 of my favourite batting performances. This is Pitch Point’s personal choice and it isn’t based edition wise. The tournament has produced some riveting batting and picking 10 would be an injustice, but still we try. So here goes Pitch Point’s list of some of the most iconic knocks. 

10 :  Micheal Hussey ( 60 vs Pakistan, ICC world T20 2010).

This moment was mentioned in the other great moment list and the reason it is repeated here is the sheer impact of this knock. Australia always are a beast in knockout games and this game was an exemplary example. Pakistan scored a massive 191, a more than par score in a semi final. In the run chanse, Australia needed 87 of 55 when Hussey came out to bat. Then 30 from 18, then 26 from 8 and 18 of the final over. But Hussey stood like a rock and struck 6 riveting sixes in his whirlwind knock. 

His taking down of Saeed Ajmal was a sight for the ages as he struck 3 sixes and a four in the final over that left the Pakistan fans shell shocked in broad daylight. Ian Chappel in the commentary box mentioned that someone, who wasn’t known as a hitter, played such an astonishing innings. 

9 : Marlon Samuels (78 vs Sri Lanka, ICC world T20 2012)

West Indies played some thrilling cricket in the 2012 T20 world cup but in the final, were bogged down by Sri Lanka, particularly by Ajantha Mendis, who removed Chris Gayle in the first over of the final. Out walked Marlon Samuels. The first 10 overs yielded just 32 runs, but the actual action unfolded post that. 100 runs were added in the back 10 overs as West Indies ended up with a modest score of 137, out of which Samuels scored a terrific 78. His taking down of Malinga was one of the key highlights of the final, but he wasn't done yet.

He returned with economical figures with the ball as the Windies clinched their first ICC trophy since 2004 as Sunil Narine, Samuel Badree, Ravi Rampaul snared crucial breakthroughs to break Sri Lankan hearts at a packed Premadasa stadium. But the foundation was laid by Samuels with the bat which helped West Indies script history.

8 : Chris Gayle (117 vs South Africa, ICC world T20 2007) 

Can any list be complete without Chris Gayle??? Obviously not. The swashbuckling southpaw has lit up every ground he has batted on in T20s, but it all started on that famous night at the Wanderers in 2007. The occasion was the inaugural world T20 and Chris Gayle took off like he was born to play the format as he took from from ball 1 itself.

Gayle struck a bludgeoning 117 of just 57 balls with 7 fours and 10 sixes as he took a particular liking to Shaun Pollock, who he smashed 22 in an over off. Riding on his robust innings, the West Indies made a huge 205 runs, the highest score of the world cup, at that time. Even though Gibbs scored a terrific 90 and South Africa won the game, the Bullring was mesmerised by the GAYLE- STORM.

7 : Kane Williamson (85 vs Australia ICC world T20, 2021)

Over the years, Kane Williamson has been labelled as a high quality test player, in fact one of the best in this generation. As expected, the T20 format doesn’t come naturally to him. But this particular innings made him special as it came in the final of the 2021 edition in Dubai under a bit of pressure.

Electing to field first, Australia had New Zealand under a a bit of wobbling at 76/2 in 12 overs, but that's where the Kiwis took off from. Williamson, with Glenn Philips at the other end scored a sublime 85, including one over where he clobbered Mitch Starc for 22 runs and put on an exhibition of batsmanship for the Dubai crowd. Starc conceded 60 runs in his 4 overs which was his most expensive outing.

Although Australian romped home with an over remaining, considering a Mitchell Marsh special, it was the Williamson blitz that had the Dubai crowd enthralled as the Kiwi skipper played some mesmerising cricket shots.

6 : Joe Root ( 83 vs South Africa, ICC world T20, 2016)

Often considered a test batsman, Joe Root in T20s was a miss more than a hit often. But one particular knock of his stood out so effectively that it was impossible to ignore. And the icing on the cake is that it came in the 2016 edition of the T20 world cup

After South Africa posted a gargantuan 229 batting first at the Wankhede stadium riding on fifties by Quinton De Kock, Hashim Amla and a fiery cameo by JP Duminy, England had to return the favour. Everyone expected either Jason Roy or Jos Butler to score big, but it was Root who did the “AURA FARMING” that day.

One of the most magnificent shots he played in his 44 ball 83 was a low reverse scoop of Kyle Abbott that had a packed Wankhede crowd collectively marvel. Root made sure he stayed there till the end as England chased the target down in the final over with help from the lower order. In a glittering test career, where he has broken many records, this was one of his better knocks in the shortest formats.

5 : Daryl Mitchell ( 72 vs England, ICC world T20 2021)

2019. Lords. The final of the 50 over world cup. New Zealand almost pulled off a heist only to lose by a ridiculous margin of less boundary count. Kane Williamson had a dream shattered right in front of him at cricket’s theatre of dreams. Although he was named the player of the tournament, he saw Eoin Morgan and co lift a world cup in front of his eyes and his stoic face told the story.

But as the old adage goes, when sport gives you a second chance, you have to grab it with both hands and the Kiwis did exactly that. The occasion was the first semi final of the 2021 edition in Dubai. England posted a competitive 166 on the board thanks to a 37 ball 51 from Moeen Ali. New Zealand in the run chase were 13/2 and a 2019 encore beckoned.  

But Daryl Mitchell stood like a rock. His terrific 72, aided by a smart 27 run cameo by James Neesham helped New Zealand get over the line and get over the 2019 wounds as the “ NICE GUYS”  didn’t finish second this time.

4 : Mathew Wade ( 41 vs Pakistan, ICC world T20 2021).

Another Australian leftie. Another semi final against Pakistan and another almost certain victory ends in defeat. After posting a commanding 176 on the board in a crucial semi final and reducing Australia to 96/5 in 12 overs, Pakistan thought they had this one in the bag only for a riveting Matthew Wade cameo to take it away at the death and once again break Pakistan fans heart, this time in their own backyard.

Aided by Marcus Stoinis, he took a particular liking for Shaheen Afridi as he smashed 20 off his over, includiding 3 massive sixes. Hasan Ali will always be known infamously for the dropped catch in the over, but as they say, fortune favors the brave, Matthew Wade was brave.... VERY brave as he single handedly took the Aussies to their second T20 final, where they pipped New Zealand to win their 1st ever T20 World cup, adding to their already glittering cabinet.

3 : Brendan Taylor (60 vs Australia, ICC world T20,2007)

The most unusual, but important entry on the list is a veteran knock by a veteran player. Brendon Taylor was Zimbabwe’s mainstay for the longer time and this calculated knock proved as to why he was. It came in the inaugural edition of the world cup and more importantly came against a top Aussie side.

Having won the 50 over world cup earlier in the year, Australia were naturally favourites to do an encore in the T20 World Cup, but little did they know that an over enthusiastic Zimbabwe side would play party spoilers. After posting a modest 138 runs on the board the Aussies would have hoped Zimbabwe would be bundled out cheaply. 

But Brendon Taylor stood firm. And played one of the most defining innings of the competition and guided Zimbabwe to their most famous win ever. The win didn’t take them to the next round but they did cause a dent in the Aussie camp.

2 : Yuvraj Singh (58 vs England, ICC World T20 2007)

India didn’t start well in the super 8 of the ICC world T20 in 2007 as they lost to New Zealand by 10 runs despite valiant efforts by Gambhir, Dhoni and Sehwag, but eventually fell 10 runs short. The England game was a must win and the opening partnership between Sehwag and Gambhir yielded 136 precious runs. But it was the 19th over where the actual drama unfolded.

After a brief altercation with Andrew Flintoff, Yuvraj Singh went into over drive mode. Stuart Broad, who completely lost control after he was hit for one six, ended up conceding 5 more, and getting his name in the record books for the wrong reasons. 

But the night belonged to Yuvraj Singh. Single handedly destroying England, he lit up Kingsmead on that glorious night as India won by a thin margin of 18 runs, with those 6 sixes playing an important role. The win not only helped them stay in the competition but also eventually lift the world cup, somewhat healing the wounds of the 50 over world cup earlier that year.

1 : Virat Kohli (82 vs Australia, ICC World T20, 2016)

A poll in the recent ODI series read “ Are India still dependent on Virat Kohli”, and the answer… was a resounding YES. But this was relevant even a decade ago. The World T20 came home in 2016 and India were firm favourites to lift another trophy at home after the glorious night of 2nd April 2011. But they stumbled. In a mouth watering group that had Australia, New Zealand, India Pakistan and Bangladesh, India lost to New Zealand, pulled off an easy win against Pakistan and won a humdinger against Bangladesh and stood on a virtual knockout against the Aussies.

It was time to avenge the 2015 semi final defeat and nobody understood the assignment better than Virat Kohli. After Australia scored a competitive 160, they rattled India with early wickets.  But the chase master stood there. Calm, composed, calculated. Kohli, along with MS Dhoni ran some exemplary doubles, and took on the bowlers in calculated fashion. 

One of the most breath taking shots he hit was a six of Glenn Maxwell over long off as even Maxwell watched in disbelief. He made sure he stayed till the end as he played one of the most iconic innings across editions as the knock takes the numero uno position.