The Mens T20 World Cup is one of the most exciting tournaments in cricket. Since it started in 2007, many players have performed amazingly well. They have shown great skill with both bat and ball. But it is very hard to say who the Greatest Players in Mens T20 World Cup History is because so many have done great things.
Some players are excellent at scoring runs, some are fantastic bowlers, and others do well in both batting and bowling. The T20 format is fast and unpredictable, so players who can handle pressure and play smart cricket often become legends.
In this article, we will look at some of the Greatest Players in Mens T20 World Cup History. We will explain why they are important and show their stats in tables to understand their achievements better.
List of 5 Greatest Players in Mens T20 World Cup History
5. Lasith Malinga
Lasith Malinga is one of the greatest fast bowlers in T20 history. Known for his unique slingy bowling action and deadly yorkers, he was very difficult to face in crucial moments of the game Greatest Players in Mens T20 World Cup History.
Malinga played 31 T20 World Cup matches and took 38 wickets at a bowling average of 20.07. His economy rate was 7.43 runs per over. He has a best bowling figure of 5 wickets for 31 runs against England. He also took a rare hat-trick in the T20 World Cup, once again against England.
His ability to bowl at the death overs and take wickets helped Sri Lanka win the 2014 T20 World Cup and finish runner up in 2012 Greatest Players in Mens T20 World Cup History.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 31 |
| Wickets Taken | 38 |
| Bowling Average | 20.07 |
| Economy Rate | 7.43 |
| Best Bowling | 5/31 (vs England) |
| Hat-tricks | 1 (vs England) |
| World Cup Wins | Winner (2014) |
| Runner-up Finishes | 2012 |
4. Chris Gayle
Chris Gayle is famously known as the “Universe Boss” because of his incredible power hitting in T20 cricket. He was the first player ever to score a century in a T20 World Cup. His aggressive batting style made him a feared opponent Greatest Players in Mens T20 World Cup History.
Gayle played 33 matches in the T20 World Cup, scoring 965 runs at an average of 34.46 with a strike rate of 142.75 which means he scored very quickly. He made 7 half-centuries and 2 centuries, including a top score of 117 against South Africa. He also hit 63 sixes in T20 World Cups, showing his destructive hitting ability Greatest Players in Mens T20 World Cup History.
Gayle played an important role in West Indies winning two T20 World Cups (2012 and 2016) Greatest Players in Mens T20 World Cup History.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 33 |
| Runs Scored | 965 |
| Batting Average | 34.46 |
| Strike Rate | 142.75 |
| 50s/100s | 7/2 |
| Best Score | 117 (vs South Africa) |
| Sixes Hit | 63 |
| World Cup Wins | 2012, 2016 |
3. Shakib Al Hasan
Shakib Al Hasan is one of the best all rounders ever to play in T20 World Cups. He has contributed with both bat and ball, making him invaluable for Bangladesh. No other player has taken more wickets in T20 World Cups than Shakib Greatest Players in Mens T20 World Cup History.
He has played 35 matches, scored 742 runs with a batting average of 23.93, and taken 50 wickets with a bowling average of 19.94. His economy rate is an excellent 6.78 runs per over, meaning he gives away very few runs while bowling. His best bowling figures are 5 wickets for 20 runs, and his highest batting score is 84 against Pakistan.
Shakib’s all-round skills helped Bangladesh win important matches and reach the later stages in tournaments where they were often seen as underdogs Greatest Players in Mens T20 World Cup History.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 35 |
| Runs Scored | 742 |
| Wickets Taken | 50 |
| Batting Average | 23.93 |
| Bowling Average | 19.94 |
| Economy Rate | 6.78 |
| Best Bowling | 5/20 (vs PNG) |
| Best Batting Score | 84 (vs Pakistan) |
2. Mahela Jayawardene
Mahela Jayawardene was one of the earliest stars of T20 World Cups. His elegant batting style and ability to play under pressure helped Sri Lanka reach many important stages, including two finals. His calm presence in the middle order gave balance to the team Greatest Players in Mens T20 World Cup History.
Jayawardene played 31 matches in T20 World Cups, scoring 1016 runs. He had an average of 39.07 and a strike rate of 134.74, which is very good for T20 cricket. He scored 6 half-centuries and 1 century. His highest score was 100 runs against Zimbabwe.
Jayawardene’s experience and smart cricket helped Sri Lanka win the tournament once (2014) and finish runners-up twice (2009 and 2012). His leadership and skill were key reasons for Sri Lanka’s success during his time Greatest Players in Mens T20 World Cup History.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 31 |
| Runs Scored | 1016 |
| Batting Average | 39.07 |
| Strike Rate | 134.74 |
| 50s/100s | 6/1 |
| Best Score | 100 (vs Zimbabwe) |
| World Cup Wins | Winner (2014) |
| Runner-up Finishes | 2009, 2012 |
RAED MORE: Top 5 Most Runs Scored in a Single Over in T20 Cricket History
1. Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli is one of the greatest batsmen in T20 cricket. In the Men’s T20 World Cup, he has been extremely consistent and often played the key role of chasing down targets in tough situations. His calm approach and ability to score runs under pressure made him the backbone of India’s batting Greatest Players in Mens T20 World Cup History.
Kohli has appeared in 27 T20 World Cup matches. He scored 1141 runs at an astonishing average of 81.5. His strike rate is 131.3, which shows how quickly he scores runs. Even though he never scored a century, his 14 half-centuries prove his consistency. His best score is 89 not out against West Indies. Kohli also earned 7 Player of the Match awards and was Player of the Tournament twice (2014 and 2016).
He is known for his fearless chasing ability. Whenever India was under pressure to get runs in the second innings, Kohli often took charge and finished games. His leadership and focus also inspired the whole team Greatest Players in Mens T20 World Cup History.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 27 |
| Runs Scored | 1141 |
| Batting Average | 81.50 |
| Strike Rate | 131.30 |
| 50s/100s | 14/0 |
| Best Score | 89* (vs West Indies) |
| Player of the Match | 7 |
| Player of the Tournament | 2014, 2016 |
It is difficult to name only one player as the best in Men’s T20 World Cup history because cricket depends on many skills and moments. The five players featured here represent different aspects of excellence in T20 cricket from batting and bowling to all round performance Greatest Players in Mens T20 World Cup History.
Each of these players has left a legacy and unforgettable memories for cricket fans. Together, they make the T20 World Cup the exciting and competitive tournament it is today Greatest Players in Mens T20 World Cup History.