The title “God of T20 International Cricket” has often been debated, with several players standing out due to their extraordinary records. Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Suryakumar Yadav have all excelled in different ways in the T20I format.
Some cricketing fans say that Virat Kohli is the God of T20 international cricket, while some others who love the cover drive of Babar Azam believe that Babar Azam is the God of T20I cricket. Those cricket lovers who love hard-hitting and love to watch raining sixes all around the ground, when asked who is the God of T20 cricket, name Suryakumar Yadav.
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Who is the God of T20I Cricket?
Below is a detailed comparison of their international T20 records to see how they each fare in terms of runs, averages, strike rates, and other key metrics.
Based on the following stats, you can select one name to be titled as the God of T20 international cricket.
1. Chris Gayle (West Indies)
Chris Gayle, often referred to as the “Universe Boss,” brought a power-packed style of play to T20 cricket, dominating bowlers with his sheer strength and boundary-hitting ability.
- Matches: 79, Innings: 75, Not Out: 7
- Runs: 1899, Highest Score: 117
- Average: 27.9, Strike Rate: 137.5
- 100s: 2, 50s: 14
- Fours: 158, Sixes: 124
Analysis: Known as the “Universe Boss,” Gayle’s raw power and 137.5 strike rate have made him a T20 icon. Although he has fewer runs and a lower average than the others on this list, his influence on T20 cricket is undeniable. His 124 sixes and fearless playing style have inspired many, though his role as a match-winner declined towards the latter part of his career.
2. Virat Kohli (India)
Virat Kohli is renowned for his consistency, chase mastery, and adaptability in T20 internationals. His classical style with a mix of aggressive running and placement sets him apart.
- Matches: 125, Innings: 117, Not Out: 31
- Runs: 4188, Highest Score: 122*
- Average: 48.7, Strike Rate: 137
- 100s: 1, 50s: 38
- Fours: 369, Sixes: 124
Analysis: Known for his consistency, Kohli’s average of 48.7 is phenomenal for T20 cricket, where big shots can lead to risky dismissals. He has the highest number of half-centuries among these players and is the highest run-scorer with 4188 runs. Kohli’s relatively moderate strike rate (137) reflects a more calculated approach, emphasizing his role as a stabilizer and anchor.
3. Babar Azam (Pakistan)
Babar Azam is known for his technical prowess and consistency. He anchors the innings for Pakistan and combines elegant stroke play with sound technique.
- Matches: 123, Innings: 116, Not Out: 15
- Runs: 4145, Highest Score: 122
- Average: 41, Strike Rate: 129.1
- 100s: 3, 50s: 36
- Fours: 440, Sixes: 72
Analysis: Babar Azam combines elegance with consistency. His average (41) is commendable, and with a solid strike rate of 129.1, Babar provides stability at the top. While he doesn’t have as many sixes as the others, his technical play and dependability have made him a vital part of Pakistan’s batting.
Babar Azam is such an elegant player and is famous for his beautiful cover drive. He holds the record for hitting the maximum boundaries in T20 International cricket which are 440 fours. It shows his consistency and instead of hitting maximum, he relies on his cover drives to keep the scoreboard moving.
Babar Azam has a long way to go and he has much time to improve his overall stats. If he continues his form after stepping down from captaincy, he can be the top scorer in International T20 cricket very soon. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are the only two players who are ahead of Babar Azam in T20I cricket’s most runs. But both of them announced their retirement. So Babar needs only a few good matches and he is good to hold the record of most T20 International runs in T20I cricket.
4. Rohit Sharma (India)
Rohit Sharma, the “Hitman,” is famous for his effortless six-hitting and ability to play big innings. He has led India to victories with his explosive starts and memorable hundreds.
- Matches: 159, Innings: 151, Not Out: 19
- Runs: 4231, Highest Score: 121*
- Average: 32, Strike Rate: 140.9
- 100s: 5, 50s: 32
- Fours: 383, Sixes: 205
Analysis: Rohit has the most centuries (5) and sixes (205) in T20 internationals among these players, showing his natural prowess for hitting big shots. Despite a relatively lower average (32), his high strike rate (140.9) and aggressive play make him a dangerous opener who can dismantle bowling attacks when in form.
Rohit holds the record of Maximum sixes in T20 International cricket as he hit 205 sixes in his entire T20I careeir. This shows how dangerous he was for the bowler as and aggressive opener. On his day, he had the ability to destroy they bowling attack of any team.
5. Suryakumar Yadav (India)
Suryakumar Yadav, often called “SKY,” is known for his innovative shots and a high strike rate. His fearless style and unconventional shot-making have quickly earned him a reputation as a game-changer.
- Matches: 74, Innings: 71, Not Out: 11
- Runs: 2544, Highest Score: 117
- Average: 42.4, Strike Rate: 169.5
- 100s: 4, 50s: 21
- Fours: 231, Sixes: 144
Analysis: Suryakumar’s explosive strike rate of 169.5 is among the highest in T20 internationals, showcasing his aggressive style. With four centuries and 21 fifties, his ability to score quickly and consistently makes him a dangerous middle-order batsman. His strike rate is far superior to other players, indicating his capability to shift games with powerful hitting.
6. Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan)
Mohammad Rizwan has made a name for himself with consistent scoring and high averages, especially in recent years. As a wicketkeeper-batsman, he brings versatility to Pakistan’s T20 setup.
- Matches: 102, Innings: 89, Not Out: 21
- Runs: 3313, Highest Score: 104*
- Average: 48.7, Strike Rate: 126.5
- 100s: 1, 50s: 29
- Fours: 278, Sixes: 92
Analysis: Rizwan’s average of 48.7, equal to Kohli’s, highlights his consistency and finishing ability. While his strike rate (126.5) is relatively lower, Rizwan’s role often involves anchoring the innings. His controlled, consistent approach has been crucial for Pakistan, especially in tight chases.
Comparison Table
| Player | Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s | Fours | Sixes | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suryakumar Yadav | 74 | 2544 | 42.4 | 169.5 | 4 | 21 | 231 | 144 | Aggressive Finisher |
| Virat Kohli | 125 | 4188 | 48.7 | 137 | 1 | 38 | 369 | 124 | Consistent Anchor |
| Rohit Sharma | 159 | 4231 | 32 | 140.9 | 5 | 32 | 383 | 205 | Explosive Opener |
| Babar Azam | 123 | 4145 | 41 | 129.1 | 3 | 36 | 440 | 72 | Technical Top Order |
| Mohammad Rizwan | 102 | 3313 | 48.7 | 126.5 | 1 | 29 | 278 | 92 | Consistent Opener |
| Chris Gayle | 79 | 1899 | 27.9 | 137.5 | 2 | 14 | 158 | 124 | Power Hitter |
So, Who is the “God” of T20 International Cricket?
- Consistency: Kohli and Babar lead in terms of average, highlighting their value as anchors.
- Aggression: Suryakumar’s remarkable strike rate of 169.5 sets him apart as the most aggressive and dynamic batter.
- Power: Rohit’s six-hitting ability (205 sixes) cements his role as a lethal opener.
- Influence: Chris Gayle, with his legacy, has had a lasting impact on the T20 format globally.
Each player brings unique strengths, making it challenging to crown a definitive “God” of T20 International cricket. For sheer consistency, Babar Azam might be considered a top choice, while Suryakumar stands out for his explosive strike rate, and Rohit for his power-hitting capacity.
But in the future, we know that 3 players out of these six has already announced their retirement from T20I cricket. So Babar, Suryakumar and Rizwan have to chance to improve their T20I career.
Mohammad Rizwan is the new captain of Pakistan cricket, but he is not as consistent as of Babar Azam, so Babar has to compete with Surya. Moreover, Suryakumar is 34 years old while Babar is only 30 years old. He has a long way to go. If he continues his form in T20 cricket, Babar Azam can be the future God of T20I cricket for a long time and there will be no other player who is going to beat him in terms of consistency and total career runs in T20 cricket.
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Aon Ali has graduated from the Institute of Engineering and Technology, Multan in 2012 and then he started his career in a local News agency as an IT manager. Later on, he started creating news reports for the sports category. Since he is fond of cricket, so most of his work is in the coverage of news related to local cricket events.
