10 best T20 batsmen of all time

There is a lot of T20 cricket that is being played around the world. Many players represent different teams in different tournaments across the globe and also play T20 internationals for their countries. Here is a list of 10 of the best batsmen among them. Following are the criteria for selection: 1. Players who have scored 2000 runs or more across all T20 games were listed. 2. Once that was done, the mean average of all the batsmen who fall in this category was calculated and was found to be 29.08.3. The mean strike-rate of these batsman was 128.83.4.The batsman who satisfied both the above criteria, i.e., have an average of more than 29.08 and a strike-rate (SR) of more than 128.83, are the ones who have been considered for the list of 10 best T20 cricketers of all time.5. 23 cricketers were found to be fulfilling that criteria. The averages and strike-rates for each of these 23 cricketers were compared relatively. 6.The final average and final SR were determined, and that gave us the difference in the averages and strike-rates for these players.7.The final average and final SR values were then multiplied to give equal weightage to both of them.8. A rating out of 10 was given to each of the players. So, then, here is what we arrived at:

#10 Quinton de Kock

Quinton De Kock

One of the emerging stars in international cricket, Quinton de Kock already has a strike rate of 132.92 in T20 cricket. The South African has played some fine innings for his franchiseHighveld Lionsand has improved his game immensely after a slow start to his career.

#9 Kieron Pollard

Kieron Pollard

Perhaps the most devastating cricketer to come out of the Caribbean islandsafter Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard announced his arrival on the T20 arena with a breathtaking 54 off 18 balls againstNew South Wales Blues in the 2009 edition of the Champions League. Pollard has a strike-rate of 153.75 in the T20 format and is one of the hardest hitters of the ball today.

His another crucial contribution with the bat came during the final of the 2013 IPL where he scored a match-winning 60 off 32 balls to lead his side to their maiden IPL triumph.

He is also an outstanding fielder who plucks incredible catches, out off thin air.

#8 David Warner

David Warner

The Australian opening batsman is considered one of the most destructive batsman going around in T20 cricket. He has strike rate of 141.18,and hisinnovative strokeplay makes him an ideal candidate at the top of the order.

Another batsman who has the ability to hit sixes at will, his most memorable T20 knocks came in the Champions League of 2011 where he smashed back-to-back centuries for New South Wales and helped his side reach the semi-finals of that tournament. He is among the few players in the game who represented his countryeven before playing a game for his state side, in 2009 against South Africa.

#7 Andrew Symonds

Andrew Symonds

Born in Birmingham, Andrew Symonds may not have had the most successful T20I career playing for Australia, but he sure was a mighty effective player domestically in the T20 format, striking at 147.35 per 100 balls. He was one of the hardest hitters of the cricket ball and, on his day, could take any opposition apart with his fearsome batting.

His most memorable innings in the T20 format came in the first season of the IPL where he smashed 117 off just 63 balls against Rajasthan Royals in Hyderabad, whacking even the likes of Shane Warne out of the park on a few occasions.

#6 Brad Hodge

Brad Hodge

An effective T20 player, the Victorian has a strike rateof 130.71 in T20 cricket. He is only second after Chris Gaylein the number of runs scored in the T20 formatand,since joining the Rajasthan Royals in 2012,has donned the role of a finisher, winning them games from difficult situations. His most memorable knock came during the 2013 season when he scored a match winning 54*to eliminate the Sunrisers Hyderabad and help the Royals progress through to the second qualifier.

#5 Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina

Despite not being a regular feature in the longer format of the game, there is no denying that Suresh Raina is a legend in the T20 format of the game.The batsman from Uttar Pradesh has a strike rate of 141.96 in T20 cricket and an average of 35.19and is also the only one so farto score a hundred for India in T20 Internationals.

He has been the lynchpin for his IPL franchise, Chennai Super Kings,and has remarkablynot missed a gamesince joining them in 2008. He scored a blistering87 off 25 balls in the second qualifierearlier this year;although it could not win the game for his franchise, it is still considered to be one among the best innings to have everbeen played in the IPL.

#4 MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni

IndianskipperMS Dhoni has a strike-rate of 136.59 per 100 balls in all forms of T20 cricket. As destructive as anyone in this format of the game, Dhoni tends to hold himself back in the batting order;as a result,on most occasions, hedoes not get as many deliveries to face as the rest do.

Nevertheless, the wicketkeeper-batsmansablity to hit sixes at will andfinish games for his side is remarkable,and he eventually finishes with higher strike-rates thanmost others in the batting order. His cameos in the end prove to be crucial most of the time.

#3 Shaun Marsh

Shaun Marsh

The Orange Cap winner (given for a seasons leading run-getter)in the inaugural edition of the IPL,Australian batsman Shaun Marsh has a overallstrike-rate of 129.91.But let that strike-ratenot fool you about the mans ability to strike the ball.

Marsh amassed 616 runs in the 11 games that he played in the first season;all his runs were scored playing cleancricketing shotsas he took his IPL franchiseKings XI Punjab to the semi-finalsthatyear.Marsh had another good season with the franchise in 2011 when he scored 504 runs in 14 matches at a strike-rate of 146.51.

Unfortunately, the Western Australian has not been able to deliver while playing for his country in the shorter format of the game and hence does not havea permanent spot in Australias T20 side.

#2 David Miller

David Miller

A destructive middle orderplayer, Miller hasplayed many a match-winning innings for his IPL franchiseKings XI Punjab. Along with Glenn Maxwell, Miller forms a deadly combo for the Punjab-basedfranchise that can tear apart any opposition on their day.The 25-year-old from Natal has a strike-rate of 139.65 per 100 balls,and that is bound to go up as he keeps playing more matches. No matter how muchthe opposition hasscored, they will always feelthat till the time hes in the middle the match is far from finished.

#1 Chris Gayle

Chris Gayle

Possibly the most devastating T20 cricketer of the modern era, the man from Jamaica has a strike-rate of 146.66 per 100 balls andan average of 41.72.He alsohas got the highest individualT20 score 175 not out to his name, which he scored in the IPLplaying for Royal Challengers Bangalore. Gayle tends to start his innings on a relatively slownote, but he has ability to change gears at will,and the complexion of the game, as well, within amatter of few deliveries.

Whether playing for his country or for any of his franchises across the globe, the 35-year-old is an asset for his side at the top of the innings.and opposition teams breathea huge sigh of relief when they see the back of him.