Current T20 World XI

Twenty20s have become an ideal part of the cricketing calender with a number of T20 competitions around the world. Even though, the slam-bang format does not give long standing fame and honours to players, they certainly allow cricketers to shine under the limelight. Ever considered naming an all-star T20 World XI involving leading players from different parts of the planet? Here is one.Note 1: The players are selected on the level of effectiveness and impact one can manage in a fixture.Note 2: Not more than 3 players have been included from a particular nation.Note 3: The team is selected based on performances in all T20 matches, not just T20 internationals.

#1 Chris Gayle

With muscular shoulders, the hard hitting left-hander from the Caribbean is a force to reckon with and can take the game away from the opposition even by the end of powerplay. As many as 12 T20 centuries with a highest score of 175* (both world records) say a lot about the 34-year-old’s capabilities in the shortest format of the game.

With a dominant playing style, he is also the leading run scorer in all T20s. Add to that, an impressive average of 41.72 and a strike rate of 146.03 makes the West Indian powerhouse a must pick for any T20 team.

#2 Shane Watson

The all-rounder from Australia is capable of upping the ante when he decides to open up and can nicely complement Gayle in the left-right opening combination. True, the 33-year-old does not open the batting anymore, but his value to the side as an all-rounder is compelling.

Since Watson comes into the team for better balancing of the side, his fellow countrymen Aaron Finch, David Warner along with Kiwi Brendon McCullum have no option but to sit out.

#3 Virat Kohli

The versatile Indian star is game for any format and T20s are no exception. The player of the tournament in the World T20 2014 also leads the Indian run-scorers list in international matches with an incredible average of 46.28 in T20Is.

The right-hander can be the perfect batsman for any situation and can switch gears at will. Being the master of pacing his innings, the Delhi lad will explode in later stages to make bowlers wilt under pressure.

Mohammad Hafeez’s success as an all-rounder is not convincing enough to keep Kohli away.

#4 Suresh Raina

The Chennai Super King recently became the first Indian to cross 5000 T20 runs. The free flowing left-hander has become a specialist in handling pressure situations and his 87 off 25 balls in the last IPL season while chasing a total in excess of 200 is a proof for the same.

Being someone who is comfortable against both spin and pace in this format, Raina can make any team run for cover with his shots, particularly the lofted inside out stroke and the slog over midwicket boundary.

David Miller and Faf du Plessis are unlucky to miss out.

#5 AB de Villiers

The South African is widely considered as the most complete batsman of modern times. The dynamic right-hander can play all strokes in the book to go with the ramp shots and his own version of the scoop shot, making him a complete package for the bang-bang format.

He can finish matches without much of a fuss and is extremely dangerous to bowl at in the death overs. On his day, he is capable of depositing any particular delivery into the stands.

#6 Glenn Maxwell

The 25-year-old Australian is touted to be the future superstar of T20s and his ability to play all around the wicket only makes one agree to that. However, always looking for risky shots does not make his average look good, but a strike rate of 160.06 certainly is convincing.

Also, considering the number of dependable T20 stars above him, it is not a bad idea to draft in the batsman who knows no fear at 6.

#7 MS Dhoni (c) (wk)

The Indian captain might not have a great T20 international record behind him, but his exploits in IPL combined with his finishing abilities in ODIs are too much to miss out on. The 33-year-old Indian can also serve with the role of captaincy in this star-studded team.

The maverick right-hander gets immense power with a strong bottom hand play which he uses to good effect. There has been some healthy debate on whether he or de Villiers is the better finisher. Why not have both when we have a chance?

#8 Dale Steyn

Undoubtedly, Steyn is the best bowler in the world at the moment and numbers do confirm the same. No introductions needed to the variations in his armory that he cleverly uses to fox the batsmen. With more and more bowlers relying on only slower deliveries to tie batsmen down, the Protean will be looking to dismiss them with aggression and pace.

He can walk into any side in the world and will remain positive, however difficult the match situation is.

#9 Lasith Malinga

The right-arm seamer is an expert in dishing out wicket-taking yorkers at will. Even though his deliveries do not guarantee success at times, the probability of him, missing his intended length is comparatively minimal.

With a slingy action, the Sri Lankan pacer can unsettle any batting order. Not many around the world have mastered his unique delivery style and variations, thus, he makes his way into the side without any trouble.

#10 Sunil Narine

Again a mandatory pick. Blessed with amazing accuracy in his bowling, Narine’s variations are yet to be mastered by the batsmen to take advantage of. The mystery spinner rarely uses his stock delivery mixing it up with a half-a-dozen other varieties and is astonishingly successful at the death.

Like Malinga, he is calm and always keeps a steady head no matter what happens in the field. He has a career economy rate of 5.43 in all T20 matches that only consolidates his position as the first choice spinner.

#11 Mitchell Starc

One of the leading left-arm seamers around in T20 cricket, the Australian can also effectively operate in the death overs barring a few odd games. He has a very useful yorker and bowls them at a brisk pace to make them double effective.

He can also provide early inroads with the new ball and will be equally efficient in the middle overs if the situation demands. Raina and Maxwell can chip in with some overs if the surface takes spin.