Test cricket is considered as the purest form of the game by the cricketing fraternity. The traditional format has been the torchbearer of the gentlemen’s game since the late 1880s. The classical format of the game demands some special skills from the players to flourish.
With time, shorter formats have been introduced to cricket. Twenty20, the newest variant of limited overs cricket was introduced in 2003. It was introduced with the purpose to complete the match within about three hours and also to attract more audience.
Cricket pundits around the world initially predicted that the slam-bang version of the game is only for young players who can experiment with their skills and proper Test batsmen will not become successful in this. They advocated that this format of the game is for the big-hitters and not for those who play the classical brand of cricket.
However, in the Indian Premier League players from around the world, who are known to be proper Test batsmen suited in the T20 format with relative ease. These players proved that with proper cricketing skills a player can be successful in even the shortest format of the game.
Here we are listing out five IPL stars who destroyed the folklore that proper Test batsmen cannot play T20 cricket.
Ajinkya Rahane
The 27-year-old Indian batsman is among one of the more conventional Test cricketers in this modern-era of T20 cricket. In 22 Test matches so far he has scored 1619 runs at an average of 44.97 and also scored six centuries.
The opener, however, has also been very successful in the IPL. The lad from Mumbai has scored five fifties in this year’s tournament so far. In 90 IPL matches so far he has scored 2538 runs at a superb average of 35.25 and with a strike-rate of 120.62.
Rahane has been criticized earlier for his slow and non-risk approach to the game but he answered his critics with his performances. He backed his abilities and plays genuine cricketing shots in the slam-bang T20 league.
Steven Smith
The 26-year-old Australian batsman is currently one of the best Test batsmen in the world. The right-handed batsman’s Test record speaks the volume of his caliber. In 41 Test matches so far, he has scored 3852 runs at a whopping average of 60.18 along with 14 centuries.
The Australian captain is also one of biggest overseas stars in the IPL. In 54 IPL matches, he has scored 1231 runs at a superb average of 36.20 and with an impressive strike-rate of 135.87along with one hundred and two half-centuries.
The New South Wales-born cricketer is currently out of this year’s tournament with an injury but showed his class in the few games he played for the Rising Pune Supergiants. His tremendous success in the cash-rich tournament is another proof that Test batsmen can also flourish in the T20s.
Rahul Dravid
The former Indian right-handed batsman is one of the greatest test cricketers of all time. He is one of the most technically complete players the world has ever seen. In 164 Test matches, he has scored 13288 runs at an average of 52.31 along with 36 centuries.
The 43-year-old cricketer has also flourished in the IPL. He has scored 2174 runs in 89 matches at an impressive average of 28.23 and with a strike-rate of 115.51. He even opened the innings in the IPL and played the role of a sheet-anchor.
Known as “The Wall”, Dravid has always been the most reliable batsman the Indian team has ever produced and India has produced several legendary batsmen over the years. His success in the T20 tournament is another proof that Test players can play T20s.
Mahela Jayawardene
The 38-year-old former Sri Lankan cricketer is one of the finest Test cricketers that the nation has ever produced. In 149 Test matches, he has scored 11814 runs at an outstanding average of 49.84 along with 34 hundred.
The Colombo-born cricketer was also one of the biggest stars in IPL. He played for three franchises in the Indian T20 league. In 80 IPL matches, he has scored 1802 runs at a healthy average of 28.60 and with a good strike-rate of 123.25.
His excellent records in T20s also advocate the fact that proper Test cricketers can also flourish in the quick-fire format of T20.
Jacques Kallis
The former South African all-rounder is undoubtedly one of the greatest Test cricketers that the world has ever seen. In 166 Test matches, he has scored 13289 runs at a staggering average of 55.37 and also picked up 292 wickets.
The 40-yer-old cricketer also proved his worth in the cash-rich T20 tournament. He played 98 matches for two franchises in the IPL and won two IPL titles with the Kolkata Knight Riders. He was an instrumental part of the team with his vast experience and superior game consciousness.
The right-handed batsman has scored 2427 runs at an average of 28.55 and with a strike-rate of 109.22. He often played the sheet-anchor role at the top of the order and the whole batting line-up was formed around him.
The right-arm fast medium bowler also contributed with the ball. He has picked up 65 wickets with an economy rate of 7.89.
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