All-Time greatest T20 XI

There was a time in the ODI format where scores above 300 plus looked quite impossible to chase. If the team would post that amount of runs, then it was bound to happen that the chasing team would fail nine out of ten times.

Also, Test matches use to get stretched till the fifth day, and would often end in a draw, but now things have changed drastically. Gone are the days when 300 plus scores seemed like a mountain. Gone are the days when Test matches use to go till the last session.

The introduction of T20 format has bought a big change in the game of cricket. The game has taken up the pace. The count of draw matches in Tests have dropped significantly, and teams in the ODI format are easily chasing 350 plus scores.

Batsmen, bowlers and fielders have set their standards very high after the advent of T20 cricket. It has been more than a decade when this format was introduced, and many players have showcased their skills in this game.

This team consists of all the legends who have defined the T20 cricket over the years and have entertained the fans all around the world. Let us find out which player makes the dream team.

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#1 Chris Gayle (West Indies)

Chris Gayle has the highest number of boundaries and sixes in T20 cricket

Christopher Henry Gayle, without any doubt, is the best T20 batsman in world cricket. He owns almost every record in this format and has won many matches single-handedly whether it is for West Indies or any franchise team.

The Universal boss was the first batsman to score 10000 runs in T20 cricket and still going strong. In 335 T20 matches, he has accumulated 11454 runs at an average just above 40 and strike rate of 148.57. With 21 centuries and 70 half-centuries, he is simply the legend of this format.

Gayle has been the most destructive batsman with his power hitting abilities and could turn the game on his head. With all the records and dominating style of batting, he is the first choice player in the all-time list for the T20 format.

#2 David Warner (Australia) (Vice-captain)

Warner has been consistent in this format

The pocket-sized dynamo from Australia had made his mark in the international cricket through T20 format only. David Warner was directly drafted into this side without any First Class match and made a stunning 89 off 43 balls in a T20l debut against South Africa.

Since then, Warner has never looked back and displayed his destructive batting skills. He is one of the most consistent performers in T20 cricket and has a phenomenal record. In 243 T20 matches, he amassed over 7500 runs at an average of 35.33 and strike rate of 143.54 with six centuries and 59 fifties.

Warner has been very successful in IPL also and led Sunrisers Hyderabad to the title in 2016. He will be opening alongside Gayle and will be the vice-captain of this team for his leadership skills.

#3 Virat Kohli (India)

Kohli is in great form in all the formats

Virat Kohli needs no introduction as he is currently the best batsman in the world. He is the Bradman of this T20 format for his incredible consistency and hunger for runs.

Kohli has scored 7744 in all T20 matches with an average around 40, and strike rate of 133.33. In T20 internationals he is more successful, and the average reaches almost 50. He has won lots of matches for India, and also performed brilliantly in pressure situations.

Kohli has scored four centuries in his T20, and all tons came in IPL 2016 season. He is the perfect fit for number three as most of the runs have come at this position and can set the tone for the batting side.

#4 AB de Villiers (South Africa)

De Villiers was one of the most destructive batsmen in the world cricket.

Cricket is blessed to have the services of AB de Villiers, and after he announced the retirement, it was a huge loss for the game. He has been one of the finest cricketers the world has seen.

De Villiers had the ability to play all shots and dispatch them to all parts of the ground. On his day he could tear apart any bowling attack and was a complete match-winner in all the three formats.

In his T20 career, de Villiers had scored 6649 runs at an amazing strike rate of 147.91 with three centuries and 45 half-centuries. In the international ODIs, he holds the record for scoring the fastest century off 31 balls. With the presence of Mr.360 in this team, the opposition would have nightmares until he gets dismissed.

#5 Suresh Raina (India)

Suresh Raina's T20 career has been quite successful

Suresh Raina is one of the best batsmen in T20 format and has an incredible record. He is known as the Mr. IPL as he holds the record for most runs in all IPL season. He has scored 4985 runs in 176 IPL matches.

For India, he has been equally successful and played many match winning knocks. He was the first Indian to score a T20I century, and also the first batsman from India to score a century in all three formats. Overall, he has accumulated 7929 runs in 296 matches with the strike rate touching almost 140.

The southpaw has not been that successful in Tests, but he is already a legend in T20s. He stands fifth in the all-time leading run scorer in the history of this format.

#6 MS Dhoni (India) (Captain & Wicket-Keeper)

MS Dhoni has won four titles in T20 formats as a cap

MS Dhoni without any doubt is the best captain in the limited overs cricket. He has won almost everything including the inaugural World T20 title in 2007. In the T20 format, he has been very successful and scored runs when the team needed the most.

In 297 matches, he has amassed 6075 with a good strike rate of 136.18. With the wicketkeeping, he has been equally good and has contributed in crunch times. No one can forget the way he produced the historic run out in World Cup clash against Bangladesh in 2016 which the team eventually won by one run. His cool and calm nature in pressure situation makes him an invaluable player in any team.

Dhoni will be the captain and wicketkeeper of this team for his vital contribution in this format.

#7 Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh)

Shakib Al Hasan is a big asset for any team as an all-rounder

Shakib Al Hasan is one of the finest all-rounders in World cricket whether it is limited overs format or Test format. He is currently number three player in the ICC ODI rankings for all-rounders and has been there consistently at the top.

Shakib has been a consistent performer for the team both with the bat and ball. In his overall T20 career, he has scored over 4000 runs at a decent strike rate of 121.76, and with the ball, he picked up 310 wickets with an impressive economy of 6.83.

For a team to be competitive in T20s, it must have at least 2-3 all rounders and Shakib fits perfect for this role. He will be the all-around player in this team for his consistent performance in this team.

#8 Dwayne Bravo (West Indies)

Bravo is the most experienced T20 player

Dwayne Bravo is the best T20 all-rounder and has proved to be the legend of this format. The Carribean player became the first player to take 400 wickets in T20s and has been very effective with bowling variations.

Bravo is a big asset for any team because he provides the much-needed balance. He has played almost every T20 league in the world and has been successful for all franchise team. In his overall T20 career, he has picked up 433 wickets with an economy just higher above 8.

In the batting department, he has contributed over 5700 runs in 396 matches with a strike rate of almost 125. Without Bravo, any T20 team will be incomplete and will feature as a fast bowling all-rounder.

#9 Sunil Narine (West Indies)

Narine is the best spinner when it comes to T20 cricket

Sunil Narine is one of the most prolific players in the T20 format and made his mark through this format only. He has been one of the most dangerous bowlers in T20s and has performed exceptionally well.

Narine was drafted into Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) team in IPL 2012 season, and it was the highest point of his career. He picked up 24 wickets leading KKR to their maiden title and was adjudged as Man of the tournament. In the past few years, he has also opened for the various franchise and has been quite successful.

In 287 matches, he has picked up 334 wickets at an average of below 20. An economy of 5.92 in his whole T20 career speaks great volumes of his skill and accuracy in bowling. The ability to outfox batsman with subtle variations is his biggest strength and performed consistently. With the bat, he is no ordinary player and has scored six half-centuries with a career strike rate of almost 150.

Narine will be the frontline spinner in this team and could contribute lower down the order with lusty blows.

#10 Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka)

Malinga has defined the T20 cricket with his excellent bowling skills

When it comes to T20 cricket and if you imagine the best bowler in this format then the name Lasith Malinga comes first to our mind. He is no doubt the most effective bowler in T20s with all his skills and performance.

Toe-crushing Yorkers, slower balls, bouncers or any variation you name it, Malinga has mastered it to perfection. Though he has not been that effective in Tests, he has been the opposite in limited overs format especially T20s.

Currently, Malinga is the highest wicket-taker in this format and has picked up 348 wickets with an incredible economy of 6.87. He has been the go-to bowler for every team, and it is not surprising that he makes it to the dream team.

#11 Umar Gul (Pakistan)

Gul was the backbone of Pakistan bowling in absence of Shoaib Akhtar

Umar Gul is the last one to make into this team, and it could be a surprising choice for everyone. But when it comes to T20 cricket, he stands top in the list of elite bowlers.

Gul's ability to take wickets upfront with accurate line and seam bowling makes him an impeccable bowler. When the ball gets older, his fast reverse swinging yorkers are quite difficult to handle which is why he is one of the best death bowlers.

Gul has enjoyed a lot of success in the T20 format and has picked up 202 wickets with an economy of 7.45 which is commendable. His contribution was invaluable for Pakistan team where they won 2009 T20 World Cup. His consistency and success cannot be ignored, and hence he makes into this team.