Number Nuggets: 5 most impactful batsmen in T20 internationals

It has been almost 13 years since the inception of T20 cricket in the international arena. It all started with the first T20I match between Australia and New Zealand. Since then, T20 cricket has emerged as a forerunner of entertainment in world cricket.

As the game has been evolving, It has been tilting more and more in the favor of batsmen with new rules favoring them more. While the rules may be favouring the batsmen, the batsmen too have evolved with improved shot selection, perfectly pacing their innings.

Having said that, let's find out the 5 most impactful batsmen in T20 Internationals.

Please Note: The objective here is not to find out the best batsmen; which is rather subjective. Rather, it is to find out the most impactful batsmen based on a tried and tested non-biased methodology.

Methodology & Criteria

1. The methodology considers all the factors that can be a part of a batsman’s performance such as runs, strike rate, average, consistency, man of the match, man of the series, etc.

2. The entire data is pooled into two groups, viz. Subcontinent and Non-subcontinent pitches.

3. A slightly higher weightage is given to performance on non-subcontinent pitches.

5. To be eligible for the ranking, batsmen should have played at least 15 matches each on subcontinent and non-subcontinent pitches.

6. This is a statistical comparison, and the end result is to find out the impact rating on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the highest.

7. Statistical data updated till the third T20 International between Ireland and Afghanistan, 2018.

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#5 Glenn Maxwell

Perhaps the only middle-order entry in this list, Glenn Maxwell started his T20 International career against Pakistan in 2012.

He didn't have success in his initial 13 innings where he amassed only 156 runs at an average of 14.18 and a strike rate of 138.05. However, it was his innings against his debut opponents, Pakistan which gave the impetus to his career.

He played a superb knock of 74 in just 33 deliveries hitting 6 sixes. Since then, Maxwell has scored 1153 runs in 43 innings at an average of 32.94 and a strike rate of 163.31; which is phenomenal!

Breaking it down further, Maxwell has had equal success on subcontinent and non-subcontinent pitches.

On Subcontinent pitches, he has scored 567 runs at an average of 37.8 and a strike rate of 174.5. On non-subcontinent pitches, he has scored 586 runs at an average of 29.3 and a strike rate of 153.8.

Maxwell's best innings came against Sri Lanka in 2016 when he opened the innings and smashed a brilliant 145 off just 65 deliveries with 9 sixes.

Right then, based on our methodology, Glenn Maxwell gets the following impact ratings.

Overall Impact Rating: 6.37/10

Subcontinent Rating - 3.31 , Non-Subcontinent Rating - 3.06

Performance of Glenn Maxwell in T20 Internationals

#4: Brendon McCullum

England v New Zealand - NatWest International Twenty20

At number 4, we have Brendon McCullum, the swashbuckling opener who is always remembered for his magnificent 158* off just 73 balls in IPL 2008 to start the tournament on fire.

However, Mccullum has been equally destructive in T20 Internationals too.

Overall, he has scored 2140 runs in 70 innings at an average of 35.7 and a strike rate of 140.04. He is second on the list of most runs in T20 Internationals.

His best knock came against Bangladesh in T20 World Cup 2012 where he smashed a superb 123 off just 58 balls with 11 fours and 7 sixes.

On sub-continent pitches, he has played only 15 innings, but has been equally good there too scoring 513 runs at an average of 36.6 and a strike rate of 144.5.

Based on our methodology, McCullum gets the following impact ratings.

Overall Impact Rating: 6.40/10

Subcontinent Rating - 1.61, Non-Subcontinent Rating - 4.79

Performance of Brendon McCullum in T20 Internationals

#3: Martin Guptill

At number 3, we have another Kiwi opener, Martin Guptill.

This should come as a surprise to many as not many would have thought that Martin Guptill would make it to the list of most impactful batsmen in T20 Internationals.

Well to be fair, Guptill has been exceptional in T20 Internationals; especially on non-subcontinent pitches.

On non-subcontinent pitches, Guptill has scored 1840 runs in 52 innings at an average of 40.9 and a strike rate of 138.55. His consistency too is excellent at 57.7%; second best to Kohli, who has 57.9%.

However, his non-subcontinent performance is just poor, scoring 431 runs in 21 innings at an average of 20.5 and a strike rate of 113.12.

His most memorable innings was against Australia in 2018 where he scored 105 in 54 balls with 6 fours and 9 sixes.

Owing to his better non-subcontinent performance, Martin Guptill gets the following impact ratings.

Overall Impact Rating: 6.67/10

Subcontinent Rating - 0.88, Non-Subcontinent Rating - 5.79

Performance of Martin Guptill in T20 Internationals

#2: Chris Gayle

New Zealand v West Indies - 1st T20

Well then, at number 2, we have the Universe Boss, Chris Gayle.

The Caribbean opener has been an epitome of entertainment in T20s. Overall, in T20 Internationals, he has scored 1607 runs in 52 innings at an average of 33.5 and a strike rate of 143.09. He has been excellent on both, subcontinent and non-subcontinent pitches. His overall consistency stands at 42.3%.

No one can forget his inaugural innings in T20 World Cup 2007, where he scored a brilliant 117 in 57 balls with 7 fours and 10 long sixes.

One interesting thing to note is that Gayle has a lot of single digit scores; almost 40% of his innings. However, he covers up with big scores in every second match he plays.

Right then, Gayle gets the following impact ratings.

Overall Impact Rating: 7.43/10

Subcontinent Rating - 1.85, Non-Subcontinent Rating - 5.58

Performance of Chris Gayle in T20 Internationals

#1: Virat Kohli

At number 1, we have the King, Virat Kohli.

To our surprise, we did not expect Kohli to dethrone Gayle considering how good Gayle has been.

So, what are the things that gave Kohli the title of the most impactful batsman in T20 Internationals?

The most important thing is consistency. He has an overall consistency of 60.3%; best among all batsmen with 500+ runs.

Further, he gets a consistency of 61.5% on subcontinent pitches and 57.9% on non-subcontinent pitches; both are the best among players with 500+ runs.

Speaking of numbers, he has 2102 runs in 58 innings at an exceptional average of 48.9 and a strike rate of 136.22. These are superb numbers to actually get him the title of the most impactful batsman in T20 Internationals.

Coming to his most memorable innings, there have been many, but according to us, his most famous innings came against Pakistan in ICC World T20 2016 where he smashed 55* off 37 balls in bowling friendly conditions to help chase a target of 119 in 19 overs for India.

In the same World Cup, he produced another memorable innings where he smashed 89* off just 47 balls against West Indies in the World T20 2016 Semifinal.

Right then, Kohli gets the following impact ratings.

Overall Impact Rating: 8.25/10

Subcontinent Rating - 5.51 , Non-Subcontinent Rating - 2.74

Performance of Virat Kohli in T20 Internationals

There are many other stand-out players in T20 Internationals like Aaron Finch, Colin Munro, Joe Root, who have been really good so far, but couldn't qualify based on our methodology due to fewer matches being played on subcontinent pitches.