Top 10 most destructive batsmen in T20 cricket at present

T20 cricket has taken the world by storm and is undoubtedly the most popular format of the game. Fans absolutely love this format of the game, and made it a money-spinner. T20 has also revolutionized the sport of cricket and has increased the excitement in the game. The main reason for an increase in number of boundaries, high scores and economy rates for bowlers has been T20 cricket.

There are many T20 leagues around the world, with a few of them being, Indian Premier League, Big Bash and Bangladesh Premier League. With an increase in popularity of the sport, the monstrous scores and number of power hitters will also increase, as this format is tailor-made for big hitters.

As such, many players have improvised their playing style to keep pace with the changes taking place. There are many power hitters in the modern world, but in this article we shall rank the top 10 most explosive batsmen in the shortest format of the game.

Note: This list is made up of pure batsmen (including batting all-rounders) only. Genuine all-rounders have been excluded.

#10 Alex Hales

West Indies v England - 4th One Day International

England's back-up opener in the 50 over format, Alex Hales is known to be a clean striker of the ball. He might be a back-up in the one day format, but he is a first-choice pick in the T20I XIs. He is a unique batsman, in the sense that most of his boundaries are hit on the off-side, whereas, batsmen generally prefer the leg-side shots.

He has proven his mettle in various T20 leagues all around the world and is always a shock when he goes unsold in IPL auctions. The Middlesex-born batsman has scored 5,478 runs in 198 innings at an average of 29.61 and has a strike rate of 143.47. He has also blasted three centuries in his career. He has been a key part of England's revolution in recent times and with such stats, there is no doubting his hitting prowess.

#9 Aaron Finch

BBL - Semi Final: Renegades v Sixers

The Australian limited overs captain is certainly a devastating batsman, and there is no cricket fan who doesn't know about it. Aaron Finch is a reputed bit hitter and has played many scintillating knocks over the years. He is known for scoring hundreds in the T20 format and has amassed massive scores of 156 and 172 in T20Is against England and Zimbabwe, respectively. He has had six 100+ scores in T20 cricket, which speaks volumes about his talent.

The 32-year-old has scored 7,835 runs in 248 innings at an average of 35.45 and at a strike rate of 142.5. He might not have form on his side, but it is only a matter of time before he starts clearing the boundary ropes with ease.

#8 Evin Lewis

ICC World XI v West Indies - T20

Often touted as the next Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis can be as destructive as the 'Universe Boss' himself. The Trinidadian is known for hitting big sixes and excels in T20 cricket, which makes it clear as to why he has been compared with Gayle.

He has scored two T20I centuries against India already and has four in his T20 career. He has scored 3,607 runs in 120 innings at an average of 31.92 and has a strike rate of 144.68.

#7 David Warner

Barbados Tridents v St Lucia Stars - 2018 Hero Caribbean Premier League

He might not have played a whole lot of competitive cricket over the last 12 months, but he is still a good enough batsman. He played in the Caribbean Premier League, Global T20 Canada and Bangladesh Premier League, till he injured himself in the BPL. He showed some decent form in those tournaments and also got runs at a good strike rate.

Before being suspended, Warner was easily one of the most aggressive batsmen in cricket and was considered to be in the same bracket as the 'Fab Four. He has scored 8,111 runs in 258 innings at an average of 35.28 and boasts of a strike rate of 142.07. He has scored six centuries, and his absence has hurt the Australian team severely.

#6 Jason Roy

West Indies v England - 1st One Day International

The English powerhouse is pretty much an English version of David Warner. Over the past 15 months or so, Jason Roy has formed one half of England's opening combo and has played exceptionally well. He is known to be one of the most aggressive batsmen in the world and is a game-changer at the top of the order.

He has scored four centuries and has a blistering strike rate of 145.77. He has scored 4,882 runs in 188 innings at an average of 27.27.

#5 Colin Munro

New Zealand v Sri Lanka - ODI Game 2

The New Zealander's hitting prowess in the shortest version of the game is no secret and he has demolished bowlers time and again. Colin Munro might not have found success with his country in ODIs, but he is a completely different beast in the T20 format. He is known for his switch hits and reverse sweeps and is the perfect T20 batsman.

The 31-year-old has scored four centuries in the 5,139 runs he has scored in his career. He also has an average of 29.87 and hammers bowlers at a strike rate of 147.24.

#4 Jos Buttler

West Indies v England - 4th One Day International

Was there ever a doubt regarding his inclusion in the list? Jos Buttler is without a doubt the best keeper-batsman at present and is one of the most reliable finishers out there. He is as calm as anybody can be and has the ability to play all kinds of shots, from muscling it straight down the ground to cheekily playing the scoop shot.

The Rajasthan Royals' batsman is also a superb opener in this format of the game, aside from his already known finishing abilities. The Sydney Thunder batsman has scored 5,397 runs in 220 innings at an average of 30.15 and has a strike rate of 144.03.

#3 AB De Villiers

2018 Mzansi Super League: Tshwane Spartans v Paarl Rocks

Mr. 360 has carved out a reputation for being one of the most versatile cricketers ever. He has the ability to do anything from anywhere, whether it be coming in and hitting a six of his very first ball, or scoring a century of just 30 balls, he has done it all. AB De Villiers might have retired from international cricket in 2018, but he still gives bowlers nightmares in T20 leagues.

The South African has scored 7,363 runs in 255 innings at an average of 36.09 and boasts of a strike rate in excess of 145. The RCB player also has four centuries to his name. He might be 35 years old, but he never stops entertaining us fans, proving that age is just a number.

#2 Rohit Sharma

New Zealand Black Caps v India - International T20 Game 2

RoHit-Man Sharma is another batman who can change games within minutes. He is an impact player and a good performance from him generally leads to a victory for the team. He is known for scoring outrageously massive hundreds and has three double centuries in ODIs. Furthermore, he has six centuries in T20 cricket.

The Nagpur-born player has scored 7,795 runs in 286 innings at an average of 32.34. He also has a strike rate of 133.7, and hence, there is no doubting his place on the list.

#1 Glenn Maxwell

India v Australia - T20I: Game 2

Glenn Maxwell clinches the number one spot on the list as there aren't many batsmen who can compete with him when it comes to explosiveness. He is a lethal batsman and on his day, he can wreak havoc and take the game away from the opposition. 'Big Show' has put up many enthralling shows for cricket fans over the years and can score his runs at a heart-stopping rate.

He has a terrific strike rate of 154.63 and has maintained that strike rate for 225 innings. He has scored 5,222 runs at an average of 27 and has also smashed three centuries. He also has a top score of 145 and has a wide range of shots. He has also built an image for being able to take on the best bowlers in the business. A prime example of that was his mauling of the much-feared Jasprit Bumrah.