Unbeatable T20I XI of all time

When Australia and New Zealand played the first T20I match in 2005, Ricky Ponting had a word that "The idea of T20I has trembled". Now, the shortest cricket format is the most popular version of the sport.

Every cricketing nation prefers to schedule a T20I match in their series. Viewers show more interest towards the limited overs game as a result of excitement, pleasure produced by the format.

Till 2007, T20I was just a fan show in the series. ICC's decision to turn out a T20I tournament was the key. When South Africa hosted the opening tournament, team India were the winners. ICC scheduled five more meets and won enormous backing from cricket enthusiasts.

The format gained more attention with the likes of professional Leagues such as Indian Premier League, Big Bash League, Caribbean Premier League. Rather than just an entertaining floor, T20 tournaments became a revenue earning model. Many players bagged limelight courtesy their strike rate and economy.

Arguably, the T20I setup changed the face of cricket. There was a period in the game were defending the target of 250 plus was an easy task in ODIs, but as the T20 format gained popularity batsmen gained potential to chase down any target.

Although the game vociferated as the batsman's game, there are bowlers who attained more followers with their showing in the format.

Now, the T20I is not as young as it was. Since the beginning, a lot has changed, including the rules, scoring pattern and tactics. Some players managed to survive the format, but some failed to meet with teams expectations.

So, now we are going to pick 11 players cutout for T20's and can triumph over any team. The squad will have 11 players including five batsmen, two all-rounders, and four bowlers.

#1 David Warner(Opener)

One of the most talented openers in the T20I history with extraordinary stats in chasing. When Warner is at the crease, targets were just numbers for his side. His versatility in all the cricketing format makes him one of the best player in the sport.

From his 70 T20I outings, the southpaw has scored 1792 runs at a 140.11 strike rate. Since his debut in IPL, Warner played 114 matches and added 4014 runs to his stat. His 77 run display against South Africa at Johannesburg in 2016 is one of the notable showings from the left-hander. Chasing the 205 target was a cakewalk for the Bull in the match.

Warner was one of the most respected cricketers on the field and off the field. However, a ball-tampering controversy slapped him with a 1-year ban. Nevertheless, considering Warner's aggressive batting and performance under pressure makes him the best batsmen in the T20I format.

#2 Chris Gayle(Opener)

It is unfair to pick a list of best in T20Is without this Caribbean giant. Since hitting the first ever T20I ton, Gayle astonished cricketing world with his record making T20 bouts. The six- foot tall Gayle amazed in every T20 tournament.

Gayle played 56 T20Is and scored 1607 runs. His strike rate above 140 in the format makes him as one of the ideal contenders for any limited overs match.

It’s a no-brainer, Gayle is one of the greatest big hitters in T20Is. He is talented enough to reach any big total on his day. Gayle is having an immense treasury of T20 records.

#3 Virat Kohli(Middle Order)

It is hard to think of a team without this run machine. Kohli's hard work, dedication and passion molded him as the finest batsmen in the World.

Kohli's transformation from an accumulator to an aggressive player in the most demanding of situations has made him the best in the format. Nicknamed Chiku, Kohli is the man for pressure situations. His scoring stat while run chasing justifies the previous statement.

Whether it is IPL or international T20Is, Kohli's is balanced. He is a reliable batsman at No.3 position.

#4 Eoin Morgan(Middle Order)

Eoin Morgan is one of the only few players who played International matches for two nations. He was a former member of Ireland team and later represented the English side.

When it comes to the middle order, Morgan is a specialist batsmen in the position. The Southpaw led the English side to victory in many occasions with his solid batting. Morgan's performance in the professional T20 leagues helped him to get a white ball specialist rank.

Morgan's creative and free-stroking batting has made him one of the best in the limited overs cricket. His calmness during pressure situation and excellent striking skills makes Morgan a vital cog in any T20I side.

#5 Jos Buttler(Middle Order, Wicket Keeper)

Another English cricketer who is known for his power hitting abilities and calmness. Buttler was a prolific run scorer in the domestic circuit and it helped him get a spot in the national team. His aggressive batting made Buttler a key player in white ball cricket.

The 27-year-old wicket keeper batsmen showcased some remarkable performance in T20Is for his side. An unbeaten 66 against Sri Lanka in the 2016 World Cup was one of the best in the format from the right-hander.

Buttler has decent stats with the gloves too. Buttler deserves the spot in the XI for his talent and the X-factor he brings to the table.

#6 Shahid Afridi(All- rounder)

Afridi was splendid in international cricket ever since his debut. When a teenaged Afridi debuted for Pakistan, no one ever expected the aggressive 37-ball ton show. Since that, Afridi became a crowd puller.

Afridi's eccentric batting display invited plenty of criticisms. Although his presence in the crease was entertainment to the viewers, throwing away his wicket was a concern for the Pakistan side. However, Afridi is maintaining the same batting manner until now.

Nicknamed Lala, Afridi is one of the best all-rounders in the T20I format. His splendid cameo's and quickish leg-breaks were enough to decimate the opponents. From 99 T20I matches, 'Boom Boom' struck 1416 runs at a stunning 150.0 strike rate. His 98 wickets at 6.63 economy highlights his effectiveness as an allrounder in T20Is.

#7 Sunil Narine(All-rounder)

When it comes to economy and wicket-taking abilities, Sunil Narine is a vital cog in T20Is. The right-arm off-spinner will be one of the first options when it comes to spin department in the white ball cricket.

Narine struggled a lot in the beginning of his career. His bowling action invited oodles of criticisms from ICC moreover his career was at stake. Narine had to change his bowling action. The new bowling action eased his position in the team. In the subsequent years, Narine established himself as one of the lethal spinners in T20Is.

With his new move, Sunil continued to bamboozle batsmen in the Indian Premier League. After he bought for Kolkata Knight Riders for a whopping USD 700,000, Narine didn't have to look back. His recent promotion to the KKR's top order has made him as an aggressive all-rounder.

#8 Sohail Tanvir(Fast Bowler)

Sohail Tanvir- a name that's formidable in T20I cricket. Tanvir entered into the T20I arena as a replacement for Shoaib Akhtar and justified the decision with his extraordinary performance in the coming years.

The inaugural IPL season was a landmark tournament for Sohail Tanvir. With his uncanny deliveries, Sohail was the leading wicket-taker (22 wickets) in the season. Still, that was the only staging by a Pakistan cricketer in the IPL.

Tanvir's bowling variations and unusual delivery stride make him as one of the best picks in the bowling department.

#9 Rashid Khan(Spinner)

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One and only IPL millionaire from Afghanistan! Rashid Khan was splendid in the limited overs cricket from last few years. The right arm leg break bowler made his International debut at the age of 17 and established himself as one of the best spinners in the shortest format.

Rashid's quick leg breaks and accurate googlies have been deadly for the batters. Furthermore, Rashid is a great athlete on the field and is a safe fielder.

An economy of 5.94 highlights the entail of Rashid in T20Is. It is essential to have a full-time leg-spinner in any T20I squad which will be safe in the hands of Rashid.

#10 Bhuvneshwar Kumar(Fast Bowler)

When it comes to death over specialists, Bhuvneshwar Kumar will have an assured spot in any T20 XI. The Uttar Pradesh pacer first caught the eye when he dismissed the great Sachin Tendulkar for a duck in domestic first-class cricket.

His yorkers and knuckle ball have been a nightmare for the batsmen all over the world. Back to back IPL success and spectacular international showings helped Bhuvi get a permanent spot in the national side.

Bhuvneshwar is probably at the peak of his powers and his good performances in high pressure situations is key to add him into the best T20 XI.

#11 Dale Steyn (fast bowler)

Arguably the greatest pacer in the current generation, Steyn is one of the powerful weapons in South Africa's pace battery. His genuine pace and variations with the ball have baffled many a batsman.

Steyn's ability to swing the white ball consistently at pace makes him a lethal weapon. With an economy of just over 6.5, Steyn has established himself as one of the key bowlers in the death overs. Steyn has notched up 58 wickets in T20Is along with 92 wickets in IPL.

The 35-year-old Steyn has been plagued by injuries in recent times. Body permitting, Steyn can still