Sportskeeda's T20I Batsman of the Year 2015 - counting down from No. 10 to No. 1

The popular conception that T20Is constitute mindless slam-bang cricket is undermined by the fact that good batsmen are starting to be consistent even in this format. Though an astronomical strike-rate is absolutely necessary in T20Is, consistency also goes hand in hand with it.Though batting averages remain low compared to ODIs, over the years, it has been found that batsmen with the best techniques are ultimately starting to be successful even in T20 cricket.This list contains some of the finest batsmen who have been at their most consistent and explosive best this year. Only international T20 matches have been taken into consideration.Here are the top 10 T20I batsmen for the year 2015.

#10 Brendon McCullum

The New Zealand captain always plays the game with a positive intent

Having re-defined a more aggressive brand of cricket for the Kiwis ever since he took over as the captain, Brendon McCullum's energy is often infectious at times. He has had a brilliant year as he led New Zealand to the semi-finals of the world cup this year.

His lone T20 innings against England this year brought him 35 runs. But it has to be conceded that it was an innings of rare delight and brilliant stroke-play. But he remains one of the most dangerous T20 batsmen in the world today having built his reputation in several T20 leagues around the world.

#9 AB de Villiers

AB de Villiers's innovative batting is a treat to watch for all cricket fans

Some call him Mr. 360. Others just call him Superman. There is nothing perhaps that AB de Villiers cannot do. He can fetch you from outside the off stump and make the ball disappear over fine leg for a six.

As has been proven during the tour to India, he is also one of the most loved cricketers in the world today. It was an absolute no-brainer that De Villiers would make it to this list. He has enjoyed decent form and scored 160 runs from 6 T20 matches at an average of 26.66. That's actually quite below par by his standards given the fact that he has been in great form in the IPL over the last few seasons.

#8 Tillakaratne Dilshan

Age seems to be no barrier to perform, for the Sri Lankan opener

Having enjoyed a brilliant world cup, it was believed that Dilshan would follow suit after the retirement of Sangakkara and Jayawardene. But Dilshan surprisingly chose to play on not only in ODIs but also in T20s. His superb form has only vindicated his decision.

Even after the world cup ended, Dilshan has continued to have a brilliant year both in ODIs and T20Is. In T20Is, he has scored 124 runs from 4 matches at an average of 31 this year. Dilshan is certainly showing the world that age does not matter even in T20 cricket if you are fit and scoring runs.

#7 Glenn Maxwell

Glenn Maxwell continues to be a fine T20 batsman

Though Glenn Maxwell has gone on to be a huge success as an ODI cricketer, it must not be forgotten that he was originally thought to be best cut out for T20 cricket. The most fearless and unpredictable batsman to bowl to, Maxwell is the sort of player who can literally give nightmares to a bowler.

His mindless aggression and amazing ability to clear the boundary makes him one of the top T20 batsman in the world today. Unsurprising, he remains a much sought after cricketer in the T20 leagues around the world. His lone T20 innings fetched him 44 runs this year.

#6 Eoin Morgan

Under Eoin Morgan, England stand a good chance of winning the 2016 T20I World Cup

In a young and ambitious England side that now boasts of a huge cesspool of talented T20 cricketers, Eoin Morgan has to be the most brilliant of the lot. Morgan is a rare combination of flair, aggression and stylish stroke-play -- a complete package with good captaincy skills to go with it.

Morgan has been in scintillating form in T20s this year having scored 138 runs from 4 matches at a healthy average of 46. He has shown time and again that he has a calm head on his shoulders and has the makings of a great captain. It is on him that England rest their hopes as they look to regain formidable glory.

#5 JP Duminy

JP Duminy's ability to finish has helped his team out of troublesome situations many a time

Even though they have AB de Villiers, the fact that JP Duminy is considered to be South Africa's finisher in the limited overs format is ample testimony to his credentials as a batsman. One loses count while thinking of the number of times Duminy's calm head has carried South Africa over the line in tight run-chases.

Duminy has always been a bit of a T20 specialist though not at the cost of performing poorly in ODIs. He has scored 129 runs from 5 T20I matches at an average of 64.50 this year. An average such as this proves what a brilliant and consistent cricketer he has become for South Africa.

#4 Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma is one of India's best players in the shorter versions of the game

Even when he mysteriously continues to fail in Test matches, Rohit Sharma has been a resounding success for India in the limited overs format of the game. The decision to move him to the top of the order has paid rich dividends as Sharma continues to pile up the runs.

His penchant for big stroke-play makes him one of the most dangerous batsmen in the world today. Rohit Sharma has scored 128 runs from 2 T20 matches this year at an impressive average of 64. This obviously includes his scintillating century against South Africa in the first T20 though it came in a losing cause.

#3 Chris Gayle

Chris Gayle is one of the most lethal batsmen in T20 cricket

When you think of T20 cricket, you think of Chris Gayle. Laid back, limited feet movement but strong bottom hand to make the ball travel miles. When Gayle hits the cricket ball, it stays hit forever.

Even when he found himself out of the West Indies team due to controversies, it was his T20 form in leagues around the world that kept him going. Over the years, Gayle has become one of the most lethal and impossible batsmen to bowl to when he is on song.

Gayle has scored 167 runs from 2 T20 innings at an average of 83.50 this year.

#2 Faf du Plessis

The South African captain scored a century in the T20 format this year

Having scored 180 runs from seven T20 innings this year, Faf du Plessis has proved that he can be a top-notch batsman across all formats of the game. His prolonged stint with the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL has definitely helped him grow as a T20 batsman.

Du Plessis knows how to anchor the innings while going for his shots at the same time. He is an essential cog in the wheel in the South African middle order. His ability to mix caution with aggression makes him one of the most reliable and dangerous T20 batsmen in the world today.

His 119 off 56 balls against the West Indies was a treat to watch. He is an absolute delight when he is in full flow.

#1 Aaron Finch

Aaron Finch has been consistent throughout the year in the shortest format of the game

Considered to be a plodder when he first burst onto the scene, Aaron Finch has surprised one and all by climbing to the top spot in the ICC T20I rankings this year. Consistency has been the biggest plus point for Finch as he has scored heavily in T20s this year.

Finch has scored an incredible 561 runs from 16 T20Is at an impressive average of 40.07 this year. He has a strange calming influence and has shown that there is plenty of room for true batsmanship even in T20 cricket. Finch knows how to rotate the strike and build an innings before he launches his final onslaught.

For his tremendous exploits in the year and his all-out aggression, Aaron Finch wins our vote for the Sportskeeda T20I Batsman of the Year 2015.