Top 5 T20I performances of the year

T20s are currently the flavour of the month. With the T20 World Cup fast approaching, teams are gearing up with their preparations for the coveted tournament. Unlike the 50-over World Cup, the T20 World Cup is a tournament that sees its fair share of surprises, which is why teams are keen on playing more matches before, in order to have some momentum before the World Cup.2015 witnessed a host of T20 matches and quite a few of them were thrillers.There were many splendid individual performances in the T20s played this year and let’s see which are those performances that make the cut in our top 5 T20 performances of the year:

#5 JP Duminy

JP Duminy produced a masterclass of T20 batting

2 October, 2015. It was the first T20 in the three match series between India and South Africa. The picturesque Dharmshala witnessed a thriller which went down the wire. Batting first, India posted a big score of 199 with the help of a free flowing century from Rohit Sharma. His 106 of 66 balls ensured India reached a score which was a challenging one for the Proteas.

Chasing the huge total, South Africa got off to a great start through AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla.When Amla departed, South Africa had posted 77 runs in 7.4 overs.When Duminy came out to bat at 93 for 2 in 9.5 overs, the task was still an uphill one.

Duminy played cautiously early on and then accelerated switly. His three sixes in an over of Axar Patel gave South Africa some much-needed momentum and he finished off the match in the last over, hitting a six of Sreenath Arvind. Duminy’s knock of 68 off 34 balls was a brilliant one under extreme pressure in away conditions.

#4 Shakib Al Hasan

Shakib Al Hasan produced a brilliant all-round performance

Shakib-Al-Hasan is arguably the biggest matchwinner for Bangladesh in the limited overs format. He can win matches for his team with his left arm spin bowling and he is equally capable of winning matches with the bat.

24 April, 2015. It was the only T20 between Bangladesh and Pakistan. Pakistan were batting first and their hopes for a big score were thwarted by some excellent bowling from the Bangladeshi bowlers. Shakib opened the bowling for Bangladesh and his miserly figures of 0 for 17 in four overs played a crucial role in restricting Pakistan to a manageable score of 141.

While chasing, Bangladesh lost Soumya Sarkar in the first over and Shakib came out at number three. His innings of 57 not out in 41 balls ensured that his team doesn’t suffer any hiccup in their chase and the score of 141 was overhauled by Bangladesh in just 16.2 overs.

It was a true all-round effort from one of the best limited-overs all-rounder in the world.

#3 David Wiese

David Wiese took a well deserved five-for

David Wiese is a pretty good utility player, a good seam bowler with lots of variations and a hard hitting batsman lower down the order. His magical performance came in the same series which saw some great knocks by Chris Gayle, Morne van Wyk and Faf du Plessis.

After losing the T20 series against West Indies, South Africa had posted 195 on the scoreboard batting first. Gayle’s absence gave the Proteas a little relief but the job was still not over considering the firepower the West Indian team boasts of in their batting lineup.

Wiese was the fifth bowler to be introduced by the Proteas and he broke the back of the West Indian lineup with figures of 5 for 23 in four overs. By dismissing four of the biggest hitters in the Windies ranks, in Lendl Simmons, Marlon Samuels, Dwayne Bravo and Darren Sammy, he set the game up for his side and ensured that South Africa registered their first win in the series and van Wyk’s hundred didn’t go in vain.

#2 Morne van Wyk

Morne van Wyk made a memorable hundred

14 January 2015, West Indies had already won the 3 match T20 series against the South Africans courtsey of two match-winning knocks from Chris Gayle. South Africans were in search of a consolition win and in absence of some obvious Proteas superstars, all eyes were on their replacements to set the stage on fire.

Morne van Wyk came out to open the innings for the Proteas and played one of the best T20 innings of the year. He scored 114 runs of 70 balls and single-handedly took the South Africans to a huge score of 195.

It was a great innings considering it was played by someone, who is not a regular in any format for his nation and would have been under tremendous pressure to perform. van Wyk’s innings ended up in a winning cause and saved the Proteas the embarrassment of a whitewash.

#1 Chris Gayle

Chris Gayle’s knock saw his side home

Anybody who watches IPL would know that when Chris Gayle is on song, spectators become fielders and fielders become spectators. When in mood, the mighty West Indian decimates opposition bowlers like they are some flies in his garden.

It was 11 January 2015, second T20 between South Africa and West Indies. First T20 was won by the West Indian team with the help of a wonderful knock from none other than Chris Gayle. Fans were expecting the southpaw to shine again and the stage was set for his knock after South Africa had posted 231 runs in the first innings with the help of a fantastic century from Faf du Plessis.

Gayle opened for West Indies and blazed away 90 runs off just 41 balls. With contributions from the middle order, West Indies managed to overhaul the massive target of 231 in 19.2 overs.

Gayle played a big role in what was one of the best chases in T20s. Whoever saw Gayle that day, would remember his innings for a long time.