From Virat Kohli's 82 vs Pakistan to Yuvraj Singh's 58 vs England, Look at Top Ten Finest Knocks in ICC T20 World Cup History Ahead of 2024 Edition
In the inaugural edition, Yuvraj played two extremely fine knocks, including a 70 in 30 against Australia in the semis. But this one stands out as he smashed Stuart Broad for six sixes in an over, becoming the first-ever player to do so in T20Is. India reached 218/4 thanks to this knock filled with three fours and seven sixes. England fell 18 runs short at 200/6.
The upcoming edition of ICC T20 World Cup will start in West Indies and USA from June 1. Since the last decade, Virat Kohli has been the backbone of India's batting line-up. There is no doubt that his records at the ICC events are spectacular. Ahead of the tournament, let us look at some of the finest knocks in tournament history. ICC T20 World Cup 2024 Complete Schedule For Free PDF Download Online: Get All Fixtures, Time Table With Match Timings in IST and Venue Details of Men's Twenty20 Cricket WC.
Virat Kohli (82* against Pakistan during 2022 T20 WC)
Starting off this list in a tournament-wise manner, Virat's epic knock at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) tops the list. From 31/4 in a run-chase of 160, Virat built the innings ball by ball with Hardik Pandya, guiding India to a memorable win with 82* in 53 balls, with six fours and two sixes.
Glenn Phillips (104 against Sri Lanka, T20 WC 2022)
In an important group-stage game against Sri Lanka, Kiwis were restricted to 15/3 at one point. Glenn Phillips launched an unbelievable counter-attack despite the fall of wickets at the other end, scoring 104 in 64 balls, with 10 fours and four sixes to take NZ to a match-winning score of 167/7. SL was bundled out for just 102 runs in 19.2 overs.
Chris Gayle (100* against England, T20 World Cup 2016)
Chasing a total of 183 runs, Gayle played a power-packed innings and helped the Windies chase it down in 18.1 overs. He scored his century in just 47 balls, the fastest-ever in the tournament history, with five fours and 11 sixes.
Joe Root (83 against South Africa, T20 WC 2016)
England was tasked with chasing 230 runs or risking losing their chance to qualify further in this game against the Proteas. Root played a masterclass knock of 83 in 44 balls, with six fours and four sixes, keeping up with the required rate, stabilising the other end. England won by two wickets with two balls left.
Marlon Samuels (85* vs England, T20 WC 2016 finals)
Perhaps the finest knock played in a T20 WC final. Chasing 156 runs against England in a packed Eden Gardens, WI was 11/3 at one point. Samuels stabilised the innings and stayed till the end, scoring 85* in 66 balls, with seven fours and two sixes. WI won by four wickets and two balls left.
Alex Hales (116* against Sri Lanka,T20 WC 2014)
In the group stage game against Sri Lanka, the England opener played one of the most destructive knocks ever in tournament history, making 116* in 64 balls, with 11 fours and six sixes and almost single-handedly chasing down 190 with four balls and six wickets left.
Brendon McCullum (123 vs Bangladesh, T20 WC 2012)
The tournament's highest-ever score. In a group stage game during the 2012 tournament, McCullum blasted 123 in just 58 balls, with 11 fours and seven sixes, to help NZ reach 191/3 and Bangladesh was restricted to 132/8.
Michael Hussey (60* against Pakistan, T20 WC 2010 semis)
Australia's premier finisher played one of his finest knocks here. With 18 needed from the last over while chasing 192 runs, Hussey smashed Saeed Ajmal for three sixes and a four to end the chase with a ball and three wickets left. Hussey made 60* in just 24 balls, with three fours and six sixes.
Yuvraj Singh (58 against England, T20 WC 2007)
In the inaugural edition, Yuvraj played two extremely fine knocks, including a 70 in 30 against Australia in the semis. But this one stands out as he smashed Stuart Broad for six sixes in an over, becoming the first-ever player to do so in T20Is. India reached 218/4 thanks to this knock filled with three fours and seven sixes. England fell 18 runs short at 200/6. From Virat Kohli to Rohit Sharma, Look at India’s Five Best Performers in ICC T20 World Cup 2024.
Gautam Gambhir (75 against Pakistan, T20 WC 2007 final)
In a battle between arch-rivals, India kept losing wickets, but Gambhir kept the other end steady with his 75 in 54 balls, with eight fours and two sixes. He took India to 157/5 and Pakistan fell five short of it in a thriller, with Misbah Ul Haq (43* in 38 balls, with four sixes) scooping the ball to Sreesanth with six runs left to win. Joginder Sharma got the match-winning scalp.