March 26 saw the first game of IPL 15 being played between two of the most successful teams of IPL Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings. The match saw one of all-time greats MS Dhoni scoring a magnificent half-century. There have always been debates on who has been the greatest T20 player ever. However, the dynamic nature of T20 cricket doesn’t allow you to choose only one great of the game. The game has produced several legends and picking the most effective one has been nothing less than finding a needle in a haystack.
Recently Betway, the betting giants made a panel consisting of a few of the sharpest brains in Cricket and asked for their opinion on the GOATs of T20 Cricket. The panel included Betway Ambassador Kevin Pieterson, Commentators Ian Bishop and Aakash Chopra, as well as South African stars Rassie van der Dussen and Lungi Ngidi. The panelist divided the discussion into five different categories and came up with five different names who have left a mark on the game of T20 cricket.
The most reliable T20 run-scorer of all time
The discussion started with the most reliable T20 batsman. Most of the panelists agreed on the name of Virat Kohli. The player has been one of the most consistent figures in the game and has been one of the few players to maintain an average of over 50 in T20 cricket. The ‘run machine’ impressed all the panelists.
Former KKR opener Aakash Chopra said “He (Virat Kohli) actually changed the perception completely that 30 is the new 50 in T20 cricket. He has been averaging 50 for a long time.”
Who is the most effective six-hitter in T20 Cricket?
Probably the easiest discussion made by the panelists. Everyone agreed on the name of Chris Gayle. The Caribbean developed a unique style of batting often known as ‘Gayle Storm.’ Chris Gayle has been the player who has had the most impact on T20 Cricket. No other batsman has come even close to his numbers in the format.
Aakash Chopra has said that no one could come close to Chris Gayle.
According to Ngidi “looking towards Gayle from the uppermost point of your run-up appears as if he’s standing just next to you. One hit and you’re off the track”.
Ian Bishop opined that Gayle contributed to the evolution of the method T20 batsmen played. This is why he believes Gayle is the king of T20 batting.
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Which Mystery Spinner is the hardest to conquer?
The panelists unanimously agreed on the best mystery spinner in the history of IPL as well. The Betway Brand Ambassador and one of the best players of spin of his time Kevin Pieterson argued that Sunil Narine is the spinner that was most difficult to deal with due to his ‘variations’. Pieterson revealed that he was clueless about where the ball will move after landing and is always in a dilemma whenever Narine is bowling.
Aakash Chopra described the effectiveness of Sunil Narine in a different manner altogether. He shared his views in his own unique style. The former Indian opener said
“It’s as if he’s moving to a different country. It could be that I go to China and everyone speaks in a different dialect and I am completely lost. There is no way to answer the question you’ve been asked. A person bowls a first super over. It takes some effort”
Ian Bishop also applauded his own countryman and said “it’s really unfair” for the batsmen the way he spins the bowl.
Top Death Bowler in T20 History
In the realm of Death over Bowlers, there is no other name than Lasith Malinga. All the panelists unanimously agreed to this and made some very valid points to prove his dominance in the domain.
Van der Dussen recalled the moment he was confronted by Malinga’s over and was clueless while facing the Sri Lanka pacers whereas Ngidi described his yorkers as ‘absolutely crucial and dangerous.’
Aakash Chopra could not see beyond the last over of the 2020 IPL final where his lethal bowling and unplayable slow yorkers sealed the deal for Mumbai Indians. His confidence and exceptional bowling have been the main protagonist in several titles won by Mumbai Indians.
Read Also: Top Five Best All-rounders in T20I History
Best Fielder in the history of T20s:
The legendary West Indian Ian Bishop was very clear while making his choice. There is no better player in the world than AB de Villiers in any part of the field as per the former Caribbean demolisher.
Rassie Van Dussen was also pretty clear when making his choice. The South African had a fanboy moment when talking about his compatriot. He mentioned “some of the run-outs and catches that He (de Villiers) did to his victims were absolutely amazing”
Another Proteas, Ngidi, was also of the same view. He mentioned that the impact that De Villiers had on the field uplifted the game of other players in his vicinity. He often increased the standard of other players’ games.
The panelists discussed some of the greatest legends from cricket’s history who have made their mark through cricket’s T20 format.
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