T20 cricket is a shorter and faster format than Test matches. In T20I, each team plays for 20 overs, aiming to score as many runs as possible. It’s like a bowler’s nightmare because batsmen go all out to hit boundaries. However, bowlers have adapted to survive. The International Cricket Council (ICC) even awarded the International T20 cricketer of the decade to leg spinner Rashid Khan. T20 cricket is loved by people from all walks of life.
As we approach two T20I World Cups, fans eagerly anticipate seeing which captain will lead their team to victory. Captaincy plays a crucial role in determining the game’s outcome. One poor decision, and your team could end up on the losing side.
Here are Top 5 T20I captains in World Cricket Right now:
5. Babar Azam (Pakistan)
From 2007 to 2010, Pakistan was really good at the shortest version of cricket. They won the T20 World Cup in 2009 and had some famous players. They did well consistently, reaching the final of the first T20 World Cup in 2007 and the semifinals in 2010. But after 2010, when some big players retired, their performance dropped.
Then a new star emerged for Pakistan, Babar Azam. He’s one of the best batsmen in the world, just behind India’s Virat Kohli. In 44 T20 matches, Babar scored more than 1681 runs, with an average of 50.94. And he’s still early in his career.
As a captain, he led Pakistan to six wins in the 2019-2020 season. Under him, Pakistan won 66.66% of their matches. He’s been a decent captain so far. The matches they lost under him were mostly because the team didn’t play well. Because of his good win percentage, he ranks fifth among all captains.
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4. Aaron Finch (Australia)
The cricket world was shocked by the cheating scandal in 2018. Australia’s team was in chaos and needed a strong leader. Aaron Finch stepped up and became that leader. He’s helped the team come together and play really well.
Finch has done great as both a player and a leader. He’s scored a lot of runs and has a really high strike rate, showing how good he is at hitting the ball hard and scoring fast. He’s also set a high score of 172 runs in one game, which inspired other players to do better.
Finch is considered one of the best players in the world. As a captain, he’s led Australia in many matches, winning a good number of them. Considering the tough competition they face, his win percentage is pretty good. That’s why he’s seen as one of the top captains in the game.
3. Kane Williamson (New Zealand)
In the early days of T20 International (T20I) cricket, many believed that Test specialists wouldn’t thrive in these fast-paced conditions. Their ability to strike the ball might not meet T20I standards. However, they were proven wrong! New Zealand’s captain, Kane Williamson, has excelled in the shortest format of the game.
Williamson has played 62 T20I matches for New Zealand, consistently contributing with the bat by scoring 1723 runs. His strike rate of 125.04 makes him a valuable asset, capable of adjusting his approach as needed. His highest score in T20Is is 95.
As captain, Williamson has led New Zealand in 44 T20I matches, winning 20 of them. Keep in mind that these matches were often played in challenging conditions against top-quality opponents. Despite this, Williamson ranks third in terms of captaincy success
2. Virat Kohli (India)
After MS Dhoni’s captaincy, Virat Kohli faced immense pressure whenever India lost a match. Leading a team with the support of 1.2 billion people is no easy task! However, Kohli defied the odds and performed exceptionally well. Undoubtedly, he is one of the most complete batsmen in the modern era.
As the ICC Cricketer of the decade, Kohli has excelled in all formats since 2010. With averages over 50 in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is, he has been the backbone of India’s batting lineup. In 84 T20I matches, Kohli has scored 2928 runs at an average of 50.48. When we consider averages across all three formats, he is currently the world’s best batsman.
Despite criticism for his IPL performance, Kohli’s T20I captaincy record is impressive. He has led India to 24 victories in 40 matches, boasting a win percentage of 65.78. His contributions make him the second-ranked captain on this list!
ALSO READ: The five greatest T20I batsmen of all time
1. Eoin Morgan (England)
After the 2015 World Cup, the English national cricket team faced an identity crisis. Their morale was shattered, and they needed someone to lift their spirits. Despite a poor stint as captain, Eoin Morgan stepped up and continued leading the team. Although West Indies narrowly won the T20 World Cup in the final over, England had discovered their perfect team combination.
As a result, they went on to win their first ODI World Cup. Morgan has played 97 T20I matches, amassing 2278 runs—a remarkable feat in the shortest format. His strike rate of 138.99 is impressive, especially considering he bats in the middle order. Beyond his batting prowess, Morgan has been the heart of the English squad!
Under his captaincy, England has secured 31 T20I victories out of 54 matches. Morgan ranks third in the list of most matches as a T20I captain, with the legendary MS Dhoni leading the way. The credit for England’s resurgence after the 2015 World Cup debacle belongs to Eoin Morgan.
Thanks to his leadership, the English team has become a formidable force in world cricket today. Therefore, Morgan is rightfully considered the best T20I captain in the world!
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