The T20 format is mainly designed for batters. Each batter has a different role, from the top order to the lower order. The top order aims to give the team a fast start, the middle order provides stability, and the lower order finishes strongly.
It’s hard to say which position is the toughest to bat in T20 cricket because it depends on the match situation. However, the No. 4 position can be very challenging. The batter here must be adaptable, capable of anchoring the innings or finishing it.
For example, if the team is at 20/2, the No. 4 T20I batters needs to help build a competitive total. If the team is at 200/2, the same batter should use power hitting to push the score even higher.
Here are the top 10 No. 4 T20I batters of all time:
10. Kumar Sangakkara
Kumar Sangakkara is one of the best No. 4 T20I Batters ever. He is especially good in ODIs and Tests, but he has also played well in T20Is for Sri Lanka. Sangakkara, a left-handed batter, has played nearly 500 international matches, with 56 of those being T20Is.
In T20Is, he has scored 1382 runs. Of these, 675 runs came from batting at No. 4 in 25 innings, with an average of 35.52 and a highest score of 64*. Sangakkara played a key role in Sri Lanka’s win in the 2014 T20 World Cup. He was named Player of the Match in the final against India for his unbeaten 35-ball 52.
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9. AB de Villiers
Abraham Benjamin de Villiers is considered one of the most versatile No. 4 T20I Batters . With his immense talent and natural ability, he has captivated cricket fans around the world. The South African star, known as Mr. 360, has a wide range of shots that can confuse bowlers.
Batting in the middle-order, de Villiers has scored 1,672 runs in 78 T20I matches. Of these, 795 runs were scored while batting at No. 4, including four half-centuries in 33 innings, with an average of 30.57 and a strike rate of 137.78.
8. Eoin Morgan
Former England captain Eoin Morgan was a very dangerous middle-order batsman when he was at his best. Morgan played 115 T20I matches and scored 2,458 runs. Over half of these runs (1,315) came when he batted at number four. In this position, the left-hander averaged 26.83 with a strike rate of 139.30. He also hit eight half-centuries, with his highest score being 91.
7. JP Duminy
Jean-Paul Duminy is a great player for any team because of his stylish batting, useful off-spin bowling, and excellent fielding. He has played for South Africa in 81 T20Is, scoring nearly 2000 runs. Batting at the No. 4 spot in 34 innings, he scored 1021 runs with an average of 44.39 and a strike rate of 119.83, including six fifties and a top score of 96 not out.
6. Nicholas Pooran
Nicholas Pooran is a powerful batsman for the West Indies in limited-overs cricket. He can win games with his big hitting when he’s in good form. Pooran is now the top run-scorer for the West Indies in T20Is, passing the famous Chris Gayle.
So far, he has scored 1914 runs in 91 T20 matches. Batting at number four in 24 innings, Pooran has made 439 runs, including one half-century. Besides his batting, the 28-year-old is also a great fielder, off-spin bowler, and wicket-keeper. He is expected to be very important in the ongoing 2024 T20 World Cup.
5. Glenn Phillips
Glenn Phillips is a strong middle-order batsman who can finish matches quickly. He bats right-handed and keeps wickets. In 76 T20Is for New Zealand, he has scored 1874 runs. When he bats at No. 4, he has scored 1207 runs in 39 innings, averaging 37.71 with a high strike rate of 152.01. He has also hit seven half-centuries and two centuries in this position.
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4. Kevin Pietersen
Kevin Pietersen is considered one of England’s best batters ever. He played over 100 matches in ODIs and Tests, but only 36 T20Is. Even with fewer T20 matches, he played a big role for the team, especially in winning England’s first T20 World Cup in 2010, where he was named Player of the Series.
In T20Is, Pietersen scored 1176 runs. When batting at No. 4, he scored 209 runs in just 7 innings. His average in this position is 29.85 and he has a strike rate of 165.87. He scored one half-century and his highest score is 79.
3. Glenn Maxwell
Glenn Maxwell is one of the best match-winners in modern limited-overs cricket. On his good days, he can win matches almost by himself. He’s known for his unique and smooth ability to play unconventional shots, which can really trouble the other team. Maxwell has played more than 100 T20 international matches for Australia and has scored over 2400 runs.
He is one of just two players worldwide who have scored five centuries in T20 internationals. Four of these centuries were made when he batted at number four. As a right-handed batsman in this position, Maxwell has scored 1534 runs in 56 innings, averaging 33.34 with a strong strike rate of 158.63. He’s also hit five half-centuries in this role.
2. Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav is well-known for his unique shots and creative batting style, making him perfect for T20 cricket. Fans often compare him to the legendary AB de Villiers, who is nicknamed Mr. 360, because of his ability to score all around the field. He usually bats in the middle of the innings and is considered one of the most dependable players for both Mumbai Indians and Team India.
He made his debut for India in March 2021 after waiting for an opportunity for a while. Since then, he has played 63 matches in shorter formats and scored 2200 runs. He’s recognized as one of the best T20I batters globally. Batting at No. 4, the 33-year-old has scored 1454 runs in 37 innings, with an impressive average of 50.13 and a high strike rate of 171.05. He has also hit three centuries and four half-centuries during this time.
1. Yuvraj Singh
When you hear Yuvraj Singh’s name, cricket fans remember him for hitting six sixes in an over against Stuart Broad during the 2007 T20 World Cup. He’s considered one of the best players who could turn matches around in limited-overs cricket, and India was fortunate to have him. Yuvraj played a key role in India winning the 2007 and 2011 World Cups.
As an all-rounder, Yuvraj has scored over 1000 runs in 58 T20Is. Out of these, 791 runs were scored batting at number four in 30 innings. While playing in this crucial position, he has averaged 33.95 at a strike rate of 133.84. He’s also scored six half-centuries, with his highest score being 72 runs.
Here is the table with the No. 4 T20I Batters stats for the cricketers:
| Rank | Player | Matches | Innings | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | 50s | 100s | High Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yuvraj Singh | 58 | 30 | 791 | 26.36 | 136.38 | 8 | 0 | 77* |
| 2 | Suryakumar Yadav | 63 | 37 | 1454 | 50.13 | 171.05 | 4 | 3 | 117 |
| 3 | Glenn Maxwell | 100+ | 56 | 1534 | 33.34 | 158.63 | 5 | 3 | 145* |
| 4 | Kevin Pietersen | 36 | 7 | 209 | 29.85 | 165.87 | 1 | 0 | 79 |
| 5 | Glenn Phillips | 76 | 39 | 1207 | 37.71 | 152.01 | 7 | 2 | 108 |
| 6 | Nicholas Pooran | 91 | 24 | 439 | 21.85 | 142.89 | 1 | 0 | 74* |
| 7 | JP Duminy | 81 | 34 | 1021 | 44.39 | 119.83 | 6 | 0 | 96* |
| 8 | Eoin Morgan | 115 | 60 | 1315 | 26.83 | 139.30 | 8 | 0 | 91 |
| 9 | AB de Villiers | 78 | 33 | 795 | 30.57 | 137.78 | 4 | 0 | 79* |
| 10 | Kumar Sangakkara | 56 | 25 | 675 | 35.52 | 121.92 | 0 | 0 | 64* |
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