Are you a cricket lover? Then you must be obsessed with the T20 World Cup, right? Cricket lovers and their obsession with the T20 World Cup cannot be explained. The T20 World Cup occurs every two years and captivates the worldwide audience with its unbeatable talents and performances. So, what are the names of the top performers of Every T20 World Cup?
Throughout these years, the tournament has witnessed the rise of outstanding players who have made their name in cricket history. But who are these players? Let’s explore the top performers of each T20 World Cup who surprised the audience with their performances.
ICC T20 World Cup 2007
Host: South Africa
Starting Date: 11th Sept 2007
Ending Date: 24th Sept 2007
The first T20 World Cup took place in Johannesburg, South Africa. The final match was played between India and Pakistan. India, led by MS Dhoni, won the first T20 World Cup in 2007 with five runs.
Top Performers
Umar Gul from Pakistan took 13 wickets in 7 innings. He bowled 27.4 overs with an economy rate of 5.60. His best bowling performance in a single innings was four wickets for 25 runs. Overall, he played a vital role in taking Pakistan to the finals. Mathew Hayden from Australia scored 265 runs at an impressive average of 88.33. His highest score in a single innings was an unbeaten 73 runs, proving to be a key player for his team.
Many other players, like Shahid Afridi, Gautam, and RP Singh, made a great impact on the team’s fate. Shahid Afridi was Player of the Series for his outstanding all-rounder performance. He bowled 12 wickets and scored 91 runs at a good strike rate.
ICC T20 World Cup 2009
Host: England
Starting Date: 5 June, 2009
Ending Date: 21 June, 2009
Overall, 12 teams participated in the tournament, playing 27 matches. The final match was between Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Pakistan, led by Younis Khan, won by eight wickets.
Top Performers
Tillakaratne Dilshan was declared the Man of the 2009 series. He scored an amazing 317 runs in just seven matches at an average of 63.40, declaring himself a main player for Sri Lanka. Umar Gul again became the highest wicket-taker in this series, taking 13 wickets in seven matches. His role in his team’s win cannot be ignored.
ICC T20 World Cup 2010
Host: West Indies
Starting Date: 30 April, 2010
Ending Date: 16th May 2010
The third series of the T20 World Cup kicked off with the same previous format. England defeated Australia by seven wickets in the final. Kevin Pietersen was declared the Man of the Match for his amazing performance, leading England to victory.
Top Performers
Mahela Jayawardene played six matches for the Sri Lankan team, scoring 302 runs with a strike rate of 159.79. He hit 29 fours and 11 sixes during these matches. Due to his remarkable performances, Sri Lanka made it to the semi-finals. Dirk Nannes is a fast bowler who took 14 wickets in the matches. His amazing performance undoubtedly led the Australian team to the finals.
All the players of the winning side played outstanding cricket. The winning team’s Kevin Pietersen was named the player of the series for his outstanding batting. He scored 248 runs in the tournament to take his team to the first ICC World Cup trophy.
ICC T20 World Cup 2012
Host: Sri Lanka
Starting Date: 18 September 2012
Ending Date: 7 October 2012
The successful fourth edition of T20 started with a bang, with four groups of 3 teams each. In the final match, West Indies, led by Darren Sammy, defeated Srilanka by 36 runs and defended their first T20 World Cup trophy.
Top Performers
Shane Watson from Australia played six innings and scored 249 runs at an average of 49.80, with a strike rate of 150.00. His highest score was 72. He scored three half-centuries. Watson hit 19 fours and 15 sixes during these innings, leading the team to the semi-finals and becoming one of the Top Performers of Every T20 World Cup.
Ajantha Mendis of Sri Lanka took 15 wickets in six innings, with an impressive average of 9.80 and an economy rate of 6.12. His best bowling figures were 6/8, achieved at a strike rate of 9.6. During these innings, Mendis secured one four-wicket haul and one five-wicket haul. His performance led the team to the finals.
These two players were declared the highest run-scorer and wicket-taker, respectively. However, the top performer came from another side and played a true allrounder’s role. Shane Watson became the player of the series for this World Cup. He scored 249 runs and also took 11 wickets.
ICC T20 World Cup 2014
Host: Bangladesh
Starting Date: 16 March, 2014
Ending Date: 6 April, 2014
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2014 witnessed talented players and performances. The 2014 T20 started with 16 teams participating in the tournament. A total of 35 matches were played in the series. The final match saw Sri Lanka beating India and defending their first title.
Top Performers
Virat Kohli, the most famous player in India, played six matches. He scored 319 runs at an impressive average of 106.33 and a strike rate of 129.14. His highest score was 77 runs in the series. He achieved four half-centuries. Kohli hit 24 fours and ten sixes throughout these innings. Imran Tahir from South Africa participated in five matches, securing 12 wickets at an economical rate of 6.55, with an average of 10.91. His best bowling figures stood at 4/21, achieving a strike rate of 10.0. Tahir managed one four-wicket haul, LEADING South Africa to the semi-finals.
Ahsan Malik of the Netherlands took 12 wickets in 7 innings. His economy rate of 6.68 and average of 13.83 showed his class. His standout performance came with bowling figures of 5/19, attained at a strike rate of 12.4. Malik secured one five-wicket haul. Virat Kohli was judged the player of the series for his brilliant batting performances throughout the tournament and registered his name in the Top Performers of Every T20 World Cup list.
ICC T20 World Cup 2016
Host: India
Starting Date: 8 March 2016
Ending Date: 3 April 2016
A South Asian Country hosted the sixth T20 World Cup. The tournament showcased thrilling matches and standout performances. West Indies defended their second T20 World Cup title by defeating England with four wickets.
Top Performers
Tamim Iqbal, from Bangladesh, played six matches. He scored 295 runs with an average of 73.75 and a strike rate of 142.51. His best score was 103 not out, and he made one century and one half-century. In these matches, he hit 24 fours and 14 sixes. Although he performed well, Virat Kohli took another Player of the Series award with 273 runs and one wicket.
Mohammad Nabi, from Afghanistan, took 12 wickets in seven innings. He bowled 27 overs with an economy rate of 6.07 and an average of 13.66. His best bowling performance was 4/20, achieved at a strike rate of 13.4. Nabi secured one four-wicket haul but no five-wicket hauls.
ICC T20 World Cup 2021
Host: UAE and Oman
Starting Date: 17 October, 2021
Ending Date: 14th November 2021
The seventh edition of the World Cup saw 16 teams participating and 45 matches played. The series was full of excitement and suspense. In the final game, Australia beat New Zealand to defend its first T20 World Cup title.
Top Performers
Babar Azam of Pakistan scored a total of 303 runs in six matches. It was the breakthrough World Cup for Babar to become one of the best batsmen in the world, as he became the first Pakistani captain to win a World match against India. He scored this at an impressive average of 60.60 and a strike rate of 126.25. His highest score was 70, and he achieved four half-centuries. Azam hit 28 fours and five sixes, leading Pakistan to the semi-finals and becoming one of the Top Performers of Every T20 World Cup .
Wanindu Hasaranga from Sri Lanka took 16 wickets in eight matches. He bowled 30 overs with an economy rate of 5.20 and an average of 9.75. His best bowling performance was 3/9, achieved at a strike rate of 11.2. On the winning side, David Warner was named Player of the Series for the 289 runs he scored in the tournament.
ICC T20 World Cup 2022
Host: Australia
Starting Date: 16 October 2022
Ending Date: 13 November 2022
The 2022 T20 World Cup witnessed some of the most amazing performances. England beat Pakistan in the Finals and secured their second ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Top Performers
Virat Kohli of India played six matches and scored 296 runs, averaging 98.66 with a strike rate of 136.40. His highest score was an unbeaten 82, and he achieved four half-centuries. Kohli hit 25 fours and eight sixes during these innings.
Wanindu Hasaranga from Sri Lanka secured 15 wickets in eight matches; he bowled 31 overs, maintaining an economy rate of 6.41 and an average of 13.26. His standout bowling figures were 3/8, achieved at a strike rate of 12.40. However, the English bowling all-rounder became the best Player of the World Cup as he took 13 wickets.
Conclusion for Top Performers of Every T20 World Cup
To summarize, the T20 World Cup showcased incredible talent from cricketers worldwide. From amazing batting to impressive bowling, the tournament showcased the depth of skill in this fast-paced format. Players like Shahid Afridi, Marlon Samuels, Virat Kohli, and Wanindu Hasaranga stood out, leaving their mark on cricket history. Virat Kohli performed well in CWC23; his team will need his crucial knocks in T20 World Cup 2024.
