Top 5 Performances in ICC T20 World Cup History

Countdown has already begun for next ICC T20 World Cup event that is taking place in Australia next year. Teams are already plotting their plans for the global tournament. It is the right time to look back upon 5 individual performances that lit up the stage across past events.

Yuvraj Singh, Ind Vs Aus, 2007
Young Indian team was ready to take on mighty Aussies in Durban for a place in first ever WT20 Final. Yuvraj Singh was deemed fit after missing out against SA in last Super 8 game. He already had made the impact on tournament with that 6 sixes against Stuart Broad. But his major fireworks were yet to come, and it came against one of the quality bowling oppositions going around and at most crucial juncture. India had made quick start when he came to bat but innings needed to be consolidated. He and Robin Uthappa got going straight away at Kingsmead. Yuvraj flicked one 148 KPH thunderbolt from Lee over to square leg boundary for one of the biggest hits of tournament. That shot epitomizes India’s approach in a way during that phase. Yuvraj was ruthless to all bowlers equally. Yuvraj made 70 from just 30 balls before getting out. India defended 188 to reach the final.

Mike Hussey, Aus Vs Pak, 2010
Chasing 192 to win against Pakistan, Australia’s WC campaign was all but done when Mr. Cricket entered the scene. Required rate was climbing to 14 an over. Pakistani fans at St. Lucia were started to celebrate but Hussey had other ideas that evening. At one stage, Aus needed 22 off 7 balls. Last over was to bowled by experienced Saeed Ajmal. Hussey needed to score 18 to take Australia to their first ever final. He hit first couple for magnificent sixes over long on region. Equation was now in sight for him. This was one of the most astonishing assaults against Ajmal and that too under pressure. Hussey finished with 60 off just 24 deliveries.

Virat Kohli, Ind Vs SA, 2014
This was again a Semi Final masterclass from Virat Kohli at Mirpur. Chasing 173 against Dale Steyn and Co, India needed something special to get across the line. And Kohli provided just that, he was at peak of his powers on that March evening. He got vital supports from Rahane, Yuvraj and Raina from the other end. Kohli made 72 not out from 44 and MS Dhoni fittingly gave the opportunity to him to finish the game. India chased down the score with 5 balls to go.

Mitch Santner, NZ Vs Ind, 2016
This was probably the most impactful spell of bowling in T20 World Cup history. On a two paced Nagpur deck, NZ put on modest 126 against star Indian batting line up. NZ opened the bowling with Mitchell Santner and he delivered straight away dismissing Rohit Sharma. Indian stroke makers never got going, Santner went on to add Raina, Dhoni and Hardik to his tally. He got able support from fellow spinner Ish Sodhi and New Zealand comfortably defended that score to start off their campaign with a win against hosts India. Santner finished with figures of 4-0-11-4.

Carlos Brathwaite, WI Vs Eng, 2016
No one can still forget his name. That was stuff of champions. That was a story from dreams. That can not be happening every day. That was once in a lifetime moment for Carlos Brathwaite and the West Indies at Eden Gardens. WI needed 19 off last over of Ben Stokes to get their hands on silverware. Carlos hit first 4 balls to sixes in different dimensions of Eden with his long levers. Capacity Crowd erupted in unison. Whole WI team running onto the ground is still the champagne moment of this tournament as equally was Stokes’ despair. Brathwaite finished with precious 34 off just 10 and WI became the first team to win T20 World Cup twice.