The T20, or Twenty20 cricket, began in the mid-2000s. And since then, it has touched new heights. This form of cricket is so popular nowadays that it has helped launch new cricket tournaments like the Indian Premier League, Big Bash League, etc. The first-ever T20 international involved Australia and New Zealand played in 2005. Speaking of the Indian cricket team, they played their first-ever T20 international in 2006 against South Africa, which they won. Below we will look at the top ten Indian cricketers with most T20 internationals.
1. Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma is the dashing opening batsman who represents India in International cricket. In the IPL, he is part of Mumbai Indians, the franchise that he captains. His ODI heroics are known worldwide, such as his three double centuries. But in T20 internationals, he has four tons and 26 half-centuries to his name. The present limited-overs captain of India has also played most T20 internationals for his country. He has represented India in 119 T20 internationals. Undoubtedly, he will end his career as one of the greatest T20 batsmen of all time.MS Dhoni
2. MS Dhoni
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, or shortly known as MS Dhoni, is the former captain of the Indian Cricket Team. The wicket-keeper batsman, known for his fiery batting, called it a day on 15th August 2020. He left the test captaincy in 2014 and limited-overs captaincy in 2017 and handled these duties to Virat Kohli. He has played 98 T20 internationals, hitting two half-centuries in the process. Captain Cool was India’s captain when they won the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup in 2007 in South Africa.
3. Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli, also known as Virat ‘the run machine’ Kohli, has broken many records while playing for Indian Cricket Team. There are only a few batsmen at present who can match his numbers. He performs most of the time when his team needs him. Virat is also one of the most famous sportspersons in the world. Speaking of his T20 international records, he has played a total of 95 matches, with over 3000 runs to his name. He also captained the side after Dhoni quit captaincy but recently left his captaincy duties after the 2021 T20 World Cup.
4. Suresh Raina
Suresh Raina is a retired cricketer who played in the middle order for Team India. He is a dashing batsman and has also played some great knocks while representing his country. Raina was the first-ever Indian cricketer to score a century in T20 internationals. He made 101 runs against South Africa in the 2010 edition of the T20 World Cup. Raina retired on 15th August 2020, on the same day his Indian and CSK teammate MS Dhoni retired. He played a total of 78 T20 internationals for India. And is one of the Indian players to score over 1000 runs in this format.
5. Shikhar Dhawan
Shikhar Dhawan is an Indian cricketer who plays as an opening batsman. He is a stylish batsman who has played over 200 international matches while representing Team India. Dhawan is also known for his heroics alongside Rohit Sharma while opening the batting, mostly in ODIs. Talking about his T20 international numbers, he has represented India in 68 matches. Dhawan has over 1200 runs while donning the Indian jersey in this format. He has scored 11 half-centuries, with the highest score of 92.
6. Yuvraj Singh
Yuvraj Singh is a middle-order batsman who played for the Indian Cricket team. He is also known for his bowling heroics, which proved crucial for India in the 2011 ODI World Cup. In the 2011 Cricket World Cup, he was named the Player of the Tournament. He also has some achievements while donning an Indian jersey in T20 format. In a group stage match of the 2007 T20 World Cup, he hit six sixes in an over against Stuart Broad. Yuvraj, nicknamed Yuvi, has represented India in 58 T20 internationals, scoring over 1000 runs. He also overcame cancer in his life. He retired in 2019.
7. KL Rahul
Kannur Lokesh Rahul, aka KL Rahul, is an Indian batsman who opens the batting for his team. He has also batted in the middle-order while donning the Indian jersey. Rahul is also a part-time wicket-keeper. He has played over 100 games in his international cricket career. Speaking of his T20 international numbers, Rahul has been part of 56 matches. He has scored over 1800 runs which include 16 half-centuries and two centuries. His highest score in T20 internationals is 110.
8. Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah is an Indian right-arm fast bowler who made his debut for India in 2016. He got selected by the Indian Cricket Team selection committee for the limited-overs tour of Australia. His bowling action is one of the main reasons the opposition batsmen struggle against him. He made his India debut in the 5th ODI, which they won. He has been a part of 55 T20 internationals while donning the Indian jersey. He has picked a total of 66 wickets with an economy under 7.
9. Ravindra Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja is a left-handed all-rounder who has represented the men in blue in all formats. He is a left-arm slow bowler and bats left-handed too. He is nicknamed ‘Sir’ Ravindra Jadeja and is known for his ‘sword’ celebration whenever he completes his half-century. The left-hander has played 55 T20 internationals for India and has 46 wickets and 256 runs to his name.
10. Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Bhuvneshwar Kumar is a right-arm medium-fast pace bowler representing the Indian Cricket Team. He is also a useful lower-order batsman, where he can chip in some runs for his team. Bhuvi has played over 150 international matches for India. Out of those, 55 have come under the T20 format, where he has taken 53 wickets.
