T20 cricket has transformed the game with fast excitement. While the batsmen are grabbing the headlines, bowlers have etched their names in history. Batsmen and bowlers aim for remarkable moments in limited overs, captivating fans. This article highlights ten incredible bowling moments in T20 cricket. These moments show bowlers' importance with spin, pace, and accuracy, adding to T20's memorable performances.
1. Ajantha Mendis - 6/16 (Sri Lanka Vs Australia, 2011)
Spinner Ajantha Mendis made history by taking six wickets in a T20 match, leading Sri Lanka to a victory against Australia. His outstanding performance of 6 wickets for 16 runs helped Sri Lanka secure the win. Despite Shane Watson's strong batting, Mendis' record-breaking haul and Jayawardene's innings ensured Sri Lanka's 2-0 series sweep. Mendis' mesmerizing spin and variations baffled Australian batsmen, making it the best T20 bowling figures ever. This is marked as a truly memorable moment in cricket history.
2. Lasith Malinga - 5/13 (Mumbai Indians Vs Delhi Daredevils, 2011)
During the IPL, on April 10, 2011, Mumbai Indians faced Delhi Daredevils at Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi. Lasith Malinga's exceptional bowling led Mumbai Indians to an easy victory. His display of yorkers and slower deliveries troubled Delhi's batsmen. Malinga's five-wicket haul restricted Delhi to 95 runs. He dismissed key players like Warner, Chand, Sehwag, Rao, and Morkel, showcasing his ferocious bowling skills.
3. Samuel Badree - 4/9 (West Indies Vs Pakistan, 2014)
Samuel Badree, a leg-spin bowler, showed his amazing skills against Pakistan in a match during 2014. He took four wickets by confusing the batsmen with his accurate and tricky deliveries. He's a quiet person, not like the flashy players from his country. Even after a great performance, he stayed calm, knowing he did his best. He’s been good at stopping runs in many matches. During the 2014 T20 world cup, he helped his team reach the semi-finals. He took important wickets again, making his team stronger.
4. Ravichandran Ashwin - 4/8 (India Vs Sri Lanka, 2015)
Ravichandran Ashwin bowled clever off-spin, taking four wickets for only eight runs against Sri Lanka. His tricky deliveries stopped the opponents, showing how spin is important in T20 cricket. Ashwin's 4 for 8 was the best ever for India in T20 internationals, breaking his own record. His bowling played a big role in India bowling out Sri Lanka for just 82 runs. India won the match easily with Shikhar Dhawan's batting.
5. Umar Gul - 5/6 (Pakistan Vs New Zealand, 2009)
Umar Gul's incredible bowling performance led Pakistan to a comfortable victory against New Zealand in a T20 match. His impressive swing and seam bowling earned him five wickets for just six runs, demolishing New Zealand's batting lineup. Gul's 5 for 6 was one of the best bowling figures in T20 international cricket history and T20 World Cup. He became the first bowler to achieve a five-wicket haul in T20 internationals, showcasing his skill and accuracy. This memorable performance took place during the 2009 T20 World Cup.
6. Rashid Khan - 5/3 (Afghanistan Vs Ireland, 2019)
In a T20 match between Afghanistan and Ireland, Rashid Khan achieved the first-ever T20I hat-trick for a spinner. Afghanistan won 3-0 with a 32-run victory in the final game. Mohammad Nabi's impressive 81 runs off 36 balls helped Afghanistan score 210-7 after Ireland chose to field. Rashid Khan's 5-27, including four wickets in four balls, limited Ireland to 178-8. This historic performance marked Rashid Khan as the first spinner to accomplish a T20I hat-trick, securing Afghanistan's win against Ireland.
7. Makhaya Ntini - 4/21 (Chennai Super Kings Vs Kings XI Punjab, 2008)
Makhaya Ntini's fast pace and aggression was seen in the first IPL season. His four-wicket performance highlighted the impact of speed and aggression in T20 cricket. During a match between Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders, Ntini took 3 wickets in 3 balls, achieving a hat-trick. However, it went unnoticed at the time. He dismissed players like Sourav Ganguly, Debabrata Das and David Hussey. Statisticians later added his name to the hat-trick list, revealing this unnoticed achievement in the IPL.
8. Jasprit Bumrah - 3/7 (India Vs Zimbabwe, 2016)
In the 3rd ODI of India's tour of Zimbabwe in 2016, Jasprit Bumrah's four-wicket haul, lead India to a convincing 10-wicket victory. The win secured a 3-0 series whitewash. Zimbabwe scored 123 with Vusi Sibanda's 38. India's bowlers, including Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, and Dhawal Kulkarni, took wickets. India easily chased the target, making 126-0 in 21.5 overs, with KL Rahul's unbeaten 63. Bumrah's 3/11 in the second T20I also helped India limit Zimbabwe to 99/9.
9. Sunil Narine - 5/19 (Kolkata Knight Riders Vs Kings XI Punjab, 2012)
In an IPL 2012 match of Kings XI Punjab against Kolkata Knight Riders, Sunil Narine's impressive bowling of 5-19 set a record for Kolkata Knight Riders. Despite his efforts, Kings XI Punjab managed to pull off a 2-run victory over Kolkata Knight Riders making it a nail-biting contest. Narine's performance was remarkable, and he was awarded the Player of the Match. His spin bowling attack led to a career-best 5-wicket haul for just 19 runs in 4 overs. The match showcased Narine's skill and contributed to the excitement of the Indian Premier League tournament.
10. Dale Steyn - 4/9 (South Africa Vs West Indies, 2015)
Dale Steyn showcased his deadly pace and swing, taking four wickets for just nine runs, highlighting the importance of fast bowling. Steyn, known as the 'Steyn Gun,' has been a dominant force since his debut in 2004, and he's a top wicket-taker in tests and ODIs. Steyn is known for his fast and accurate bowling, and he can make the ball swing in different ways. Injuries sometimes affected his career, but he always came back. He's known for his fierce competitiveness and his ability to take crucial wickets.
