The T20 format is one of the most exciting and thrilling forms of cricket that exist, producing numerous edge-of-the-seat thrillers. T20 leagues around the globe have grown to become popular in the past two decades, as the Big Bash League in Australia, Caribbean Premier League in West Indies, and most importantly the Indian Premier Leagues in India are one of the toughest leagues going around. Let’s have a look at the top 10 T20 franchises around the world.
10. Islamabad United
Islamabad is one of the professional T20 franchises that participate in the Pakistan Super League. The PSL giants have won the silverware in 2016 and 2018. They are one of the consistent teams in the league. They’ve strengthened their squad season after season by signing some world-class players like Luke Ronchi, Shabad Khan, Usman Khawaja, Dwayne Smith, Asif Ali, Alex Hales, and many more.
9. Dhaka Dynamites
Previously known as Dhaka Gladiators, Dhaka Dynamites is one of the top teams in the Bangladesh Premier League. They have conquered the league thrice since its inaugural in 2012. Mashrafe Mortaza led the team to victory in 2012 and 2013. They have recently roped in Bangladesh’s poster boy Shakib Al Hasan, who is now on the verge of leaving the team. They signed huge T20 legends like Kieron Pollard, Chris Gayle, and Andre Russell through the years. Dynamites failed to win the title in 2020 after losing out to Comilla Victorians in the finals.
8. Kolkata Knight Riders
Kolkata Knight Riders are a T20 franchise in the IPL. It was in 2011 when they signed Gautam Gambhir at the auctions that changed their fortune. Gautam Gambhir led the team by an example. They won their first trophy in 2012 against Chennai Super Kings. After a year, they again lifted the trophy in 2014 against Kings XI. They have had many greats within their squad like Gautam Gambhir, Brett Lee, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Robin Uthappa, Piyush Chawla, Manish Pandey, and many others.
7. Trinbago Knight Riders
Trinbago Knight Riders are the most triumphant team in the Caribbean Premier League. The CPL giants have clinched the trophy four times in 2015, 2017, 2018 and, 2020. They have a strong core of West Indies players like Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo, DJ Bravo, Lendl Simmons, Sunil Narine and, Denesh Ramdin, key for their successful run in the league.
6. Leicestershire Foxes
Leicestershire Foxes is a limited-overs team of Leicestershire County Cricket Club that participates in the T20 Blast. They have always relied upon and backed up young players, which bore them fruits. They sealed the trophy three times in the history of T20 Blast, which is the most by any team. They have had notable names like Colin Ackerman, their captain, Brad Hodge, Stuart Broad, and others.
5. Titans
Titans play in the South African T20 challenge. They’ve won more trophies than any other T20 franchise in the world. They’ve won the league astounding six times. Titans are a commixture of two cities, Centurion and Benoni. Titans channelled their excellent run into the Champions League T20 trophy in 2012 and reached the semi-finals. They had the likes of Morkel brother, Behardien, Aiden Markram, David Miller, AB de Villiers and others.
4. Sydney Sixers
Sydney Sixers is a part of the BBL. They have clinched the trophy three times in their history. Sixers squad is a perfect amalgamation of youth and experience. They are champions of the recently concluded BBL09 season. Sixers have always been consistent in producing fine talents every season and playing entertaining cricket. They had many star cricketers in their line-up which, include Mitchell Starc, Brett Lee, Michael Lumb, Moises Henriques, and others.
3. Perth Scorchers
Perth Scorchers are another most successful team in the Big Bash League. They have lifted the trophy three times. They’ve dominated the league for many years and taunted other teams with their consistency in winning the games. They reached five finals and secured seven out of seven top-four finishes in their history. They had a star-studded line-up with Mitchell Marsh, Andrew Tye Shaun Marsh, Liam Livingstone, Adam Voges, Michael Klinger, Jhye Richardson, Ashton Agar, and many others.
2. Mumbai Indians
Many of the fans would argue that Mumbai Indians is the most successful franchise. Mumbai Indians are one of the most successful franchises in the IPL by winning the trophy four times. Mumbai Indians have been good at spotting talented cricketers and picking them up at the auctions, and it has paid off for them as the youngsters reached the expectations. They have players like Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Pandya Brothers, Kieron Pollard, Trent Boult, Surya Kumar Yadav, and many other excellent players in their echelon.
1. Chennai Super Kings
Chennai super kings have been the most victorious and consistent teams since the start of the IPL, led by one of the best captains of this generation MS Dhoni, who has been the franchise’s hallmark. Under his captaincy, Chennai Super Kings have won the IPL thrice till now, and they hold the record for most exhibitions in the IPL playoffs, which is ten times, and also, they have been in the final a staggering 8 times. This makes them the best team in the franchise cricket era. They have had legends like Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Faf du Plessis, Ravindra Jadeja, Brendon McCullum, Ravi Ashwin, DJ Bravo, Dwayne Smith, and others who’ve been instrumental in their success over the years.
