T20 cricket has evolved in its short existence of a decade and a half. Teams have finally understood the importance of consistent ball striking. The importance attached to average has slowly started fading. Teams now realize it is important to optimize every scoring opportunity. Indian cricket has adapted to an all-out aggressive approach in the last few series. The team has risked failure in its penchant to score fast and score big. They are keen to cross the 200 run mark in T20Is’ batting first. The stroke makers and their strike rate become even more important in such cases. Stay with us to know Indian Batsmen With Highest Strike Rate In T20I’s
StumpsandBails looks at Indian Batsmen With Highest Strike Rate In T20I’s : (Note: Qualifying criteria-minimum 250 balls faced)
#5 Virat Kohli (SR: 139.00)
Virat Kohli is the only batsman in the world to average more than 50 across all 3 formats. But his high average often masks the fact that Kohli is an aggressive run-maker. He gets off the block far quickly in International T20I’s as compared to the IPL. He remains the only player to have won 2 “Man of the Series” awards in T20 World Cups. In fact, he won the award in consecutive world cups (2014 & 2016). Kohli has amassed 3159 runs at a strike rate of 139 averaging 52.6. His batting index (strike rate + average) is an outstanding 191.6.
#4 KL Rahul (SR: 142.20)
KL Rahul has been India’s best T20I batsman in the last couple of years. He had a poor series against England that has dented his numbers a bit. But there is no doubt about Rahul’s T20I batting skills. He has smashed 2 centuries and he is someone who gets going right from ball one. Rahul’s T20I career strike rate is 142.2. He averages a fine 39.9. His batting index is a solid 182.1.
#3 Dinesh Karthik (SR: 143.53)
Not many remember that Dinesh Karthik was India’s first-ever man of the match award winner in T20I cricket. Karthik’s contribution to Indian T20I cricket is underrated yet immense. He is primarily known for his 8 balls 29 against Bangladesh in the Nidahas Trophy finals. His last ball 6 is one of the most iconic moments of Indian cricket in the last decade. Karthik has played many crucial knocks for India batting lower down the order. His stats are far better than MS Dhoni who featured in almost all T20I’s since 2007-17 the same period where Karthik got an odd game here or there. Karthik’s strike rate is a fine 143.53. For someone who walks in at number 5 or 6, he averages a wonderful 33.25. His batting index is a fantastic 176.78.
#2 Virender Sehwag (SR: 145.40)
There can’t be a list without Virender Sehwag when it comes to batsmen having high strike rates. Sehwag was someone who played at the same rate in all 3 formats of the game. A strike rate of 82.2 in Tests, 104.3 in ODI’s, 145.40 in T20I’s signify the same. Sehwag blasted the bowling right from the word go. He didn’t let the opposition settle and that was his biggest strength. He averaged a lowly 21.9 but his impact was insane. Sehwag’s batting index is 167.5.
#1 Hardik Pandya (SR: 147.66)
Hardik Pandya is India’s number 1 ball-striker in the shortest format. He strikes in at 147.66. Pandya is 2 points clear of Sehwag and that tells a story in itself. Hardik is a team man who plays according to the situation of the game. He doesn’t mind losing his wicket in the quest of scoring quick runs. Pandya is a fearful striker whose presence is vital for India in the upcoming T20I World Cup. Hardik averages (19.75) the lowest among these 5 players. His batting index (167.41) closely mirrors that of Sehwag.
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