India's best with the bat in T20 World Cup

With the T20 world cup just around the corner it’s time to rewind some of the best performances of an Indian batsman in a T20 World Cup match. Indian cricket team always had a solid batting line-up studded with big hitters, so it is always expected from them to deliver the fireworks. I have chosen my personal favourite performances by an Indian batsman in a T20 World Cup match. I have ranked these knocks based on the parameters like impact on the match result, quality of innings and opposition.

5. Rohit Sharma vs South Africa,Super eight match at Durban, 2007
50* runs off 40 balls,     Strike rate- 125,    2 Sixes 7 Fours

In a must win scenario for India to stay alive in the tournament, Rohit Sharma came out to bat when his team was in deep trouble with a score of 33-3. On a tough wicket in Durban Sharma batting for the first time in a T20 match showed his class and scored a vintage half-century. Sharma’s valiant effort provided enough runs on the board for India in the match, which they won comfortably in the end. 

4. Suresh Raina vs South Africa, Group Stage match at St.Lucia, 2010
101 Runs off 60 Balls, Strike Rate- 168.3,   5 Sixes 9 Fours

After a lull in the previous edition of the T20 WC, this was India’s first big match in the world cup of 2010. Against a high quality bowling attack of South Africa Raina scored a brilliant century and became the first Indian to do so. His innings included 5 hits over the fence. It was crucial for India to start their campaign on a high against a good opposition and Raina just provided the perfect platform for that.

3. Gautam Gambhir  vs Pakistan,  Final at Johannesburg, 2007
75 Runs off 54 balls,    Strike rate-138.8,   2 Sixes 8 Fours

In the dream final between India and Pakistan, Gambhir came out to bat without his regular opening partner Sehwag. Gambhir playing sensibly scored a well paced 75 and ensured that India reached a respectable total to play with. His innings was very crucial as he held one end with authority allowing other to freely. Although his knock isn’t remembered much as it lacked the razzmatazz of a T20 innings, but nonetheless his effort was a match winning one.


2. Yuvraj Singh  vs England,  Semi-final at Duban, 2007
58 Runs off 16 Balls,   Strike rate- 362.5,   7 Sixes 3 Fours

In another must win situation for India Yuvraj came out to bat in the last stage of the first innings. Those who watched this match can never forget Yuvraj’s batting. His innings was studded with a record six sixes in an over off Stuart Broad. The way he smacked Broad in the penultimate over of the innings was simply outstanding. It's hard to imagine anything better than those sixes of Yuvraj. He scored a 12 ball half-century which is a world record. His blitzkrieg gave India a commanding total 218.


1. Yuvraj Singh   vs Australia,  Semi-final at Durban, 2007 
70 Runs off 30 balls,   Strike rate-233.3,  5 Sixes 5 Fours

This one is arguably the best T20 innings ever played by an Indian. In the semi-final against Australia, Yuvraj came out to bat when his team was tottering at 41-2 in 8 over’s. He came with all guns blazing and looked in complete control throughout his innings. Yuvraj smashed Australian bowlers all around the park. He followed his record breaking innings against England with another stellar performance in the semi-final. His blistering knock gave India a birth in the final.

After lifting the trophy in the first edition of the ICC T20 world cup 2007, India’s performance in the next two tournaments wasn’t up to the mark especially with the bat. In fact, India lost all their super eight matches in the world cup of 2009 and 2010.