All Time Indian T20I XI

The Twenty-20 format of cricket is the most enjoyed and entertaining form of cricket. It is a format wherein no one starts as a favourite and the result could go in anyone’s favour. The team which showcases some excellent hitting and some quality bowling would win the game.

India started their T20I journey back in 2006 against South Africa. India was good enough to win the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007. The journey is definitely not a big one but the way the love of the format has emerged in the country is something people talk about. IPL is one of the biggest league competitions in the world. Today, we make an all time Indian T20I XI, considering their performances only at the international circuit i.e. only while representing India.

The team looks as follows:-

1. Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma has been phenomenal in recent years. He has been able to transform himself as one of the best openers of all time. Sharma holds many records at the international stage. He has the most number of T20I centuries as well as the most number of sixes to his name. The Indian vice captain is also the second highest run getter in the format.  He even holds the joint record of fastest hundred. 

Innings: 100 Runs: 2773 Average: 32.62 S/R*: 138.72 100s: 4

*S/R – Strike Rate

2.  KL Rahul

Selection of the second opener was a bit tricky one. Gautam Gambhir and Shikhar Dhawan too were very much into the race. However, Rahul has been a talking point of all Indian Cricket Team fans in recent days. He has been superb at each and every position where the team management has made him bat. Rahul has only played 24 innings as an opener but averages at around 47 and has a strike rate of 145 there. Not to forget he has ten 50+ scores to his name while opening the innings for India.

Innings: 38 Runs: 1461 Average: 45.66 S/R: 146.10 100s: 2

3. Virat Kohli

The current skipper is a no brainer at No.3 in any T20 International team. He averages at around 59 at the same. Altogether he has an average 50.8 which is a record by a player playing minimum of 20 innings. He holds the record of highest runs in the format. He is a true champion and has also won two player of the series awards in past two T20 world cups.

Innings: 76 Runs: 2794 Average: 50.8 S/R: 138.24 

4. Suresh Raina

As I have already said, Suresh Raina is one of the finest T20 players of India. He has a wonderful record at the IPL level and has even showed some good performances in the blue jersey. He is an excellent fielder and also has a T20I hundred to his name. He was the first Indian to achieve that feat. Not to forget his ability to chip in with some important overs at tough times which makes him a complete player.

Innings: 66 Runs: 1604 Average: 29.16 S/R: 134.79 100s: 1

5. Yuvraj Singh

Yuvraj Singh has been one of the most important members of the team that won the inaugural World T20. His all-round performances have always been a talking point. He had the ability to score against any big team and take some very important wickets. He also has the record of six 6s in an over off England’s Stuart Broad back in 2007 for which he even won the inaugural T20I Performance of the year.

Innings: 51 Runs: 1177 Average: 28.02 S/R: 136.38 Wickets: 28 E/R*: 7.06

*E/R- Economy Rate

6. MS Dhoni (C/WK)

Another no brainer in the list. MS Dhoni has much to offer. He is one of the best finishers the game has witnessed. He has led India to three ICC Cup wins. His decisions as a captain has always been phenomenal. The decision of which player at which fielding position and handling a pressure situation are few hard things which MS makes look so easy. He is one of the best behind the stumps. Talking about his batting, he averages at around 37.

Innings: 85 Runs: 1617 Average: 37.60 S/R: 126.13 

7.  Hardik Pandya

The wait for a good fast bowling allrounder seems to be over for the Indian Cricket Team. Hardik Pandya seems to be the answer of that doubt. He has been part of the Indian squad for past few years but been an important one. He can hit long sixes and at a decent rate and can bowl well and take wickets. He is definitely one of the upcoming superstars of the game.

Matches: 40 S/R: 147.62 Wickets: 38 E/R: 8.35

8. Ravichandran Ashwin

Ashwin has proved himself to be one of the best spinners in recent times. Playing for India, he has some wonderful figures in the shortest format. He has an excellent economy rate which is under 7 and a very good bowling average of 23. He can even help with his batting skills at times.

Matches: 46 Wickets: 52 E/R: 6.98

9. Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Bhuvneshwar Kumar can swing the bowl during the start of the innings and has a great impact during the death overs. Kumar is a very economical bowler and has a bowling average of 26. 

Matches: 43 Wickets: 41 E/R: 7.05

10. Yuzvendra Chahal

The impact of the wrist spinners for past two years in limited overs cricket has been a big one. India were blessed to have two at the same moment. Talking about Yuzi Chahal, he has been a wonderful find for the team. He is the second highest wicket taker for the Indian team in the format. 

Matches: 42 Wickets: 55 E/R: 8.19

11. Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah has been one of the deadliest bowler in the recent times. He has the ability to bowl those toe-crushing yorkers and one of the best in the death bowling business. Bhuvi and Bumrah have really been an impactful duo for the Indian Team and have shared many wickets between them. 

Matches: 49 Wickets: 59 E/R: 6.67

For me, this is the all-time T20 Internationals XI for India. There are four players who couldn’t find a place in the XI but needs a mention for their contribution.

1. Shikhar Dhawan

Innings: 59 Runs: 1588 Average: 28.36 S/R: 128.27 

2. Manish Pandey

Innings: 32 Runs: 707 Average: 47.13 S/R: 127.62

3. Kuldeep Yadav

Matches: 20 Wickets: 39 E/R: 7.11 

4. Ashish Nehra

Matches: 27 Wickets: 34 E/R: 7.73

We would be delighted to see you people rate our team in the comment section below. Keep Reading Openions!

- Kshitij