Quantcast

Cricket's Twenty20 superstars: 12 & 11

We continue our countdown of the top T20 players with an Indian legend and a big-hitting Windies star

12. MS Dhoni

The stats | M: 293 | NO: 107 | Runs: 6032 | HS: 118 | Ave: 31.94 | SR: 132.68 | 100s: 4 | 50s: 51

The story: What is there left to say about MS Dhoni? His batting pyrotechnics are well known. As is his ability as a finisher (107 not outs!). His work behind the stumps? Well, there has perhaps never been a faster gloveman than Dhoni. And as for his leadership, he’s captained teams to World T20, Champions League and IPL titles. In an age of super heroes, Dhoni’s time came in the twilight of Sachin Tendulkar’s career and the dawn of Virat Kohli’s. The mullet. The swashbuckling strokeplay. The success. Dhoni was a super hero. And he’s still going! One brave/stupid reporter asked if India’s exit from the 2016 World T20 would be his final act in international cricket. Dhoni told the reporter, rather personally, and the world that he’s still got a few more years left.

MS Dhoni talks retirement with Sam Ferris

The signature move: This is an easy one. Nobody plays the ‘helicopter’ like Dhoni. It’s not the most orthodox way to dispatch a full-length ball, but the way Dhoni can whip a half-volley to the boundary with a wild whirl above his head makes for a productive shot and brilliant entertainment.

The performance: While he didn’t produce a standout innings – six from 10 balls – Dhoni’s performance as captain in the final of the inaugural World T20 final perhaps altered the course of the T20 format. With Pakistan needing 13 to win from the final over, Dhoni threw the ball to Joginder Sharma over veteran Harbhajan Singh and backed the rookie quick to deliver. After Misbah-ul-Haq hit Sharma for six to take the equation to six off four balls, Dhoni had a calming word with his bowler and next delivery, the Pakistan captain was out and India claimed victory. The triumph saw India fall in love with T20 cricket and six months later the IPL was born.

11. Andre Russell

The stats | M: 253 | NO: 51 | Runs: 2,845 | HS: 100 | Ave: 24.33 | SR: 166.09 | 100s: 1 | 50s: 13 | W: 228 | Ave: 22.58 | Econ: 8.15 | SR: 18.8 | BB: 4-11

The story: For a period there (and perhaps still) Andre Russell would have been plenty of coaches' first pick in any world T20 XI; a hostile quick capable of swing and pace in the mid-140s, a devastating hitter in the lower-middle order, and an athlete in the field with phenomenal hands, Russell is the contemporary T20 prototype. The blight on his career was a one-year suspension for a whereabouts-clause violation, but since returning to action this year, he has shown he has lost none of his match-winning abilities, shining for Kolkata with a couple of crucial whirlwind innings. The 30-year-old is also a serial winner; to go with two World T20 titles for the West Indies, he was pivotal in Sydney Thunder's BBL|05 success, and through that 10-month period, won five titles in domestic tournaments around the globe, while also being named player of the tournament in IPL 2015.

Twenty20 superstars: Andre Russell

The signature move: Pitch it full or short, leg side or off, it doesn't matter, 'Dre-Russ' will generally find a way to drive, pull, heave or bash it over wide long-on, his preferred hitting zone. With the ball, he has a genuine outswinger that has undone plenty of top-quality batsmen. 

The performance: With a place in the 2016 Caribbean Premier League final on the line, Russell came to the crease with his team in trouble at 4-67 in the 10th over. He stayed until the 20th, and in between blasted one of the most remarkable T20 innings ever – 44 balls, three fours, 11 sixes and an even 100 runs. Jamaica won the match, and went on to win the title.  

Cricket.com.au's T20 Superstars countdown - a tribute to the best players to have graced the sport's shortest format - will continue across the next fortnight.