Rohit Sharma, India vs Afghanistan : The inception of T20 International cricket began nearly 19 years ago. Since then, more than 2400 matches have been played in this format. Many players and teams have set significant records during this period. However, the current captain of the Indian cricket team, Rohit Sharma, has created a record that remains unbroken to this day, and it seems unlikely that anyone will surpass it. Let’s delve into what record Rohit Sharma has set that seems nearly unattainable.
Rohit Sharma Creates History
Rohit Sharma, the current captain of the Indian cricket team, is not just renowned in India but is also counted among the greatest cricketers globally. Every time the ‘Hitman’ steps onto the field, he effortlessly sets some record. Once again, when he faced the Afghanistan cricket team, he achieved numerous records, including the significant milestone of winning the most T20 international matches.
Rohit Sharma, who is known as the ‘Hitman,’ played his last T20 International match against England in the semi-finals of the 2022 T20 World Cup. India faced a significant defeat in that match by ten wickets. As a result, the BCCI excluded all senior players from the team. After nearly 14 months, he returned to the T20 team and created history.
On January 11, against the Afghanistan team, Rohit Sharma made his comeback in T20 cricket. Upon winning that match by six wickets, he set the record for the most T20 international matches won, marking a total of 100 wins, becoming the first player globally to achieve this.
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Rohit Sharma’s T20 International Career
Due to his exceptional ability to hit sixes, Rohit Sharma, popularly known as ‘Hitman,’ made his T20 debut in the 2007 T20 World Cup. Since then, he has played a total of 149 matches, scoring 3853 runs at an average of 31.07 and a strike rate of 139.14. His innings include four centuries and 29 half-centuries. When he stepped onto the field against Afghanistan on January 14, he also set the record for playing the most T20 international matches. During his career, Rohit has hit 348 fours and 182 sixes, leading the charts in the latter category as well.
Apart from Rohit Sharma, several other prominent cricketers feature in the top 5 list of players with the most T20 International wins
Shoaib Malik – 86 Wins
Former all-rounder of the Pakistan cricket team, Shoaib Malik, ranks second on this list. Shoaib Malik played his first T20 International match against England in 2006 and has played a total of 124 T20 International matches to date. He played his last match in 2021. During this period, when he was part of the team, Pakistan achieved victories in 86 matches, while they faced defeat in only 34 matches. Apart from being a player, he has also led the Pakistan team to several victories as captain.
In his 124 matches, Shoaib Malik has scored 2435 runs with an average of 31.21 and a strike rate of 125.64, including nine half-centuries with a highest score of 75. Moreover, in 33 matches, he has also dismissed 28 batsmen with his bowling skills.
Virat Kohli – 73 Wins
Former captain of the Indian team, Virat Kohli, stands third on the list. King Kohli made his T20 debut in 2010, and since then, when he’s been part of the playing 11, Team India has secured victories in 73 matches. There were 2 tied matches, and 3 ended without a result. The run machine Kohli has played a total of 115 matches, scoring 4008 runs with an average of 52.73 and a strike rate of 137.96 in his 107 innings. This includes 1 century and 37 half-centuries. Currently, he is the only player in T20 International cricket to have scored more than 4000 runs.
Virat Kohli played his last match during the 2022 T20 World Cup. However, he will be seen returning to T20s against the Afghanistan team on January 14th, as he has also been selected for the Afghanistan T20 Series. The reason for the return of both Virat and Rohit to the T20 team is the T20 World Cup 2024, which is going to be held from June 1, whose hosting responsibility is on America and West Indies.
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Muhammad Hafeez – 70 Wins
Former captain of the Pakistan team, Muhammad Hafeez, who made his T20 International debut in 2006, occupies the fourth position on this list. He played his last T20 International match in 2021. During his tenure, when he was part of the team, Pakistan secured victories in 70 matches, while they faced defeats in 43 matches. Muhammad Hafeez has played a total of 119 matches, scoring 2514 runs with an average of 26.46 and a strike rate of 122.03 in his 108 innings. This includes 14 half-centuries with a best score of 99*. Additionally, in 79 matches with his bowling, he has dismissed 61 batsmen.
Mohammad Nabi – 70 Wins
Former captain of the Afghanistan cricket team, Mohammad Nabi ranks fifth in terms of winning the most T20 International matches. Nabi played his first T20 International match in 2010 and has since played 113 matches, leading his team to victory in 70 of them. Speaking of Mohammad Nabi’s T20 International career, he has scored 1919 runs with an average of 22.57 and a strike rate of 139.05 in 105 innings out of 113 matches. This includes 5 half-centuries with a best score of 89. Additionally, in 107 matches with his bowling, he has dismissed 88 batsmen.
Players To win most T20I Matches
Rohit Sharma – 100 Wins
Shoaib Malik – 86 Wins
Virat Kohli – 73 Wins
Muhammad Hafeez – 70 Wins
Mohammad Nabi – 70 Wins
(All Stats Updated Till 12 January, 2024)
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