The T20 World Cup is gearing up for its ninth edition, and excitement is in the air. Back in 2007, the first edition of this electrifying format took the cricketing world by storm. Under the leadership of the inspirational Mahendra Singh Dhoni, India emerged victorious, defeating their arch-rivals Pakistan in a nail-biting final. Since then, seven more editions have been played, witnessing the format's growing popularity as the competition gets fiercer year after year.
Only two players from that inaugural tournament remain on the field for this edition – a testament to their longevity and talent. Leading the Indian charge is the ever-reliable Rohit Sharma, while Bangladesh's star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan also boasts the honour of participating in both the first and ninth World Cups. However, India’s Rohit Sharma holds the record for most matches played, a staggering 39, with Shakib close behind at 36. Rohit Sharma's first innings came in a crunch group clash in 2007 against South Africa in Durban, where his maiden T20I fifty saw him win the Player of the Match award and ensured India's spot in the semi-finals of the tournament.
One of Rohit's best knocks in the tournament came in 2010 in a losing cause against Australia in Bridgetown. Chasing 185 for a win, Rohit waged a lone battle, smashing an unbeaten 79 off just 46 balls with only one other batter crossing double digits.
Sri Lankan legend Tillakaratne Dilshan follows with 35 appearances, while veterans like Dwayne Bravo, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, and David Warner have all notched up 34 matches each.
The run-scoring charts are dominated by the phenomenal Virat Kohli, who sits atop the pile with a jaw-dropping 1411 runs. Another batting maestro, Mahela Jayawardene, isn't far behind with over 1000 runs to his name. The 'Universe Boss' Chris Gayle comes in at a close third with 965 runs, followed by Rohit Sharma himself with 963. Rounding out the top five is another Sri Lankan legend, Tillakaratne Dilshan, with a mighty 897 runs.
When it comes to bowling, the wily Shakib Al Hasan reigns supreme, having scalped an impressive 47 wickets. Not far behind is the evergreen Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi with 39 wickets, while Sri Lankan pace bowler Lasith Malinga sits at third with 38. Shakib's tally remains a significant target for any bowler in the upcoming tournament.
The record for the highest individual score belongs to the explosive Brendon McCullum, who bludgeoned a staggering 123 runs off just 58 balls against Bangladesh in 2012. Chris Gayle, another power-hitter, isn't far behind with his 117-run knock against South Africa back in 2007. Alex Hales also finds himself in the top three with his unbeaten 116 against Sri Lanka in the 2014 edition. Gayle also holds the record for the fastest century, a blistering 47-ball knock against England in 2016.
The 'Universe Boss' reigns supreme once more when it comes to sixes. The gap between him and Rohit Sharma, his closest competitor, is quite substantial. Rohit has managed 35 sixes in this edition of the World Series. Yuvraj Singh, remembered for his iconic six sixes off Stuart Broad in the first World Cup, also features on the list alongside Jos Buttler, both tied for third place with 33 sixes each.
Sri Lanka boasts the best bowling figures in World Cup history. Ajantha Mendis' phenomenal spell of 6 wickets for just 8 runs remains unmatched. His compatriot Rangana Herath follows closely with a spell of 5 wickets for a mere 3 runs. Pakistani pace bowler Umar Gul also finds a place in the top three with his 5-wicket haul against New Zealand in the 2009 edition.
When it comes to dismissals behind the stumps, Mahendra Singh Dhoni remains the undisputed king. With a combination of 21 catches and 11 stumpings, he has established a formidable record. Quinton de Kock, the only wicketkeeper from the top five who will be playing in this edition, follows with 22 dismissals. However, the record for most catches as a fielder belongs to the versatile AB de Villiers, with a staggering 23.
The West Indies and England share the distinction of being the most successful teams in the T20 World Cup, each having lifted the trophy twice in eight editions. Australia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and India have all tasted victory once, making for a highly competitive landscape as the ninth edition approaches.
