Ranking top 10 ‘all-time greats’ in T20 World Cup history

The mega cricket fest T20 World Cup 2024 is well underway in USA and West Indies which began on June 2, 2024. The tournament is just a week away from starting. The focus of the teams has been on preparing well for the tournament. As a tournament, T20 WC has a legacy with several great matches changing the complexion of the sport. It is regarded as the future of the sport. 

T20 being the unpredictable format allows associate teams to beat the top teams on their given day. The chances of it happening in the ODI World Cup or Tests is less. The start of the T20 extravaganza was a massive move in the sport. Since then, several stars have emerged from the tournament. They have defined the tournament with their great performances. Many of them won the T20 World Cup for their side.

Here are the top 10 all-time greats in the history of the T20 World Cups:

10. Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka)

Lasith Malinga was brilliant in the death overs for Sri Lanka from 2007 to 2014. The unorthodox pacer played a key role in Sri Lanka reaching the final in 2009 and 2012. After going through heartbreaks, the champion could finally help his side to glory in 2014. He was brilliant with the ball as usual but led the side well under pressure.

In the 2014 T20 World Cup, Sri Lanka suffered some massive blows. Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara were out of form and the former had to be removed from captaincy midway through the tournament. A relatively inexperienced Malinga took Lanka to glory. In the final against India, his death bowling was at its peak and helped his team.

9. Ajantha Mendis (Sri Lanka)

Ajantha Mendis was arguably the best spinner in the T20 World Cups till 2012. The mystery spinner was the leading wicket-taker in 2012 and the second-highest wicket-taker in 2009. At his peak, Mendis was hard to play. His variations were not read by many. After ending up as the runner-up in 2009 and 2012, Mendis finally became a champion in 2014.

When the 2nd edition of the tournament was played in England in 2009, Mendis claimed 12 wickets in 7 matches at a bowling average of 11.91, at an economy rate of 5.50, at a bowling SR of 13.00. In the T20 WC 2012, the unorthodox spinner claimed 15 wickets at a bowling average of 9.80, an economy rate of 6.12, and a bowling SR of 9.60.