Top 10 batsmen with the highest average in T20Is

T20 cricket has made a lot of noise since its inception. The latest form of the game is a thrilling and has attracted numerous fans to the game. It won’t be wrong to say that T20 format is a batsmen game where the bowlers get bashed. The playing conditions and pitches don’t matter for them. And, it would surely be a misconception if we think the batting averages would have shrunk due the less amount overs they get to play as the batsmen have suitably adapted to the changing nature of the game.  Here we present you the list of Top 10 batsmen with the highest average in T20Is.

10. Chris Gayle – 35.15:

Chris Gayle is the king of this format and his dominance in this cannot be debated. Gayle made his T20 debut in 2006 against New Zealand and has since played 45 T20Is, scoring over 1400 runs at an average 35.15. His highest score in format is the knock of 117 runs which came against South Africa in the inaugural 2007 Twenty20 World Cup.

9. Brendon McCullum – 35.66:

Brendon McCullum is one of the best openers in this format. The explosive wicketkeeper-batsman has played a huge role in transforming the whole approach of the Black Caps towards the game. McCullum was also the part of the inaugural T20I against Australia which took place at Auckland in 2005. In all, he has played 71 T20Is so far and averages 35.66 in this format.

8. Kane Williamson – 36.69:

Kane Williamson is the batting mainstay for New Zealand currently. Williamson, who currently opens for the Kiwis, has featured in 30 T20Is after making his T20I debut against Zimbabwe at Harare in the year 2011. Williamson has been a prolific performer in this form and has scored 844 runs at an average of 36.69 in his T20 career.

7. Misbah ul Haq – 37.52:

Misbah ul Haq has been the pillar of the Pakistan batting line-up for many years now. He is stereotyped as a Test specialist, but he has been an outstanding performer in the limited overs format. Misbah has 788 runs in the 39 matches he has played for Pakistan. The veteran scored these runs at a modest strike rate of around 110 and averages 37.52.

6. Kevin Pietersen – 37.93:

Kevin Pietersen is specialist across all formats of the game. Pietersen was once an important clog in the English batting line-up. The Englishman made his T20 debut against Australia in 2005, scoring a quickfire 18 balls 34 runs knock in that game. Since then, the stylish right-hander has played 37 T20Is until 2013 and has scored 1176 runs at an average of 37.93 at a strike rate of 141.51.

5. Michael Hussey – 37.94:

Michael Hussey made his debut inaugural T20I against Australia which took place at Auckland in 2005. Hussey brought his elegance and showed how to score runs with class in the T20 format. The southpaw is a strong force in this form and has scored 721 runs at an average of 37.94 in the 38 T20Is he played for Australia until 2012.

4. JP Duminy – 38.20:

JP Duminy plays the important role of the finisher in the explosive South African batting unit. Duminy made his debut for South Africa in this format against Bangladesh during the 2007 Twenty20 World Cup. Duminy played his first T20I at Cape Town against Bangladesh in 2007 during the inaugural T20 World Cup. He has been a regular in their setup due his outstanding all-round capabilities. He has featured in 63 T20 internationals and has amassed 1528 runs at an average of 38.20.

3. Faf du Plessis – 39.28:

Faf du Plessis, the captain of South Africa T20 side, is third in the list. du Plessis is a vital part of the Proteas middle order and has been a consistent performer. He has played in 26 matches and has scored 825 runs, averaging 39.28 with a strike rate of 134.80.

2. Aaron Finch – 41.61:

Aaron Finch has the second best average among batsmen in T20Is. The burly right-hander is yet to play a Test but is a trusted opening batsman for Australia in the shortest format of the game. He made his debut in 2011 against England at Adelaide and has played 24 T20Is until now, scoring 874 runs. He got those runs at an average of 41.61 with a superb strike rate of 151.47

1. Virat Kohli – 50.65:

India’s batting superstar, Virat Kohli is number one in this list. Kohli averages 50.65 in this format. Whatever, the format be, Kohli has been top class for India. The current Test captain has played 32 T20Is and has scored 1165 runs in them which includes 11 half-centuries.

All stats updated till 30th Jan 2016.

Also read:11 Fastest fifties in domestic T20s