The role of all-rounders is quite crucial in T20I cricket, as they can change the outcome of a match either with the bat or ball.
There have been many instances where prominent all-rounders have displayed their significant all-round skills, scoring vital runs and bringing much-needed breakthroughs.
Here, we’ll glance at the 5 best all-round performances in T20I cricket.
Glenn Maxwell (Australia): 103* & 3/10 vs England, 2018
Glenn Maxwell has proved his worth as an all-rounder for Australia as a dashing batting and a handy spinner. His one of the best all-round efforts came against rivals England in the Trans-Tasman T20I Tri-Series in 2018.
England batted in the first innings, and Maxwell bagged 3 wickets right at the time when England were looking to accelerate. He bowled only 2 overs, getting the wickets of well-set Eoin Morgan, Dawid Malan, and David Willey.
Later, with the bat, Maxwell single-handedly chased down the target of 156 runs set by England. He was on the crease in the first over after Australia lost 2 quick wickets.
Maxwell stitched a crucial partnership with D’Arcy Short to stabilise Australia’s ship. After Short’s dismissal, he couldn’t get support from the other end, but Maxwell put on a one-man army show.
He took Australia home with a six and brought up his second T20I hundred. Maxwell is the only player to score a century and take 3+ wickets in a T20I innings.
Dwayne Bravo (West Indies): 66* & 4/38 vs India, 2009
It was the group stage match in the 2009 T20 World Cup when Dwayne Bravo dished out a match-winning all-round performance against India.
First, the Caribbean all-rounder broke the back of India by taking 4 wickets for 38 runs. He dismissed Gautam Gambhir, MS Dhoni, and the Pathan brothers, helping the Windies restrict India to 153 runs.
During the chase, Bravo walked in at No. 4, with the Windies struggling at 42 for 2. But then he forged an important partnership with Lendl Simmons and helped the Windies chase the target with his unbeaten 66-run knock.
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Yuvraj Singh (India): 60* & 3/23 vs Sri Lanka, 2009
Yuvraj Singh is one of the best all-rounders produced by India in limited-overs cricket. He won many games for India with his all-round capabilities.
In the second T20I against Sri Lanka in 2009, Yuvraj showcased his all-round brilliance at his home ground in Mohali. While bowling, he dismissed 3 Sri Lankan batters in the middle, but despite his best efforts, they posted a mighty 206 runs on the board.
While chasing, Yuvraj came to bat at No. 4 when India were in a good position on 108 for 2. Then he formed an 80-run stand with MS Dhoni and finished off the proceedings with a six in the last over, remaining unbeaten on 60 off 25.
JP Duminy (South Africa): 51 & 3/18 vs Sri Lanka, 2013
JP Duminy stepped up as a saviour for South Africa on a slow track against Sri Lanka in 2013. In the first innings, South African batters struggled on the Colombo wicket.
Duminy scored a run-a-ball fifty to help South Africa reach a respectable total of 115 in 20 overs. While defending the total, he brought in his spin magic, trapping 3 Sri Lankan batters by conceding 18 runs.
Duminy’s vital all-round performance helped South Africa restrict Sri Lanka to 103 runs and win the match by 12 runs.
Shane Watson (Australia): 59 & 4/15 vs England, 2011
Shane Watson was a true asset for Australia as a pace-bowling all-rounder in his playing days. He racked up many wickets and scored heaps of runs for the Aussies in T20I cricket.
In the first T20I against England in 2011, Watson powered Australia to 157 runs in the first innings. He opened the innings along with David Warner and put on an 84-run stand, contributing 59 runs at a strike rate of 190.
Later, Watson kept England under check when their main bowlers were going for runs. He cut off their lower middle order along with dismissing a set Eoin Morgan.
He returned with figures of 4 for 15, but couldn’t defend the target on the last ball, losing the match by a wicket. Watson’s performance went in vain, but he won the Player of the Match award.
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