Constructing a greatest-of-all-time T20 lineup is a daunting endeavor, given the abundance of destructive batsmen, elite all-rounders, and legendary bowlers the game has seen. English paceman Reece Topley took on this difficult task by revealing his ultimate T20 lineup, which boasts some of the biggest names to have played the shortest format. Nonetheless, his final roster sparked debate online as one of cricket’s most decorated T20 superstars was left out.
Reece Topley reveals his dream T20 lineup
The selection crafted by Topley features a mix of iconic figures from the past and contemporary superstars who have left an indelible mark on 20-over cricket.
Power-packed openers
To launch the innings, Topley chose the destructive pairing of Chris Gayle and Jos Buttler, offering a potent blend of brute force and adaptability. Throughout his stellar career, Gayle piled up 14,562 runs across 463 appearances, registering an astonishing 22 tons and 88 half-centuries at a scoring rate of 144.75. His partner Buttler has similarly cemented his status as a premier run-getter in the format, accumulating 15,062 runs in 529 outings, featuring nine hundreds and 108 fifties.
Formidable middle order
The engine room of this lineup features three sensational batting maestros: Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, and AB de Villiers. Kohli boasts an impressive aggregate of 14,218 runs in the format, maintaining a stellar average of 42.44 alongside 10 hundreds and 110 half-centuries. Suryakumar brings high-tempo scoring to the side, having garnered 9,615 runs in 367 matches with an aggressive strike rate of 152.54 and six centuries. Meanwhile, the legendary De Villiers wrapped up his career with 9,424 runs, averaging 37.24 at a blistering strike rate of 150.13, including four tons.
Elite all-rounders
To ensure balance and depth, Topley slotted in Kieron Pollard and Shahid Afridi as his primary all-rounders. Pollard stands as one of the busiest competitors in T20 history, amassing nearly 15,000 runs in over 750 appearances besides offering crucial breakthroughs with his medium-pace bowling. Afridi, celebrated for his explosive hitting and crafty leg-spin, ended his career with 347 wickets at an impressive economy rate of 6.78, highlighting his utility as a complete dual-threat player.
Destructive bowling unit
The bowling department is loaded with sheer quality, consisting of Lasith Malinga, Brett Lee, Jasprit Bumrah, and Muttiah Muralitharan, offering a perfect mix of raw speed, death-overs precision, and spin mastery. Malinga claimed 390 wickets in the format at a superb average under 20 and a tidy economy of 7.07, while Bumrah has anchored India’s bowling efforts in recent years and guided Mumbai Indians to five IPL trophies. Lee brings rapid pace to the attack, while Muralitharan provides an unparalleled spin option, rounding out a group of proven match-winners.
Omission of Rohit Sharma
The most glaring absentee from Topley’s team is undoubtedly Rohit Sharma. The former Indian skipper has established himself as a towering figure in the 20-over game over a highly decorated career spanning nearly two decades. Leaving out Rohit is a surprising choice given his massive footprint in T20 cricket, where he has accumulated in excess of 12,000 runs, featuring eight hundreds and 84 half-centuries.
With a legacy built on consistent performances in both international matches and franchise tournaments globally, his exclusion from this dream team has naturally generated significant conversation among cricket enthusiasts.
