The 15th season of IPL started in a grand manner on 26th March. The tournament has proven to be a pioneer in the game of cricket and has changed how the world used to look at franchise cricket. There have been several legends in the game. However, choosing the best always proves to be a tricky one. Ahead of IPL15, the online gambling company Betway organized a discussion with Betway ambassador Kevin Pieterson, Commentators Ian Bishop and Akash Chopra, and South African stars Rassie van der Dussen and Lungi Ngidi. In the discussion, the panelist revealed their T20 goats across five categories. All the experts had their special observations and came to a conclusion which is hard to argue.
The most consistent T20 Run-scorer of all time
The most consistent T20 run-scorer of all time is none other than “the run-machine” Virat Kohli. The South African player Van der Dussen opined that Kohli always seems to be making runs. He uses a simple, classic technique that is applicable to test cricket. But Kohli is also always blessed with the power game.
The commentator Akash Chopra is of the opinion “He (Virat Kohli) actually changed the perception completely that 30 is the new 50 in T20 cricket. He is averaging 50 for a long time.”
Virat Kohli has been a consistent name in World Cricket and has changed the perception of how scoring runs in T20 was seen.
Why Chris Gayle is the Most Destructive Batter Ever?
The best six-hitter in T20 history is Chris Gayle. There is no other player who could take the ball into the boundary as Gayle did.
Akash Chopra said that nobody would come close to Chris Gayle.
Kevin Pietersen argued that just the flat bat smack of Gayle and it’s so dismissive.
According to Ngidi, “looking at Gayle from the top of your run-up it will look like he’s standing right next to you. One swing and it’s out of the stadium”.
Ian Bishop opined that Gayle changed and helped to evolve the way T20 batting was. That’s why he thinks Gayle is the goat of t20 batting.
Which Mystery Spinner was the most difficult to face?
Kevin Pieterson argued that Sunil Narine is the spinner who was the most difficult to face, because of his variations. Pieterson also said that he had no idea where the ball was going.
Akash Chopra described Narine’s bowling style in a different way.
“it’s like he’s going to a foreign country. Maybe I go to China and everybody speaks a different language and I find myself completely at sea. You have no answer to the question that you’ve been asked. Somebody bowling a maiden super over. I mean it takes some doing”
Ian Bishop recalled Narine’s bowling and said “it was unfair really”
Best Death Overs Bowler: The Sri Lankan Assassin
When it comes to Death over the bowler, there is no name other than Laith Malinga.
Van der Dussen recalled the moment when he faced Malinga’s over.
Ngidi opined that “those Yorkers are absolutely crucial and deadly”
Akash Chopra recalled the wonderful death over by Lasith Malinga which brought Mumbai Indians an IPL title. Malinga delivered a slow yorker in the last ball with much confidence, which bring a win to the team.
Best Fielder: The South African Sorcerer
According to Ian Bishop, there is nobody better than AB de Villiers in any area of the field.
Van Dussen is of the opinion that “some of the catches and run-outs he (de Villiers) inflicted were, yeah truly mind-boggling”
According to Ngidi the presence de Villiers created on the field and what he brought to the team have automatically raised other players’ games.
The panel discussed some of the biggest legends in the history of cricket who have made their name in the T20 format.
