The IPL’s 15th season is off to a tremendous start, and the season has lived up to the hype. The Mega auction provided an opportunity to renew squads and address gaps in all franchises. The first few games have not disappointed, with several new players putting on stunning displays.
It is impossible to anticipate anything based solely on a team’s previous performance. Yet, when we asked some of cricket’s luminaries about their preferred team in the IPL 2022, they voted for the Mumbai Indians (MI). Perhaps they believe Mumbai would benefit from playing on their home turf, or they have faith in Rohit Sharma’s captaincy abilities.
We invited our panel, which included Betway ambassador Kevin Pietersen, pundits Ian Bishop and Aakash Chopra, as well as South African greats Rassie van der Dussen and Lungi Ngidi, to pick their T20 GOATs in five categories.
The most consistent T20 run-scorer of all time
Virat Kohli is the only name that comes to mind when we talk about consistency and class. And whether we’re talking about Test cricket, ODI cricket, or T20 cricket, the name Virat Kohli is instantly recognizable. This man demonstrates why he is regarded as one of cricket’s GOATs.
When asked who was the most consistent run-scorer, Rassie van der Dussen responded, “Virat Kohli just always seems to be making runs“. “He has sort of simple technique, classic technique, which obviously applies in test cricket. But he has also got the power game,” Rassie Van Dussen said of Kohli’s batting technique and amazing skill.
Aakash Chopra responded to the same question by saying “He actually changed the perception completely that 30 is the new 50 in T20 cricket. He was averaging 50 for a very long time.”
Why Chris Gayle is the most destructive batter ever
We all know that Twenty20 is a game of destruction and battering. And when we think of Hitting Sixes and devastating batting, Chris Gayle is the first name that springs to mind. Legends shared their thoughts on Gayle’s T20 storm in response to a query regarding the most destructive batsman.
Aakash Chopra said that “Nobody, I think, comes close to Christopher Henry Gayle”
Kevin Pieterson, who was once a bowler’s worst nightmare, stated “The pick-up on the mid-on, just the flat-bat smack. It’s so dismissive”
And, according to Ian Bishop, “He changed and helped to evolve the way T20 batting was. And that’s why I think He’s the GOAT of T20 batting”.
Which mystery spinner was the most difficult to face
Spinners were intended to perish in T20. Slow bowlers, on the other hand, have progressed well above expectations. In T20 cricket, there are some fantastic spinners who have not only made their mark but are still a mystery to face. Sunil Narine, according to our analysts, is the most dangerous spinner in the T20 format.
Pietersen said, “Sunil Narine, because of his variations. I had no idea which way it was going.”
Sunil Narine’s bowling motion was discussed by Chopra, “It’s like going to a foreign country. Maybe I go to China and everybody speaks a different language and I find myself completely at sea and you have no answer to the question that you’ve been asked. Somebody bowling a maiden super over, I mean, it takes some doing.”
The genius of Lasith Malinga
Lasith Malinga’s name is often associated with death bowling. His leg-breaking yorkers and unconventional movement have caused problems for batsmen in death overs on multiple occasions.
Lasith Malinga, according to Pietersen, is the best in death bowling.
Dussen said, “I’ve never faced anything like that before in my life.”
Lungi Ngidi, a fast bowler himself, admitted that “those yorkers are absolutely crucial and deadly.”
Malinga’s performance in the IPL 2020 final has left Akash Chopra speechless. These figures demonstrate Malinga’s dominance versus specialist bowlers.
A ‘mind-boggling’ South African fielder
In limited overs cricket, whether it’s ODI or T20, fielders have always been crucial. They can affect the course of the game at any point in limited-overs cricket. AB de Villiers has established himself as a match-changing fielder.
Ian Bishop commented on ABD’s fielding ability, saying, “I am not sure that too many are better in any area of the field than AB de Villiers”
Dussen is also heavily influenced by ABD’s fielding, “Some of the catches and run outs he inflicted were yeah, truly mind-boggling,” he said.
Lungi Ngidi, a teammate of AB de Villiers, remarked that his presence is enough to boost the team’s performance.