Indian Cricketers Who Were Never Celebrated in T20Is

Indian cricket has seen several players who were not as celebrated in the T20 International (T20I) format despite their talent and contributions. Among them, Suresh Raina, Yusuf Pathan, and Virender Sehwag stand out for their impactful performances. Despite being part of the inaugural T20 World Cup-winning Indian squad, the cricket community never mentions their important part in India’s T20I history.

Let’s look at the three aforementioned Indian cricketers

Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina was a versatile player for India in T20Is, contributing both with the bat and the ball. In his T20I career, Raina played 78 matches, scoring 1,605 runs with an average of 29.18 and a strike rate of 134.87. He notched up one century and five half-centuries. One of his most memorable innings was his blistering 101 off 60 balls against South Africa in the 2010 T20 World Cup, where his knock included 9 fours and 5 sixes, showcasing his aggressive batting style. Another notable knock was his unbeaten 72 against Zimbabwe in 2010, where he played a crucial role in leading India to a strong position with a solid 44-ball innings, including 9 fours and 3 sixes.

Raina was also effective with the ball, often providing key breakthroughs as a part-time bowler. In 78 matches, he bowled 58.1 overs, taking 13 wickets with a best of 2/6, an average of 34.00, and an economy rate of 7.59. His notable bowling performances include his 2/6 against Sri Lanka in 2009, which helped India restrict the opposition to a low score, and his tight spell of 1/4 against Pakistan in 2012, which was crucial in a low-scoring game.

Mat	Inn	Run	HS	Avg	SR	Wkts	BBI	B. Avg	Eco
78	66	1605	101	29.18	134.87	13	2/6	34.00	7.59

Yusuf Pathan

Yusuf Pathan was known for his explosive batting and handy off-spin bowling. In T20Is, Pathan played 22 matches, scoring 236 runs at an average of 18.15 and a strike rate of 146.58. While he did not have any half-centuries or centuries in T20Is, his unbeaten 37 against Zimbabwe in 2010 was a significant knock where he showed his ability to finish games with his aggressive batting. Another impactful inning was his quick-fire 31 off 19 balls against West Indies in 2009, which helped boost India’s total in a tight contest.

Pathan was valuable in T20Is as a bowler, often breaking partnerships with his off-spin. He took 13 wickets in 17 innings, with a best of 2/22 and an average of 33.69. His spell of 2/22 against South Africa in 2009 was a standout performance, where he bowled economically and took crucial wickets. Another notable spell was his 2/23 against Sri Lanka in 2009, which helped India control the middle overs and restrict the opposition’s scoring.

Mat	Inn	Run	HS	Avg	SR	Wkts	BBI	B. Avg	Eco
22	18	236	37*	18.15	146.58	13	2/22	33.69	8.61

Virender Sehwag

Virender Sehwag was one of the most destructive openers in T20 cricket, known for his fearless batting. In his T20I career, Sehwag played 19 matches, scoring 394 runs at an average of 21.88 and a strike rate of 145.38. His highest score of 68 came against England in the 2007 T20 World Cup, where he played a crucial role in setting up a solid foundation for India. Another notable inning was his 64 against Sri Lanka in 2009, where his aggressive 36-ball knock, including 7 fours and 4 sixes, was key in India’s chase.

In addition to his batting, Sehwag also made a notable contribution in the 2007 T20 World Cup bowl-out against Pakistan. His accuracy in the bowl-out helped India secure a memorable win, demonstrating his value to the team beyond his batting.

Mat	Inn	Run	HS	Avg	SR
19	18	394	68	21.88	145.38