Top 5 batting performances in T20 format in 2018

The T20 format in 2018 has seen a number of blistering performances. From Dinesh Karthik’s last ball heroics to Rohit Sharma’s notching up his fourth ton in the 20-over format. Here is our top five batting performances in T20 format for the year 2018.

Glenn Maxwell 103* off 58 balls vs England, Hobart

Glenn Maxwell was under the spotlight for his low scores and was keen to make a statement. The all-rounder produced a scintillating innings to smash his second ton in the T20 format. He came to the crease as his team was precariously placed while chasing a score of 156 posted By England. He produced a brisk innings and scored unbeaten 103 runs with the help of ten four and four sixes to see Australia cruise to a comfortable win in Hobart. The innings truly turn things around for Maxwell, who has suffered through a lean run for past couple of years.

Rohit Sharma 111 off 61 vs West Indies, Lucknow

The flat pitch at new Atal Bihari Vajpayee Stadium saw Rohit Sharma deliver a blistering innings for India at the top of the innings. The rest of the batting struggled but Rohit produced a fluent innings to notch up his fourth ton in the T20 format. He scored 111 runs off 61 balls to help India to post a daunting total on the board.  He smashed eight fours and seven sixes in his innings and went berserk in the final overs of the innings.

Dinesh Karthik 29* off 8 balls vs Bangladesh, Colombo

This was the finest innings played by Dinesh Karthik donning India shirt at the international level. He came to the crease with India needing 34 runs off 12 balls to win Nidahas Trophy. Bangladesh looked to have the game in the bag but Karthik had other ideas as he smashed a six off the first ball he faced in his innings. India was lucky enough to score 22 runs off the penultimate over of the innings. Soumya Sarkar bowled the final over of the innings and managed to bowl three good deliveries to concede only three runs. Karthik was able to smash a boundary off to see India needing five runs off the last ball of the innings. Karthik truly kept his nerves and smashed a straight six to see Indian players and fans spark off wild celebrations. He produced a match-winning cameo of 29 runs off 8 balls to see India clinch Nidahas Tri-series Trophy.

Aaron Finch 172 off 76 vs Zimbabwe, Harare

Australia T20 captain Aaron Finch showed imperious form during the tri-series played in Zimbabwe. He showed his destructive abilities with the bat and smashed Zimbabwe bowlers to all parts of the ground. He produced a mesmerizing innings to smash 172 runs off 76 runs and break his own record for the highest individual score in the T20 format. He previously scored 156 runs against England in the T20 game played in 2013.Finch smashed sixteen fours and ten sixes in his innings. He added 223 runs with D’Arcy Short for the opening wicket.

 Fakhar Zaman 91 off 46 vs Australia, Harare

Pugnacious opener certainly has been bankable performer for Pakistan in the shorter formats of the game. Zaman delivered a match-winning performance against Australia in the finals of tri-series played in Zimbabwe. In pursuit of 184 runs, Pakistan got off to worst possible start as Sahibzada Farhan and Hussain Talat perished for ducks in the first over of the innings. Zaman played exceedingly well and smashed 91 off 46 balls with the help of 12 boundaries. He added a crucial partnership with Shoaib Malik to rebuild the innings. Due to Zaman’s superb innings, Pakistan completed the chase with four balls to spare.