RP Singh or Kohli, Watson or Herath - vote for the greatest T20 World Cup performance
Two left-arm bowlers running through the opposition, an all-round show and a chasing masterclass in this set of match-ups
ESPNcricinfo staff
16-Oct-2022 • Updated on 17-Oct-2022
Which performance, according to you, is the greatest in the history of the men's T20 World Cup? We've shortlisted 16 outstanding entries, and will be pairing two each in match-ups for fans to vote on until we find a winner.
Voting for these match-ups has ended. RP Singh's 4-13 and Rangana Herath's 5-3 move to the quarter-finals.
RP Singh's 4-13 vs Virat Kohli's 82*
4-13 vs SA | RP Singh | Durban, 2007
India were defending 153 in a must-win contest to make the semi-finals, and RP Singh's sensational effort ensured it was more than enough. He made the perfect start, trapping Herschelle Gibbs leg-before with a lovely inswinger, and two balls later induced an edge from Graeme Smith that was taken splendidly by Dinesh Karthik at slip. In his third over, a vicious yorker - arguably the ball of the tournament - swung into Shaun Pollock's leg stump. South Africa could make the semis if they reached 126, but Singh ended those hopes by bowling Albie Morkel.
India were defending 153 in a must-win contest to make the semi-finals, and RP Singh's sensational effort ensured it was more than enough. He made the perfect start, trapping Herschelle Gibbs leg-before with a lovely inswinger, and two balls later induced an edge from Graeme Smith that was taken splendidly by Dinesh Karthik at slip. In his third over, a vicious yorker - arguably the ball of the tournament - swung into Shaun Pollock's leg stump. South Africa could make the semis if they reached 126, but Singh ended those hopes by bowling Albie Morkel.
82*(51) vs AUS | Virat Kohli | Mohali, 2016
Described by Kohli at the time as his finest T20 innings, this chasing masterclass came in a virtual quarter-final for the under-pressure hosts. Kohli was the embodiment of focused intensity as he almost single-handedly took his side to the semi-finals, with India scoring the 67 required in the final six overs. Kohli ran Australia ragged, scampering seven twos, to go alongside his 11 boundaries, three of them consecutive in the 18th over and four more in the penultimate over.
Described by Kohli at the time as his finest T20 innings, this chasing masterclass came in a virtual quarter-final for the under-pressure hosts. Kohli was the embodiment of focused intensity as he almost single-handedly took his side to the semi-finals, with India scoring the 67 required in the final six overs. Kohli ran Australia ragged, scampering seven twos, to go alongside his 11 boundaries, three of them consecutive in the 18th over and four more in the penultimate over.
Shane Watson's 3-34 & 72 (42) vs Rangana Herath's 5-3
3-34 & 72 (42) vs IND | Shane Watson | Colombo (RPS), 2012
Shane Watson finished as the top run-scorer and the second-highest wicket-taker in the 2012 edition, and his best came against India. He got Yuvraj Singh off a bouncer and a struggling Irfan Pathan in his second over, before removing Suresh Raina in the 20th. Then came the assault. Watson hit six sixes - he hit seven in total - before his first four as Australia overhauled their target comfortably in a nine-wicket win. He also picked up his third consecutive Player-of-the-Match award in the tournament.
Shane Watson finished as the top run-scorer and the second-highest wicket-taker in the 2012 edition, and his best came against India. He got Yuvraj Singh off a bouncer and a struggling Irfan Pathan in his second over, before removing Suresh Raina in the 20th. Then came the assault. Watson hit six sixes - he hit seven in total - before his first four as Australia overhauled their target comfortably in a nine-wicket win. He also picked up his third consecutive Player-of-the-Match award in the tournament.
5-3 vs NZ | Rangana Herath | Chattogram, 2014
Sri Lanka's rousing T20 World Cup triumph may have never occurred but for a spell of wizardry in the final Group 1 match. Chasing 120 under lights - with evening dew around - New Zealand were mugged by one of the great T20 spells. Herath wove a web of deception with his subtle skills. He didn't concede a run until his 14th ball, delivered 18 dots in 3.3 overs, removed four of the top six, ran out Martin Guptill, and returned to the attack to complete his five-for and a magnificent individual display.
Sri Lanka's rousing T20 World Cup triumph may have never occurred but for a spell of wizardry in the final Group 1 match. Chasing 120 under lights - with evening dew around - New Zealand were mugged by one of the great T20 spells. Herath wove a web of deception with his subtle skills. He didn't concede a run until his 14th ball, delivered 18 dots in 3.3 overs, removed four of the top six, ran out Martin Guptill, and returned to the attack to complete his five-for and a magnificent individual display.