Cricket today is almost entirely a batsman's game. Flat pitches, small boundaries and bigger bats have tilted the game heavily in favor of the batsmen. The bowlers have got nowhere to hide and, the advent of T20s, where the batsmen go after them from the first ball itself have made it even more difficult.

The T20 format has brought about a revolution where the bowlers are more than grateful to keep the run rate down, rather than to take wickets. India made a wonderful foray into the shortest format of the game, winning the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007. Over the years India is blessed to have got some big hitters in their line up who are capable of clearing any boundary in the world.

In this article we will take a look at those batters with most sixes for India in T20Is.

Most Sixes for India in T20Is

5. Hardik Pandya | 95

Hardik Pandya debuted in T20I cricket in 2016 and swiftly established himself as a key member of India's preferred playing eleven, serving as a seam-bowling all-rounder. His T20I career reached its peak in 2024, marked by outstanding all-round performances during the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, helping India clinch the title. In terms of batting, Pandya has struck 95 sixes across 90 T20I innings.

Pandya has been included in the Men in Blue's 15-member squad for this year's Asia Cup. If Pandya manages to hit five more maximums in the Asia Cup, then he will go on to surpass KL Rahul's tally of 99 sixes in the shortest format. This will see the all-rounder become the Indian player with the fourth-most sixes in T20Is.

Also Read: Highest Wicket Taker in Asia Cup History (ODI + T20)

4. KL Rahul | 99

KL Rahul, who was once a consistent member of the T20I squad now finds himself out of favour in the T20I setup. Between 2016 and 2022, he played in 72 T20I matches and mostly batted in the top three.

He hit 99 sixes in 68 T20I innings. Following the T20 World Cup 2022, he was excluded from the shortest format due to his outdated approach to T20 cricket, as he did not improve his intent and strike rate.

3. Virat Kohli | 124

The Run Machine Virat Kohli has hit 124 sixes in 117 T20I innings for India. He is one of the most consistent players in the Indian team, with an average of 48.69. He made his T20I debut for India in 2010 and since then he has been a cornerstone of India's batting. Kohli also recorded 4,188 runs in T20I format, which included 38 fifties. 

“King Kohli” was part of the Indian team that won the T20 World Cup in June 2024. After winning the trophy, Kohli announced his retirement from the format. 

2. Suryakumar Yadav | 146*

Yet another batsman who has made six-hitting look extremely easy is India's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav. Despite making his T20I debut in March 2021 with a match against England, the elegant middle-order batter has already launched 146 maximums in just 79 innings for Team India.

Having the ability to hit sixes at all parts of the ground with relative ease makes Yadav, a.k.a SKY, draw a comparison with South Africa’s great AB De Villiers who was called Mr. 360 in cricket. His centuries have also come against big teams like England, South Africa, and New Zealand apart from Sri Lanka. He has hit the most number of T20I sixes against West Indies (35).  

1. Rohit Sharma | 205

Former Indian T20I captain Rohit Sharma hit the most sixes for India in T20Is, having hit 205 sixes in 159 games he played. He made his debut for India in the 2007 T20 World Cup against South Africa. However, he failed to cement his place in the team. The turnaround came in the 2013 Champions Trophy when MS Dhoni promoted him up the order to open the batting with Shikhar Dhawan.

Also Read: Most matches by an Indian in international cricket

The mighty Australians have been Rohit's favourite opponent in this format against whom he has hit 29 sixes in 23 matches with Bangladesh being the second, conceding 22 sixes off his willow. Fondly called the “Hitman”, Rohit Sharma hung up his boots from T20Is after delivering the 2024 T20 World Cup title for India.   

Asia Cup 2025 will be held in UAE from 9 to 28 September. Due to T20 World Cup 2026, this time Asia Cup will also be organized in T20 format. India is being seen as the biggest contender in the Asia Cup this time.

Over the years, there have been many bowlers who have made a significant impact for their sides in the Asia Cup and are even featured in the list of highest wicket taker in Asia Cup history. Players like Muthiah Muralidaran, Lasith Malinga and many more are certified legends for their sides, and they fully deserve the status after their brilliant bowling performances over the years.

With the Asia Cup 2025 right around the corner, let's have a look at the highest wicket taker in Asia Cup history.

Also Read: Highest Run Scorer in Asia Cup History (ODI + T20)

Highest Wicket Taker in Asia Cup History | ODI Format

1. Muthiah Muralidaran

Muthiah Muralidaran is considered to be one of the greatest bowlers in the history of cricket. He has picked up 30 wickets in 24 Asia Cup matches at an economy of 3.75 and an average of 28.83. He was part of Sri Lanka’s Asia Cup titles wins in 1997, 2004 and 2008.

2. Lasith Malinga

Lasith Malinga is second on the list of best bowlers in Asia Cup history. He has been one of Sri Lanka's greatest pacers, especially in white-ball cricket. Malinga played in 5 editions from 2004 to 2018 and took 29 wickets at an economy of 4.65 and an average of 20.55. He finished as the highest wicket-taker in the 2010 and 2014 editions and won the Asia Cup in 2004 and 2014.

3. Ajantha Mendis

Former Sri Lanka mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis is third on the list. Mendis took 26 wickets in just 8 matches from 2008 to 2014 at an economy of 3.98 and an average of 10.42. He was the highest wicket-taker at the 2008 edition and helped Sri Lanka to the Asia Cup titles in 2008 and 2014.

4. Saeed Ajmal

Saeed Ajmal is the only non-Sri Lankan bowler in the top 5 bowlers with the most wickets in Asia Cup history. Ajmal took 25 wickets in 12 matches between 2008 and 2014 at an average of 19.25 and an economy rate of 4.21. He was part of Pakistan’s Asia Cup-winning team in 2012.

5. Ravindra Jadeja

India's star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja completes the top 5 list of the bowlers with most wickets in the Asia Cup. He played in the 2010 to 2023 editions of the Asia Cup so far and took 25 wickets at an average of 26.28 and an economy rate of 4.34. 

Also Read: Asia Cup 2025 date announced; BCCI yet to confirm participation against Pakistan

Highest Wicket Taker in Asia Cup History | T20 Format

1. Bhuvneshwar Kumar

The top wicket-taker in Asia Cup T20 history is India’s pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who has scalped 13 wickets in six matches at an impressive average of 9.46. The 35-year-old, who is currently not part of India’s squad, is also known for his skillful death and new ball bowling.

Bhuvi has an excellent economy rate of only 5.34 and is the only bowler to take a five-wicket haul in the shorter edition of the tournament. The right-arm medium pacer’s best figures of 5/4 — also his T20I best, came against Afghanistan in the 2022 edition of the tournament.

2. Amjad Javed

The second-highest wicket-taker of this list is Amjad Javed of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), who has featured only in the 2016 edition of the tournament, where he led the team. In the only edition he played in this format, he has taken 12 wickets in seven matches at an average of 14.08.

The 45-year-old has a relatively higher economy rate of 7.34 as compared to Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Javed’s best bowling figures in an innings came against Sri Lanka during the inaugural edition of the T20I format of the Asia Cup. The right-arm pacer took three wickets for 25 runs to record his best figures in the tournament.

3. Mohammad Naveed

The third-highest wicket-taker in the event’s history is also the UAE’s Mohammad Naveed, with 11 wickets to his name in seven matches. Like Amjad Javed, he made only one appearance during the 2016 Asia Cup, where his team advanced after playing qualifying rounds.

The 38-year-old has an excellent average of 13.18 with a reasonable economy rate of 5.24. Naveed’s best bowling figures of 3-14 came against Hong Kong in 2016. With his bowling performance, the UAE restricted Hong Kong to 146-7 in their 20 overs. In reply, the UAE successfully chased down the total and won by nine wickets.

4. Rashid Khan

Afghanistan spin wizard Rashid Khan has taken 161 wickets in just 96 T20Is for Afghanistan and is the leading wicket taker in T20 cricket. However, he is unlikely to be fourth on the list by his standards. He has so far taken 11 wickets despite playing eight matches, a number higher than all the top three bowlers.

The leg-spinner has an average of 18.36 and boasts a slightly higher economy rate of 6.51. His best figures of 3-22 came against Bangladesh in 2022, resulting in a thrilling victory over the Tigers.

5. Hardik Pandya

India all-rounder Hardik Pandya is fifth on the list. The right-arm pacer has scalped 11 wickets in eight matches so far, with an average of 18.81 and the highest economy rate of (7.01) among the top five bowlers.

Notably, his best figures of 3-8 against arch-rivals Pakistan during the 2016 edition. Thanks to Hardik Pandya’s bowling, India bundled out Pakistan for a modest total of 83 and successfully chased it down in 15.3 overs.

East Zone announced their squad for the upcoming Duleep Trophy 2025 on Friday, featuring a bowling lineup reminiscent of an Indian team, including Mohammed Shami, Mukesh Kumar, and Akash Deep. However, there is one Bengal pacer who made an entry into the squad after performing well in Ranji Trophy in last two seasons.

Bengal's medium pacer all-rounder Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal has been named in the West Zone squad. Ishan Kishan will lead the side, whereas Abhimanyu Easwaran will be the vice-captain of the team. Right after his selection, Suraj shared his thoughts in an exclusive interview with Sportz Point.

Suraj nearly left cricket in 2023

There was one time when Suraj wanted to leave cricket and went into depression. Suraj had already lost his father, but his mother, brother and coach supported him immensely, and their belief turned into a result when he got selected for the Ranji Trophy 2023-24 season after a great season with Calcutta Customs Club.

Since then, Suraj has been Bengal's highest wicket-taker in consecutive seasons and has taken 60 wickets in just 12 first-class matches at an outstanding average of 15.43. Suraj feels it is his consistency and process that have given him the results so far.

"Feeling very happy after the selection. These selections give you more confidence that I have been doing well. But, I will have to justify this with better performances," Suraj told Sportz Point.

Reflecting back on his journey, Suraj feels he is on the right track but needs to focus on the present without looking too far.

"You know that I was about to leave cricket. But, I have been able to go through that period and representing Bengal in Ranji Trophy was a dream. Now, when I am going into the next stages of Indian cricket, I need to focus on the things at hand and do what has worked well for me."

Read Also: Exclusive Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal: "Jumping out" from tough times to become Bengal's star of the season

"I am honoured"

It will not be new for Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal to bowl alongside Mohammed Shami, Mukesh Kumar or Akash Deep. In the 2024-25 season, Suraj bowled in tandem with India's one of best, Mohammed Shami. But getting selected for the East Zone team when all of these three bowlers are available makes it more special for him. 

"To be honest, I am honoured. Getting into a squad where all of them (Shami, Mukesh and Akash Deep) are there feels special. All of them have played for India, and I am just willing to learn as much as possible from them."

However, it is quite clear as well that with Shami, Mukesh and Akash Deep being there, it would be hard for Suraj to get a game. But for Suraj, he never thinks about selection before the match. For him, selection is never in his hands, and that's why he does not want to think about something which is not under his control.

"Even in Ranji Trophy, I do not think about selection. I try to focus on the preparation and getting ready for them. That has been my habit. So, in Duleep Trophy, I will just focus on my preparation," Suraj expressed.

Read Also: Exclusive Akash Pandey: Former Bengal U19 star is inspired by Sarfraz Khan's journey, takes 9/71 against Goa in Ranji Trophy

"Don't want to think too far"

It was in tournaments like the Duleep Trophy where Mukesh Kumar and Akash Deep made their names before getting that India cap. Is Suraj thinking about that too?

"No. I just want to keep doing what I have done well to get here," he answered.

"Yes, the dream is to get there (the Indian team). But I do not want to think too far and lose my focus. I trust in God and whatever he chooses for him. I just want to keep improving myself."

Apart from his bowling, Suraj last season proved himself with the bat as well. With his maiden first-class ton against Punjab in the last of the season, Suraj showed he is ready to be an all-rounder as well. By the way, he also took 8 wickets in that match.

"It is about contributing to the team, with bat, ball or fielding. Helping the team is the main goal. Yes, I have been working on my batting as well. So, feels good to have a first-class ton beside my name, but I need to keep improving.

Read Also: Fast, accurate and fearless: Nuruddin Mondal bowling bouncer to life every day | Bengal Cricket Exclusive

East Zone squad for Duleep Trophy 2025

Ishan Kishan (C), Abhimanyu Easwaran (VC), Sandeep Pattnaik, Virat Singh, Denish Das, Sridam Paul, Sharandeep Singh, Kumar Kushagra, Riyan Parag, Utkarsh Singh, Manishi, Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep, Mohammed Shami.

Stand bys: Mukhtar Hussain, Aasirwad Swain, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Swastik Samal, Sudip Kr Gharami, Rahul Singh.

Duleep Trophy 2025 Schedule

As per the latest ICC rankings, India's Abhishek Sharma clinched the No.1 ranking in the T20I batting ladder. Meantime, Shubman Gill continued to be ICC No. 1-ranked ODI batter. On the other hand, Jasprit Bumrah strengthened his position at the top of the ICC Men's Test Bowling rankings.

Hardik Pandya continued to be No.1 all-rounder in T20Is while Ravindra Jadeja achieved his career-best 29th ranking in ICC Test Batting ladderboard. With his 150 in Manchester, Joe Root stabilised his position at the top of the ICC Men's Test Batting rankings.

Read Also: Most runs in a series in Tests

ICC Rankings: Test

ICC Rankings: ODI

ICC Rankings: T20I

The entire cricketing world now recognizes the name Akash Deep, who dismantled the English batting lineup at Edgbaston, helping India achieve a historic victory in Birmingham.

His first-ever 10-wicket haul in a match places him alongside the greats of Indian cricket, such as Chetan Sharma, Kapil Dev, and Ishant Sharma. 

Not only that, he has now listed himself beside legend Michael Holding for dismissing four of England’s top five batsmen in a single Test innings (Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook, and Ollie Pope), all without catches, relying on bowled or LBW dismissals. 

"Keep an eye on this guy," Goswami tweeted in 2020

Shreevats Goswami, a former Bengal and IPL cricketer, recognised early on that Akash Deep was destined for the international stage. In fact, he was the first to alert the world about Akash Deep back in 2020.

Right after Akash Deep's only second Ranji Trophy game, where Akash Deep picked up a five-wicket haul, Shreevats tweeted out, "Keep an eye on this guy, Akash Deep is a rare 'fast 'bowler in domestic cricket. Surely to watch out for in future. And he can tonk a few too."

Keep an eye on this guy , Akash deep is a rare “fast “ bowler in domestic cricket . Surely to watch out for in future. And he can tonk a few too . https://t.co/2wXw3MUHsg

— Shreevats goswami (@shreevats1) January 7, 2020

"Yes, I knew from the beginning that he was built for greatness," Shreevats told Sportz Point after Akash Deep's historic spell at Edgbaston. 

Reflecting on Akash's maiden five-wicket haul in an innings, Shreevats remarked, "It was just a matter of time. After the first inning, I called him and said that he would get it in the second inning."

Read Also | Fast, accurate and fearless: Nuruddin Mondal bowling bouncer to life every day | Bengal Cricket Exclusive

"He hits the gloves hard"

What led him to believe Akash Deep could become a future international star? "It was his pace and strength," Shreevats replied.

"He was raw. Some bowlers hit the gloves very hard, and Akash Deep was one of them," he recalled, emphasising the potential he saw in him during the Ranji Trophy and other domestic tournaments.

"He was very young back then, and I knew with time, he would get faster and stronger. This is exactly what happened in the next two to three years."

In the next three years, Akash Deep played in the Indian Premier League alongside his favourite Virat Kohli and also helped Bengal reach the final of the Ranji Trophy, and then in 2024 went on to earn the Test cap as well. 

"You see him, you will notice how strong he is - physically and mentally. He has gone through so many tough times, but nothing could distract him from his goal.

Great singing for @RCBTweets . Akash deep is a gun bowler who can clock 140+ consistently. He’s fit and strong . Have been amazing for Bengal recently . So happy for him ! Amazing guy too . Hope he gets a few game to show his class . pic.twitter.com/cyWe47djWJ

— Shreevats goswami (@shreevats1) August 30, 2021

Read Also | "Nothing to celebrate yet, the goal is to win the Ranji Trophy:" Bengal's Akash Deep after match-winning 10 wicket-haul

Akash Deep's journey - a testament to mental strength

Since his early days, Akash Deep has faced many challenges in his career and personal life.

Born in Bihar, he initially encountered rejection from his father regarding his pursuit of cricket. In 2010, he moved to Durgapur, West Bengal, in search of a job and later relocated to Kolkata.

With the assistance of a few local club officials, he signed with the United Club and began his journey in Bengal cricket. He excelled in local club cricket and was soon fast-tracked to the Bengal U-23 team, where he played a pivotal role in helping Bengal reach the final of the C.K. Nayudu tournament and win the U-23 One-Day tournament.

He quickly progressed to the Bengal senior team, and as they say, the rest is history. Even a career-threatening back injury and the loss of his brother and father within six months in 2015 could not break his mental resolve.

Following the Edgbaston Test, he revealed that his sister is battling cancer and dedicated his performance to her. These experiences illustrate his remarkable mental toughness.

Read Also | Akash Deep from Ranji Trophy to test cricket 

"He always had the hunger:" Shreevats

Along with his resilience, another quality that sets Akash apart is his hunger for improvement and greatness.

"He used to live in the C.A.B. dormitory. Many cricketers were around, but whenever I visited the indoor facilities or gym, I would always see Akash Deep putting in the effort. He always had the hunger to reach the international level," Shreevats shared.

Read Also | Bengal Players in IPL 2025 – Full List & Performance

"Duckett will be Akash Deep's bunny"

Shreevats feels Akash Deep's ability to hit the wicket hard and extract something from the pitch will help him even on flatter pitches. Moreover, he can beat the batter's outside edge and inside edge, which makes him more threatening. 

"He will beat your outside edge and inside edge. This is something which sets him apart from the other domestic bowlers."

"Look at the wicket of Joe Root - how he went wide of the crease, angled the ball and then straightened it to get Root out was just incredible."

Along with Joe Root's wicket, Shreevats was impressed to see how Akash Deep got Ben Duckett out. He feels that if Akash Deep and Ben Duckett face each other more in test cricket, he will make Ben his bunny. 

"Just like Stuart Broad made David Warner his bunny in test cricket, I have the feeling that Akash Deep can also make Ben Duckett his bunny. Around the wicket, with the new ball - he will be deadly," Shreevats expressed. 

Ben Duckett vs Akash Deep in Tests. 🤯

3 - Innings.
3 - Wickets.
3 - Batting Average. pic.twitter.com/6dQHTeiOYA

— All Cricket Records (@Cric_records45) July 6, 2025

Who should share the new ball at Lord's?

 Shreevats feels that in the next test at Lord's, Akash Deep should share the new ball alongside Jasprit Bumrah. Throughout the entire second test, Akash Deep showed how lethal he is with the new ball, and that is why he wants him to run in with the new ball. 

"He is capable of getting you wickets in any given situation. But, just how he has got Duckett and others out, I feel he should share the new ball along with Bumrah," Shreevats said. 

Besides his bowling, Shreevats has always praised Akash Deep's batting ability from the start. He feels that Akash can even score a test ton in the next three to four years, given the opportunity.