T20 World Cup is the biggest stage for any cricketer to display his talent to the world in the T20I format. It is the modern format of cricket, and this T20I format demands the 11 cricketers to give their 100%, be it batting, bowling or fielding.
All-rounders have been in demand in this format. If an average bowler can smack a few big shots, he might be preferred over a specialist bowler in this game. Similarly, a batting all-rounder or a part-time wicketkeeper but solid batter offers more value than a specialist batter or a specialist wicketkeeper.
Speaking about the all-rounders’ importance in T20Is, here’s a list of two such Indian players who have scored a half-century and also taken a wicket in the same game of the T20 World Cup.
1. Hardik Pandya scored a 50 and took wicket in today’s T20 World Cup match
Hardik Pandya has joined this elite club today. The pace-bowling all-rounder smashed a brilliant 27-ball 50* while batting at number six for India in the T20 WC match against Bangladesh right now.
After that, Pandya opened the wickets tally for India by dismissing Litton Das caught out in the fifth over of the innings. Thus, Pandya has become the second player to achieve this unique feat.
2. Virat Kohli
The first player to achieve this unique record for India was Virat Kohli. In fact, he did twice in two different T20 World Cup tournaments. The first instance came against Pakistan in a Super 8s match of the T20 WC 2012 in Sri Lanka.
50 runs + 1 Wicket for India in T20WC match
— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar) June 22, 2024
Virat Kohli vs PAK (2012)
Virat Kohli vs WI (2016)
𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗸 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘆𝗮 vs BAN (2024)*#INDvsBAN
Four years later, in the semifinal against West Indies, Kohli smacked a brilliant half-century at the Wankhede Stadium. He even took a wicket with his medium pace, but unfortunately for him, India failed to win the match.
