Since the inception of T20 cricket, the game has witnessed dramatic changes.
Batters are expected to score at an explosive strike rate to make the most of the 120 deliveries bowled in a T20 innings.
With the massive pressure put on the cricketers, there are times when cricketers don’t perform at their best and produce an underwhelming performance in a T20 match.
Even some of the legendary cricketers have experienced an off day and succumbed to the pitch conditions.
With that said, let’s have a look at the few slowest T20 knocks by Indians.
Slowest T20 knocks by Indians
MS Dhoni - 9 off 27 balls vs Australia, SR 33.33, 2008
MS Dhoni registered an unwanted record during the only T20I of India’s tour of Australia in 2008. Electing to bat first, the Indians batters struggled at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The visitors were reduced to 20/4 in 3.2 overs. Later, captain MS Dhoni walked out to bat to resurrect India’s innings. India soon lost one wicket as Dhoni tried to steadied the innings. He scored just nine runs off 27 balls at a strike rate of 33.33 before he fell to David Hussey. India were later bundled out for 74 in just 17.3 overs. In reply, Australia chased the required target in 11.2 overs to win the game by nine wickets.
MS Dhoni - 5 off 12 balls vs South Africa, SR 41.66, 2009
MS Dhoni once again features in the list for the slowest T20 knock by an Indian. Chasing 131, India were reeling at 3/56 against South Africa before MS Dhoni came into bat during an ICC World Twenty20 clash in Nottingham in 2009. Just like other Indian batters, MS Dhoni struggled to get going as he scored just five runs off 12 balls at a strike rate of 41.66. He later departed after an unfortunate run-out. Following Dhoni’s dismissal, India continued to struggle as they could only manage 118/8 in their 20 overs.
MS Dhoni - 11 off 23 balls vs West Indies, SR 47.82, 2009
The MS Dhoni-led Indian cricket team produced another lacklustre performance against West Indies during a group match in the ICC World Twenty20 at Lord’s in 2009. Opting to bat first, India lost their first three wickets for just 29 runs in 4.2 overs. Dhoni later joined Yuvraj Singh at the crease. While Yuvraj scored runs at one end, Dhoni looked out of sorts as he scored just 11 runs off 23 balls at a strike rate of 47.82. Dhoni later perished to Dwayne Bravo in the 13th overs. Later, Yuvraj’s 67 off 43 balls helped India post 153/7 in their 20 overs. In reply, West Indies successfully chased down the target in 18.4 overs to secure a comprehensive seven-wicket win.
Yuvraj Singh - 11 off 21 balls vs Sri Lanka, SR 52.38, 2014
One of the limited-overs legends, Yuvraj Singh, also features in the list for the slowest T20 knock by an Indian. During the ICC World T20 final against Sri Lanka in 2014, Yuvraj Singh played a knock that he would never want to be reminded of. Put into bat, India lost openers Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma with the score reading 64/2 in 10.3 overs. Yuvraj later walked out to bat with Virat Kohli at the other end. The southpaw struggled against both pacers and spinners in Mirpur. Yuvraj managed just 11 runs off 21 balls at a strike rate of 52.38 as India posted a below-par total of 130/4. Sri Lanka later chased down the target in 17.5 overs to win the T20 World Cup by six wickets.
Photo credit: Alamy
