England cricket team celebrates after winning the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in Australia. © Twitter (@Sports_Himanshu)
As the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup heads to the USA and the Caribbean for its ninth edition, several records are poised to be broken, given the explosive nature of T20 cricket and the expanded tournament format. Here are some of the top records that could be shattered:
Most Fours
- Virat Kohli is closing in on the record for most fours in T20 World Cup history. He currently has 103 fours, just behind Mahela Jayawardena’s 111. With Kohli’s consistency, this record is well within reach.
- Rohit Sharma and David Warner are also in the hunt. Rohit has 91 fours, while Warner has 86. Both players have the potential to surpass Jayawardena if they find their form in the tournament.
Fastest Hundred (by balls)
The record for the fastest century in T20 World Cup history is held by the legendary Chris Gayle, who scored centuries in 47 and 50 balls. However, the current trend in T20 cricket suggests this record could be under threat.
- Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton: Earlier this year, Loftie-Eaton set a blistering 33-ball century in T20 cricket. With the high strike rates and power-hitting on display, don’t be surprised if we see a new fastest hundred this tournament.
Most Catches by a Fielder
Fielding is crucial in T20 cricket, and the record for most catches by a fielder is up for grabs.
- AB de Villiers: The South African great holds the record with 23 catches.
- David Warner: With 21 catches, Warner is just a couple of suitable matches away from taking this record.
- Rohit Sharma and Glenn Maxwell: Both have 16 catches each and are in the mix to climb the rankings.
First Team to Win All ICC Trophies at the Same Time
Australia has a unique opportunity to create history by holding all ICC trophies simultaneously. Having already secured the ICC Test Championship and ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2023, a victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup would add this unprecedented accolade to their storied cricketing history.
Most Runs in a Single Edition
With the expansion of teams from 16 to 20 and the possibility of playing up to nine matches, the record for the most runs in a single edition is likely to be challenged. Virat Kohli holds the current record with 319 runs in the 2014 edition. Given the increased number of matches, players like Kohli himself, Babar Azam, and other top batsmen have more opportunities to accumulate runs and potentially break this record.
Additional Context
The expansion of the tournament not only increases the number of matches but also brings more players into the spotlight, increasing the chances of new records being set. High-scoring games and individual performances are more likely, given the T20 format’s emphasis on fast-paced, aggressive cricket.
The Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA & Caribbean is set to be a tournament of high drama, extraordinary performances, and potential record-breaking feats. Whether it’s the race for the most fours, the challenge to hit the fastest hundred, or the quest to hold all ICC trophies, cricket fans around the world are in for a treat. Stay tuned as history unfolds in this thrilling edition of the T20 World Cup.
