RP Singh or Yuvraj, Malinga or Herath - vote for the greatest T20 World Cup performance
Two defining performances in India's 2007 triumph, and two five-fors from Sri Lankan legends
ESPNcricinfo staff
18-Oct-2022
Which is your pick for the greatest performance in the history of the men's T20 World Cup?
Fans have voted in the round of 16 match-ups to decide the eight quarter-finalists. We have two of them paired in each match-up. The first two quarter-finals are below.
Voting for these match-ups has ended. Yuvraj Singh's 70 and Rangana Herath's 5-3 move to the semi-finals.
RP Singh's 4-13 vs Yuvraj Singh's 70
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 lbw with an inswinger, and two balls later induced an edge from Graeme Smith that was taken by Dinesh Karthik in the slips. In his third over, a vicious yorker - arguably the ball of the tournament - swung into Shaun Pollock's leg stump. South Africa could have made the semi-finals if they got to 126, but RP 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 lbw with an inswinger, and two balls later induced an edge from Graeme Smith that was taken by Dinesh Karthik in the slips. In his third over, a vicious yorker - arguably the ball of the tournament - swung into Shaun Pollock's leg stump. South Africa could have made the semi-finals if they got to 126, but RP Singh ended those hopes by bowling Albie Morkel.
70 (30) vs AUS | Yuvraj Singh | Durban, 2007
India's young side had made a slow start in the T20 World Cup semi-final and were 41 for 2 at the end of the eighth over. Yuvraj Singh began with a swivel-pull against Stuart Clark - one of the best bowlers of the tournament - for six off the second ball he faced, and smashed a 119-metre pick-up shot off Brett Lee in the next over. His entire innings was like a highlights reel: the 70 off 30 balls included five sixes and as many fours, and he almost single-handedly took India to a match-winning 188.
India's young side had made a slow start in the T20 World Cup semi-final and were 41 for 2 at the end of the eighth over. Yuvraj Singh began with a swivel-pull against Stuart Clark - one of the best bowlers of the tournament - for six off the second ball he faced, and smashed a 119-metre pick-up shot off Brett Lee in the next over. His entire innings was like a highlights reel: the 70 off 30 balls included five sixes and as many fours, and he almost single-handedly took India to a match-winning 188.
Lasith Malinga's 5-31 vs Rangana Herath's 5-3
5-31 vs ENG | Lasith Malinga | Pallekele, 2012
Hosts Sri Lanka were defending 169, and Lasith Malinga all but knocked out defending champions England in his opening over. Luke Wright, Jonny Bairstow and Alex Hales were all dismissed in the third over of the chase, and Jos Buttler and Samit Patel were accounted for later. This was far from peak Malinga - he did not hit his yorkers as reliably as he generally did - but the sight of a fantastic fast bowler causing havoc was a sight to behold.
Hosts Sri Lanka were defending 169, and Lasith Malinga all but knocked out defending champions England in his opening over. Luke Wright, Jonny Bairstow and Alex Hales were all dismissed in the third over of the chase, and Jos Buttler and Samit Patel were accounted for later. This was far from peak Malinga - he did not hit his yorkers as reliably as he generally did - but the sight of a fantastic fast bowler causing havoc was a sight to behold.
5-3 vs NZ | Rangana Herath | Chattogram, 2014
Sri Lanka's rousing T20 World Cup triumph may have never happened 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. Rangana 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.
Sri Lanka's rousing T20 World Cup triumph may have never happened 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. Rangana 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.