Most T20 matches by a player: Narine joins 500-club

Sunil Narine, who is fourth on the list of most T20 matches by a player, played his 500th match in the shorter format on Friday. Narine made the occasion extra special as he turned the clock back with the bat, smashing 47 off 22 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. 

T20 cricket has become the norm in the last decade with every cricket-playing country having its league. The franchise T20 leagues have become an attractive option for players to earn big money and better their lives financially. Naturally, players who don't have the skill set or aspirations for the longer formats switch their attention to T20 cricket. 

The T20 format has had some legendary players over the years, lighting up the arenas around the world. Today we take a look at most T20 matches by a player.

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Most T20 matches by a player

Only four players have entered the 500 club in T20 cricket – Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo, Shoaib Malik and Sunil Narine. The generation of Caribbean cricketers, comprising Pollard, Narine, Bravo, Chris Gayle and Andre Russell, has played a big role in the popularity of T20 cricket. 

Player	Matches	Runs	Average	Strike rate	Wickets	Economy
Kieron Pollard	660	12900	31.46	150.98	316	8.24
Dwayne Bravo	573	6957	22.44	125.46	625	8.24
Shoaib Malik	542	13360	36.40	127.56	182	7.03
Sunil Narine	500	3783	14.83	146.34	537	6.11
Andre Russell	484	8273	27.29	169.87	434	8.65
David Miller	471	10099	35.18	138.07	–	–
Chris Gayle	463	14562	36.22	144.75	83	7.62
Ravi Bopara	462	9106	27.67	122.47	277	7.52
Alex Hales	449	12319	29.68	146.39	–	–
Rohit Sharma	428	10961	30.44	141.25	31	9.21

Kieron Pollard (660 appearances)

Kieron Pollard tops the list of most T20 matches by a player, having played 660 matches in his career. He has retired from international cricket and IPL but continues to play in the leagues across the globe. Pollard has cemented his place in the history books as one of the greatest T20 finishers. 

Pollard is the third highest run-getter in T20 cricket with 12900 runs at an average of 31.46 while striking at 150.98. He has also picked 316 wickets in the format at an economy of 8.24. Pollard is second on the list of the most T20 trophies, having won 16 tournaments, 17 if we count the Major Cricket League. 

Dwayne Bravo (573 appearances)

DJ Bravo is the most decorated T20 superstar, having won 17 trophies as a player. He occupies second spot behind his best buddy, with 573 appearances in the shorter format. Bravo, who had started his career as a batter who can bowl, ended up being the most prolific T20 bowler ever and someone who could occasionally win you games with the bat as well. 

Bravo picked 625 wickets in his T20 career at an economy of 8.24. He also made 6957 runs at 22.44 average and 125 strike rate. 

Shoaib Malik (542 appearances)

The Pakistan veteran all-rounder has quietly become one of the most capped T20 players in the world. He sits third on the list with 542 appearances and is still an active cricketer. Shoaib Malik is the highest run-scorer in the history of T20 cricket, with 13360 runs at an average of 36.40 and strike rate of 127. The handy off-spinner has also taken 182 wickets in the format at an economy of 7.03. 

Sunil Narine (500 appearances)

Sunil Narine became the latest player to join the 500-game club. The mystery spinner had a massive success as a bowler in his early years of the career and he has continued to evolve as years went by. Narine has taken 537 wickets in the format at an outstanding economy of 6.11. He was a key figure in Kolkata Knight Riders' only two title wins in the IPL in 2012 and 2014. In the second half of his career, Narine delivered with the bat as a pinch hitter. He has 3783 runs in T20 cricket at an average of 15 and strike rate of 146.

Andre Russell (484 appearances)

Andre Russell is arguably the best all-rounder T20 cricket has ever seen. The Jamaican superstar has pulled off countless incredible performances with the bat and has won matches on his bowling alone as well. Russell is fifth on the list of most T20 matches by a player with 484 matches to his credit. He has amassed 8273 runs in the format at an average of 27.39 while striking at nearly 170. Russell has also picked 434 wickets at 8.65 economy. 

David Miller (471 appearances)

The South African power-hitter David Miller takes sixth spot on the list with 471 T20 appearances in his career so far. He has been one of the best middle order batters in the format, scoring over 10000 runs at an average of 35.18 and strike rate of 138. Miller has played some epic knocks in this format.

Chris Gayle (463 appearances)

Chris Gayle, who is arguably the greatest T20 batter in history, occupies seventh place on the list of players with most T20 appearances. He has played 463 matches and is the highest run-scorer in this format. Gayle amassed 14562 runs in T20 cricket at a strike rate of 145 while averaging 36.22. The universe boss has several T20 records, including the most (22) centuries.

Ravi Bopara (462 appearances)

The England all-rounder has the longest career in T20 cricket, having been playing since 2003. He has played 462 matches in the format and has made 9106 runs at an average of 27.67 and strike rate of 122. Bopara has also picked 277 wickets with his medium pace at 7.52 economy. 

Alex Hales (449 appearances)

Alex Hales is amongst the highest run-getters in the T20 format. The Englishman has played 449 matches in his T20 career so far and has scored 12319 runs at an average of 29.68 while striking at 146.39. Perhaps the highlight of his T20 career was his blistering knock in the semifinal of the 2022 T20 World Cup, where he struck 86 not-out in 47.

Rohit Sharma (428 appearances)

India's Rohit Sharma is 10th on the list of most T20 matches by a player. He has played 428 matches in T20 cricket, scoring 11225 runs at a strike rate of 134 while averaging 30.75. He has the record for the most (5) international T20 centuries. Sharma is also known for his captaincy, having led Mumbai Indians to five IPL titles.