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Five batting legends in the Road Safety World Series who still look good enough to compete with the best

by Wisden Staff March 17, 2021 - 1:16pm 3 minute read

The Road Safety World Series 2021 has garnered huge interest for the sheer quality of cricket from some players we have loved watching over the years. A few of them could even compete still at the highest level.

*Stats as of 16 March 2021

Tillakaratne Dilshan

Matches – 6, Runs – 232, Average – 58.00, Strike-Rate – 142.33, 50s – 2

The Sri Lankan opener and part-time spinner has had a great season in the RSWS. Aside from knocking off 232 runs at an average of 58 to top the run charts, Dilshan also has 12 wickets, the most by any in the tournament so far, in six matches. Very Neil Johnson-esque vibes there from the Sri Lankan who did a Dilscoop of sorts with his remarkable bowling turnaround.

Brian Lara

Matches – 5, Runs – 108, Average – 36.00, Strike-Rate – 108.00 50s – 1

The West Indies Legends skipper has played a couple of handy cameos so far and has looked exemplary with his captaincy decisions this Road Safety series. A half-century against Sri Lanka from No.3 was followed by a cameo of 31 from No.5 against Bangladesh in a successful run-chase. Lara could still give some of those West Indies batters a run for their money.

#ENGLvsSLL
At this point we’re just going to call this match: #EnglandLegends VS Tillakaratne Dilshan 💥

Watch LIVE only on @Colors_Cineplex , #RishteyCineplex and for free on @justvoot. #UnacademyRoadSafetyWorldSeries pic.twitter.com/6zSfpd9Zku

— Road Safety World Series (@RSWorldSeries) March 14, 2021

Virender Sehwag

Matches – 5, Runs – 169, Average – 56.33, Strike-Rate – 153.63 50s – 2
169 runs at a strike-rate over 150 so far, Virender Sehwag has looked as good as ever – including maintaining his love for a first-ball four in one of the matches – making an 80* against Bangladesh (strike-rate of 228.57) and a 74* against West Indies (unbeaten in a run-chase). Virat Kohli would love to have someone with that kind of intent in the Indian setup right now.

Kevin Pietersen

Matches – 5, Runs – 177, Average – 35.4, Strike-Rate – 186.31 50s – 1

With 177 runs at a strike-rate of 186.32, Pietersen has replicated what England’s modern-day limited-overs batsmen do – go hammer and tongs from ball one. The 40-year-old has looked in incredible touch this RSWS, making over 30 in three of the five games.

Jonty Rhodes

Matches – 5, Runs – 94, Average – 94.00, Strike-Rate – 128.76 50s – 1

Aside from being as electrifying in the field as ever, Jonty Rhodes has retained another quality from his playing days – remaining unbeaten till the end. In three of his four innings so far, Rhodes has remained not out, giving him an average of 94 in the tournament so far. He also cracked an unbeaten half-century against West Indies in a successful run-chase. And oh, don’t miss this run-out.