In 2004, Australia and New Zealand played the first-ever T20 International. The format has seen a dramatic increase in viewers both at home and in the stadium as time has progressed. Players and spectators worldwide have embraced the T20Is because of its exhilarating format and quick turnaround time (a T20I may be completed in under 3.5 hours). In cricket, a selected number of players have dominated both Test and ODI formats but have never played in more than one T20I.
1. Sachin Tendulkar (India)
It’s no surprise that Sachin Tendulkar, the master blaster, holds the record for the most runs scored in both Test and One-Day International cricket. He has dominated both formats with his brilliant batting. Even yet, the legend only appeared in one T20I, India’s debut match in the form. For the maiden T20I, India faced South Africa in Johannesburg. That year Sachin Tendulkar and skipper Virender Sehwag opened the innings. Sachin scored ten runs before Charl Langeveldt dismissed him while chasing 127 runs. India won in the final over. For India, it was Sachin’s first and last T20I match.
2. Rahul Dravid (India)
Rahul Dravid, also known as “The Wall,” was an all-time great in ODIs and Tests. In 2011, India’s Rahul Dravid participated in the only T20I. In the four-match Test series, India was humiliatingly swept by England. While India struggled in this series, Dravid was one of the few bright stars with his three-century performances. As a result of his stellar play in the Tests, Dravid was chosen to participate in the England tour’s limited-overs competition. He debuted for his country in a T20I match against England in Manchester. Dravid hit 31 runs off 21 balls in his lone T20I, including three sixes in a row off-spinner Samit Patel.
The Indian team lost by six wickets despite Dravid’s impressive performance in the T20 format. The right-hander batsman then declared his retirement from T20Is following that match.
3. Inzamam-ul-Haq (Pakistan)
Inzamam-ul-Haq, who now holds the record for most runs scored in ODIs for Pakistan, also played an integral role in the Test team. When Pakistan played their first T20I against England in Bristol in 2006, Inzamam-ul-Haq was in charge of the group as captain. Pakistan easily defeated England, thanks to Haq’s unbeaten 11 runs. The right-handed batsman retired from international cricket in 2007 without playing another game in the format. Haq’s tendency to play attacking innings and score rapid runs suggested he was also a success in T20Is.
4. Jason Gillispie (Australia)
Fast bowler Jason Gillespie played for Australia once in a T20I. In 2005, the Rose Bowl hosted the game against England. In his four overs, Gillespie gave 49 runs while taking only one wicket, that of Andrew Strauss. To everyone’s surprise, he became Australia’s leading scorer in that match. Australia’s batting collapsed as they tried to win by chasing 180 runs, and Australia ended up with only 79 runs. Thus, he was permanently left out of the Australian T20I squad.
5. Mohammad Rafique (Bangladesh)
Mohammad Rafique is the first Bangladeshi bowler to take 100 Test wickets. He was a helpful tailender and left-arm spin bowler. In 2005’s World XI Super Series against Australia, Rafique took 125 ODI wickets. The left-arm spinner played one T20 international for Bangladesh in 2006 against Zimbabwe. He scored 13 runs in five balls and took a door in his four overs. Forty-three runs were won in that match by Bangladesh. He was not selected for further T20Is despite a good