Evin Lewis: The Powerhouse From Trinidad Taking T20 by Storm
If you’re looking for fireworks at the top of the order, Evin Lewis is a name that can’t be ignored. Born on December 27, 1991, in Rio Claro, Trinidad and Tobago, this six-foot-two left-hander has carved out a spot as one of the most thrilling openers in limited-overs cricket, especially in T20Is.
Lewis didn’t just appear out of nowhere. His cricket journey kicked off in Trinidad’s domestic scene, where his clean, powerful hitting started turning heads. He first caught wider attention with the West Indies Under-19 squad, helping them win the Caribbean Championship and play at the 2010 U-19 World Cup in New Zealand. Fast forward a couple of years, and in March 2012, Lewis made his debut in first-class cricket for Trinidad and Tobago, setting the stage for his senior rise.
It was March 27, 2016, when Lewis stepped up to represent the West Indies in T20 internationals, facing Afghanistan. That first match saw him walk back without scoring, but he made sure nobody would forget his name after his third match, smashing his maiden T20I century against India. That game is now legendary—he hammered Stuart Binny for five sixes in a single over, leaving cricket fans and commentators in disbelief. Even in a team filled with big hitters, Lewis stood out right away.
Records, Milestones, and Franchise Stardom
Let’s talk about numbers, because Lewis isn’t just entertaining—he’s got serious stats. He’s the third player after Brendon McCullum and Chris Gayle to score two centuries in T20 internationals. His 176* while retired hurt remains the highest such score in international cricket, while his 125* is the best by any West Indian in T20Is.
- Matches: 45 T20Is for West Indies
- Runs: 1318
- Strike Rate: An eye-popping 158.03
- Centuries: 2
- Half-Centuries: 9
He’s not just an international star. Lewis is a proven match-winner in T20 leagues all over the world. He won the 2019 Bangladesh Premier League with Comilla Victorians—blasting his way through bowling attacks—and added the 2021 Caribbean Premier League title with St Kitts & Nevis Patriots to his trophy case.
The Indian Premier League has also seen his destructive side. With stints at Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, and Lucknow Super Giants, Lewis has made it clear he belongs among cricket’s elite. His quickfire 55* off 23 balls for the Lucknow team against Chennai Super Kings was the kind of innings that makes fans leap off their seats. He’s even stepped in as a replacement for Jos Buttler at Rajasthan Royals, slotting into the top order and bringing immediate impact with his fearless approach.
It’s not just talent that’s carried Lewis so far. He credits Chris Gayle—famous for his own six-hitting—for a lot of inspiration (and maybe some advice on how to clear the ropes so often). The resemblance is clear: when Lewis is in full flow, bowlers have nowhere to hide.
On top of all this, Lewis has hopped around the cricket world, turning out for teams in Bangladesh, the Caribbean, and Sri Lanka with the Jaffna Kings. Wherever there’s a league with fast bowlers and short boundaries, chances are Lewis has left a mark.
For young cricketers in the Caribbean, Evin Lewis is a real example of how raw power, quick hands, and the right mindset can take you from islands cricket to the biggest T20 leagues on the planet. His rise from Trinidad’s local grounds to global T20 stardom? Proof that the next cricket superstar might just be lacing up in a backyard right now, looking to smash one over the fence—just like Lewis.
