NEW DELHI: India set a new record for the highest T20I total by a Test-playing nation, and second best overall, achieving this feat during a match against Bangladesh in Hyderabad on Saturday.
The Indian team showcased an explosive batting performance, piling on a massive score that surpassed previous records held by other Test-playing nations.
The hosts piled up 297-6 against Bangladesh, going past Afghanistan‘s 278-3 against Ireland in 2019.
The Indian total is also the second highest in the format after Nepal’s 314-3 against Mongolia in last year’s Asian Games in China.
India’s previous highest T20I total was 260/5 made against Sri Lanka in 2017 in Indore.
Highest T20I team totals
- 314/3 – Nepal vs Mongolia, Hangzhou, 2023
- 297/6 – India vs Bangladesh, Hyderabad, 2024
- 278/3 – Afghanistan vs Ireland, Dehradun, 2019
- 278/4 – Czech Republic vs Turkey, Ilfov County, 2019
- 268/4 – Malaysia vs Thailand, Hangzhou, 2023
- 267/3 – England vs West Indies, Tarouba, 2023
With blistering contributions from top-order and middle-order batters, India dominated the opposition, demonstrating their aggressive approach in the shortest format of the game.
Sanju Samson (111, 47 balls, 11×4, 8×6), who hammered the second fastest T20I century by an Indian after Rohit Sharma (35 balls), and skipper Suryakumar Yadav (75, 35 balls, 8×4, 5×6), put on a 173 runs electrifying second wicket stand to set the tone for the record total.
This record-breaking total not only highlighted India’s batting depth but also underlined their ability to excel in T20I cricket, further boosting their confidence ahead of upcoming international fixtures.
Samson’s batting display was a relentless onslaught, fueled by a simple philosophy of unadulterated aggression. No bowler was spared during this batting carnage.
The 10th over, bowled by leg-spinner Rishad Hossain, exemplified Samson’s dominance. Hossain struggled to find the right line and length, and Samson capitalised by smashing him for five consecutive sixes.
However, the most breathtaking shot in Samson’s innings came off pacer Mustafizur Rahman. The wicketkeeper-batter judged the slower ball to perfection, and whacked it over extra cover for a maximum, eliciting a quick shake of head from the bowler.
Samson reached his century off just 40 balls with a boundary against off-spinner Mahedi Hasan. He celebrated the milestone with a roar and a punch before being engulfed in a tight embrace by his captain.
Suryakumar also had a memorable moment when he reached his half-century in 22 balls, smashing Tanzim for three fours and a six in the process.
Samson and Suryakumar’s dismissals came in quick succession. However, India had already amassed an impressive 206 for three by the end of the 15th over.
The total was already formidable, but Hardik Pandya’s blistering 47 off just 18 balls, studded with four fours and four sixes, and Riyan Parag‘s explosive 34 off a mere 13 deliveries, including one four and four sixes, further propelled India’s score.
The duo’s unrelenting assault on the bowlers yielded an additional 70 runs for the fourth wicket, ultimately guiding India to a colossal total.
