On October 12, Indian batters went berserk against an out-of-form Bangladesh bowling lineup. India missed the 300-run mark in T20Is by just three runs but ended up breaking another T20 world record. As India crossed the 200-run mark in the 14th over, they registered their 37th 200-plus score in T20s. The previous record was held by England's Somerset who have been playing the format since its inception in early 2000s.
In T20Is, no team comes near India. The next on the list is T20 World Cup 2021 champions Australia with 23 200-plus scores. There are two Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises who have more than 30 200-plus totals. With 35 200-plus scores, five-time IPL champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are third on the list followed by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) with 33 such scores. Another England club in top five is Yorkshire with 31 200-plus totals in the format.
As India reached their 200 in 14 overs, this was the fastest 200 in T20Is. They missed the world record by a whisker. South Africa reached 200 in 13.5 overs against West Indies in 2023.
Pushing the boundaries little further
However, India broke another record for highest boundary count in a T20I innings. The previous record belonged to Czech Republic with 43 boundaries against Turkey in 2019. For a Test-playing nation, India and South Africa were tied with 42 boundaries each. At Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad which is not a small ground by any means, Indian batters hit 25 fours and 22 sixes.
Another record in sights
With a four-T20I series against South Africa left in the calendar year, India have sights on their own record. India had seven 200-plus totals in 2023, joint-most in a calendar year in T20Is. Japan have equalled it as well with seven mammoth totals in 2024. In the ongoing year, India have six 200-plus scores already.
After the three-Test series against New Zealand, T20 World Champions India will take on runner-ups South Africa starting November 8. Once again, a few senior players may miss the tour to South Africa as they will be busy preparing for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
