The T20 format has evolved over the years. The conditions and rules have worked more in batter’s favour and teams have been able to post bigger totals over the years. But when the inaugural edition of T20 World Cup was played in 2007, the format was still at its nascent stage. At that time Indian Premier League (IPL) was yet to be born and teams had little experienced in the format. Some players were still approaching the format with their traditional approach. However, Sri Lankan players have always been innovative and against Kenya they created a record that is yet to be broken almost 17 years later.
Carnage in Johannesburg
Sri Lanka on their T20 World Cup debut game against Kenya went out all guns blazing. Opener Upul Tharanga approached it like ODI cricket and got bowled for an 11-ball 10 but the attacking Sanath Jayasuriya was not looking to wait. The attacking left-handed batter knew the importance of taking the game on in the powerplay overs. He hit the first six of the innings in the sixth over. Sri Lanka were 53/1 after powerplay overs.
Kumar Sangakkara started finding boundaries too as Sri Lanka carried forward the momentum in the middle overs. Jimy Kamande broke the partnership with Sangakkara's wicket. The wicketkeeper-batter scored 30 runs from 18 balls. The opener reached his half-century from 30 balls. Jayawardene was not looking to wait around either and smashed fours and sixes. Kenya fielders did not help themselves by dropping Jaywardene's catch either. Jayasuriya's onslaught continued and he smashed Steve Tikolo for a six and three fours in the 13th over. He was moving towards his maiden T20I century but Nehemiah Odhiambo ended his stay at the crease with a slower one. He scored 88 runs from 44 balls including 11 fours and four sixes.
In the 16th over, Jaywardene reached his half-century from just 21 deliveries. Chamara Silva failed to make the most of the dropped catch and got runout. In the 18th over, Kamande struck twice to dismiss Jayawardene and Tillakaratne Dilshan. Sri Lanka were 215/6 after 18 overs. Skipper Jayawardene's 27-ball 65 was laced with nine fours and a couple of sixes. In the penultimate over, Jehan Mubarak unleashed carnage as he smashed Lameck Onyango for four sixes and a four. He kept the strike to himself. In the final over, he hit two fours and a six as Sri Lanka posted 260/6.
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Highest margin of T20I win
In reply, Kenya never looked like they were in the run chase. They kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Chaminda Vaas struck twice with the new ball. Spinners did not let them accelerate whereas Lasith malinga struck twice as well. Dilshan failed to make an impact with the bat but got two wckets as Kenya were bowled out for 88 in 19.3 overs. Sri Lanka won the game by a massive margin of 172 runs which is still the largest in the format for full-member nations (countries who play all formats and not just T20Is).
Teams with 200-plus scores in T20 World Cup
Sri Lanka's score of 260/6 is still the highest total in T20 World Cup history. In the 2016 edition, England came closest to it when they chased down the target of 230 against South Africa at Wankhede Stadium. India's highest total in T20 World Cup came in the inaugural edition as well. Yuvraj Singh's record-breaking six sixes in 12-ball fifty helped India post 218/4 against England. Notably, there have been only 14 200-plus totals in the tournament's history. Also, six teams -- Sri Lanka, England, South Africa, India, West Indies and Pakistan -- have scored 200 or more in the marquee event.
260 set to be breached in 2024?
Sri Lanka’s record may be under threat in this edition of T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies. The batting friendly wickets of the USA and ground dimensions will not make a bowler smile. Considering there are a few teams with lesser experience against the big teams, Sri Lanka’s score may finally be broken.
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