Stat Attack: Highest team total in T20I

Stand-in skipper Rohit Sharma once again took centre stage as India blasted their highest-ever Twenty20 international score of 260 for five in the second game against Sri Lanka in Indore. Rohit, who was out for just 17 in the previous T20I, was the star of the show as he equalled David Miller’s world record and blasted the joint-fastest century in T20Is off just 35 balls.

Rohit made his intentions clear right from the start, hitting Angelo Mathews for two fours in the very first over of the match. Soon he got stuck into Akila Dananjaya, getting two fours and a six in his very first over. There was no stopping after that as every Sri Lankan bowler bore the brunt of his onslaught. The India opener was eventually dismissed for 118 off 43 balls which was studded with 12 fours and 10 sixes.

Following his departure, KL Rahul took the onus on himself to propel India to a huge score. The right-handed batsman was looking set to score his second T20I century after racing away to 89 off just 48 before being dismissed by Nuwan Pradeep. The hosts crossed the 200-run mark in the sixteenth over and were looking primed to overhaul the highest-ever T20I total – 263.

With Rahul going berserk and MS Dhoni matching him shot for shot, India were within touching distance of entering the record books. However, with just 11 runs needed off the final over to post the biggest total in the shortest format of the game, the Indian batsmen faltered and could manage only 7 to post 260 for five which is still India’s biggest score. The Men in Blue’s previous best was 244 for four which they achieved against West Indies last year.

The record of the highest-ever total is being held by Australia who had scored 263 for three against Sri Lanka last year.

Here is the list of top 10 highest totals in the shortest format of the game.