5 Strangest instances of a team losing in International Cricket

2. Losing a T20I despite scoring more runs while chasing

India’s tour of Australia in 2018-19 began with a T20I series with the Gabba hosting the first match. Australia were 24/1 in 4.1 overs after losing the toss but smashed 129 runs in the following 12 overs. The game was interrupted for an hour due to rain when Australia were 153/3 in 16.1 overs. The rain break reduced the game to 17 overs and the home team made five runs in the 5 balls they played after the resumption. India got a DLS revised target of 174 as they didn’t lose many wickets before the break.

The Indian chase was dominated by Shikhar Dhawan as he scored 76 runs from 42 balls with 12 boundaries. He left India four wickets down for 105 in 11.4 overs while only 29 runs came off other batsmen and extra runs till then. In this position, Dinesh Karthik and Rishabh Pant added 51 runs from only 23 balls to bring the target within their sight. Pant got out while trying a reverse scoop in the penultimate over.

The equation came down to 11 runs from last four balls to be bowled by Marcus Stoinis. Krunal Pandya was dismissed on the 3rd ball of the over while Karthik on the 4th delivery put an end to India’s winning chances. India scored six more runs in the next two balls and lost the game by 4 runs. Their total of 169/7 is 11 runs in excess to what Australia (158/4) made in the 17 overs. This is also the only instance of a chasing team losing a T20I despite scoring more runs than the opponent.