Top 10 Highest team totals by India in World T20s

India has always been considered as the favorites in the shortest format regardless of the venue or the conditions. Traditionally, their batting has been the strength and they win most of their matches by being dependent on it. India had emerged as the champion in the inaugural World T20 and has performed very well in almost every edition which has taken so far. The team has entertained its fans with some wonderful batting performance all these years and has bossed over the best bowling line-up in the world.  Here in this list, we list out the highest team total posted by India in the World T20 starting from the 2007 edition to the 2014 edition.

10. 159/7 v Australia (2014):

India completely dominated the Australian when both teams met at the Sher e Bangla Stadium, Mirpur during the 2014 World T20. Australia’s decision to bowl first looked to be the ideal choice after Brad Hodge got better of Rohit Sharma in the first over of the match. The Indians were not able to set off against the disciplined bowling by Australian bowlers. But, Yuvraj Singh (60 from 43 balls) came to India’s rescue by forging small but crucial partnerships with Virat Kohli (23 from 22 balls) and MS Dhoni (24 from 20 balls). The wicket looked to have eased out after watching Yuvraj bat with such brilliancy. His wonderful efforts enabled India reach 159/7 in 20 overs. India, eventually, defended the total by a margin of 73 runs after the Aussies meekly surrender to the Indian spin attack led by Ravichandran Ashwin (4/11).

9. 159/5 v Afghanistan (2012):

India had a very easy outing in the Group A encounter with Afghanistan in the 2012 World T20. The Afghans had chosen to chase after winning the toss. India had a bad start after Shapoor Zadran managed to get better of both their openers. However, Virat Kohli (50 from 39) then combined with Yuvraj Singh (18 from 20 balls) and Suresh Raina (38 from 33 balls) to steady the ship. He first stitched a 46 runs with Yuvraj and provided the stability and then shared another 46 runs stand with Suresh Raina. The second partnership came at a better run rate. MS Dhoni (18 from 9 balls) came in the last stages of the innings and gave the final punch to the run rate, helping the team total swell to 159/5 after 20 overs.

8. 163/5 v Sri Lanka (2010):

This was a nail-biting contest where India was the losing team unfortunately. Indian went in to bat in the do-or-die match of the 2010 World T20 at the Beausejour Stadium, Gros Islet. The start was ordinary after Dinesh Kartik left quite early. However, Gautam Gambhir and Suresh Raina then put together a valuable 66 runs stand for the 3rd wicket before the former departed in the 11th over. Gambhir’s wicket became the turning point for India in the 1st innings. India were at 90/1 after 10 overs but Sri Lanka did an excellent job after the first half as they bounced back to restrict India for just 163/5. The score was possible due to Raina’s blitz of 63 runs off 47 balls. In reply, Sri Lanka was steered to victory by the trio Kumar Sangakkara, Angelo Matthews and Chamara Kapugedara whose collective efforts knocked India of the tournament and guaranteed a place in the semi-finals for their team.

7. 170/4 v England (2012):

England once again received a bashing from Indians after they were comprehensively beaten by 90 runs in Group A match at the R Premadasa Stadium in 2012. England went in to bat and chose to field first. Gautam Gambhir opened with a non-regular opener Irfan Pathan. This move did not pay well as Pathan was quickly made to depart. But, Virat Kohli (40 from 32 balls) and Gautam Gambhir (45 from 38 balls) helped India recover from the early fall of wicket with a 57 runs stand. Rohit Sharma, who came in after the departure of Virat, also played aggressively and played a knock of 55 run from 33 balls to maintain the pressure on the English bowlers.  Together this trio took India to a commendable 170/4 after the end of 20 overs.

6. 176/4 v South Africa (2014):

Virat Kohli is a master when comes to batting under pressure while chasing and it got proved once again when starred in India’s famous victory over South Africa in the semi-finals of the 2014 World T20. India were asked to chase challenging 173 runs for a place in the finals. The team started off well but suffered an early setback after they lost an early wicket. However, all worries about India’s chances were put to rest by Kohli (72 from 44 balls) who resisted the Proteas challenge wonderfully. The other significant contributors while chasing were Suresh Raina (21 from 10 balls) and Ajinkya Rahane (32 from 20 balls).  All these batting efforts saw India win the quite comfortably with 6 wickets and 5 balls to spare.

Also read: Top 10 Highest totals by India in T20Is

5. 180/5 v Bangladesh (2009):

Yuvraj Singh yet again starred for India after propelled India to a strong total of 180 against Bangladesh at Trent Bridge in 2009. India won the toss and chose to bat first Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir gave India a healthy start, stitching 59 runs for the first wicket before Sharma lost his wicket. MS Dhoni and Gambhir then batted fluently and took India to a very comfortable position. Finally, Yuvraj Singh entered after the departure of Gambhir and gave the final blow to the Bangla bowlers, hitting 41 runs off just 18 balls. Valuable Cameos from Irfan Pathan and Suresh Raina ten took India to 180/5 after 20 overs.

4. 180/9 v New Zealand (2007):

The Group E match against New Zealand was a high scoring affair at Johannesburg in 2007. The Kiwis batted first and posted 191 on the back of Brendon McCullum and Craig McMillan’s breezy knocks. The trusted pair of Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag accepted the tough task and gave a flying start. But, Sehwag was back to hutch after playing an entertaining innings of 17 ball 40 runs. However, some time later, India began to crumble and kept losing wickets quickly. The man responsible for the downfall was Daniel Vettori (4/20). The Indians, however, were in no mood to give and kept fighting till the last over. Unfortunately, all their valiant efforts were not enough in the end as they were restricted for 180/9 and lost the match by 10 runs

3. 186/5 v South Africa (2010):

Suresh Raina displayed great resistance to fast bowling and counterattacking prowess to guide India reach 186/5 against South Africa at Gros islet in 2010. South Africa has put India to bat and took advantage of the tricky pitch to curb India from scoring runs at a quick rate. Murali Vijay and Dinesh Kartik departed for cheap scores beginning in Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh in the middle. India was 43 after eight overs. Both left-handers struggled initially but soon sizzled with a 88 runs stand before Yuvraj went back to the pavilion at the score of 37 from 30 balls. However, Suresh Raina (101 from 60 balls) continued his great show and went on to score his first T20I century.

2. 188/5 v Australia (2007):

The occasion was the highly important semi-final clash against India. After being slow in the beginning, the Indians were at the top of their game, courtesy Yuvraj Singh’s 30 balls 70 runs blitz. India went in to bat first but Australians bowlers did not allow Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir to get started and dismissed them quickly. They bowled miserly and India were at 41 for 2 after 8 overs. But, then came Prince Yuvraj who began to hammer the Australians and took India to a highly comfortable score of 188/5 after 20 overs. He received useful support from Robin Uthappa (34 from 28 balls) and MS Dhoni (36 from 18 balls), both of them played valuable quickfire knocks.

1. 218/4 v England (2007):

This one the finest T20 match India has ever played. The India v England clash was an epic one and refreshes the memory of Yuvraj Singh smashing 6 Sixes in an over. India got off to a blazing start after opting to bat first. Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag had tonked the English bowlers to all corners, building a 136 runs stand before Sehwag departed. Their good work was backed up wonderfully by Yuvraj Singh who hit 58 from just 16 balls amid high drama and enthusiasm. India consequently reached a formidable 218/4 after 20 overs with help of such marvelous batting performance.

(All stats updated till 16th march 2016)