Top 6 highest powerplay scores by India in T20I cricket

India have scored more than 80 runs in the powerplay thrice in T20I cricket.

T20 cricket is considered as batters’ game. Unlike test and ODI cricket, where batters are often judged on their high scores, T20 allows them to play an attacking brand of cricket, focusing more on the impact on the innings.

The format, however, comes with its own challenges, especially in subcontinent conditions like India, where pitches vary greatly. Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai is known for its batting-friendly nature, while MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai offers tough conditions for batters with its spin-friendly nature.

Over the years, India have delivered strong batting performances in T20Is. And to put up huge totals in this format of the game, teams often start big and accelerate right from the start in the powerplay, which includes first six overs of the innings. In this article, we look at the top six highest powerplay scores by the Men in Blue in T20I cricket.

Top six highest powerplay scores by India in T20I cricket:

6. 77/1 vs Australia, Thiruvananthapuram, 2023

India displayed a strong batting performance in the second T20I of Australia’s tour of India in 2023 in Thiruvananthapuram.

Batting first, the Men in Blue racked up 77/1 inside the first six overs. Openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad starred for the hosts posting half-centuries each.

Thanks to their massive 235-run total, India won the game by 44 runs.

5. 77/1 vs Sri Lanka, Nagpur, 2009

Next on the list is India’s performance against Sri Lanka in Nagpur in 2009, which were the early days of T20I cricket.

Chasing a big target of 216, Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag gave India a flying start, reaching 77/1 in the powerplay. Gambhir in particular looked in great touch as he scored 55 off 26 balls.

However, after a strong start, India lost their way in the middle overs, ultimately losing the game by 29 runs.

4. 78/2 vs South Africa, Johannesburg, 2018

One of India’s most remarkable batting performances in T20Is came in Johannesburg against South Africa in 2018.

Openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan gave India a blistering start, scoring 78 runs in the powerplay. Dhawan top-scored for India with 72 off 39 balls, while Rohit chipped in with 21 off 9 balls.

Thanks to this solid start, India posted 203 runs and went on to win the game by 28 runs.

3. 82/1 vs Bangladesh, Hyderabad, 2024

India’s young batsmen were at their best against Bangladesh in Hyderabad in 2024. Leading the three-match T20I series 2-0, India took full advantage of the batting-friendly conditions in Hyderabad, scoring 82/1 in the first six overs. Opener Sanju Samson starred for the hosts, scoring 111 off 47 balls, which included 11 fours and eight sixes.

India posted their highest T20I total of 297 runs and won the game by 133 runs, completing a clean sweep against Bangladesh.

2. 82/2 vs Scotland, Dubai, 2021

One strong performance in India’s otherwise disappointing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 campaign came against Scotland in their third group stage match in Dubai.

Chasing a small target of 86 runs, KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma almost finished the game in the powerplay, scoring 82 runs in the first six overs. Rahul made 50 off 19 balls, while Rohit contributed with 30 off 16 balls.

India won the game comfortably by eight wickets with 81 balls to spare.

1. 95/1 vs England, Wankhede, 2025

India’s highest powerplay score in T20I came in 2025 when they slammed 95 runs at the Wankhede Stadium against England in the fifth T20I.

Despite losing opener Sanju Samson early, Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma gave the hosts a solid start, putting up 95/1 in the powerplay. Abhishek looked in a different zone altogether, smashing his second T20I century off just 37 balls. India finished their innings at 247/9, which is their fourth-highest T20I total.

(All stats are updated till 2nd February 2025)

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