We often see the craze of Cricket in fans, whether it is One Day International match , world cup or IPL matches. People of all age groups, whether kids, youths or oldies, love to watch cricket very much. But ever since the T20 format began, the excitement of watching cricket has grown even more. People love watching T20 matches because the matches are fast and full of action. Because of this, many people are curious to know which teams have made the highest scores in T20 cricket.
So, in today’s blog, we will talk about the highest scores in T20 matches.
About T20 Cricket format
Before proceeding further, or know the highest score in T20 cricket, firstly we will tell you what this format is. So, T20 cricket is also known as Twenty20. It is a short format of the cricket game where each team gets only 20 overs to bat. One over has 6 balls, so each team faces a total of 120 balls in their innings.
This format was introduced to make cricket more exciting and fast-paced, and it quickly became very popular. The matches are completed in about 3 hours, making them easier for fans to watch compared to longer formats like ODIs (50 overs) or Test matches (5 days).
This format has made cricket more exciting. Batsmen try to hit more boundaries and sixes, and that is why we often see very high scores in T20 matches.
Why do the fans Love T20 Cricket format?
There is so much excitement seen in the audience as T20 cricket is full of energy and action. Here is the reasons why fans enjoy it so much:
- Quick results – The game finishes in a few hours.
- More boundaries – Players try to score quickly, so there are more sixes and fours.
- Big entertainment – Cheerleaders, music, and colorful jerseys make it more fun.
- Unpredictable matches – Any team can win, even if they’re not the strongest on paper.
Highest Score in T20
Highest Team Score in International T20 Cricket
Talking about the highest team score in this format, Nepal holds the record of 314/3 which is against Mongolia on September 27, 2023, during the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
In that match, Kushal Malla from the team Nepal played a inning of 137* off just 50 balls, while fellow player Dipendra Singh Airee smashed 52 runs from just 10 balls, including six sixes in an over.
Other Notable High Scores in T20 Internationals
While Nepal’s 314/3 is the highest score but there have been some other big score which is as:
- Afghanistan – 278/3 vs Ireland in 2019.
- Czech Republic – 278/4 vs Turkey in 2019
- Australia – 263/3 vs Sri Lanka in 2016
Highest Team Scores in IPL (Indian Premier League)
In the franchise-based T20 leagues like IPL, some of the team are listed below as they perform their best and making a good score,
- RCB – 287/3 vs SRH (2024)
The recent IPL winning team, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) set the highest score in IPL history during a match against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2024 season. In that match, The star batsmen were Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, and Glenn Maxwell.
- RCB – 263/5 vs Pune Warriors (2013)
Another massive score from RCB is against Pune warriors. In this match, Chris Gayle played an unforgettable 175*, which is still the highest individual score in T20 cricket. He hit 17 sixes and completely destroyed the bowling attack.
Highest Team Scores in Other T20 Leagues
Apart from international cricket and IPL, many domestic leagues across the world have witnessed massive totals.
- Titans – 271/3 vs Knights (South Africa T20 Challenge)
- Melbourne Stars – 273/2 vs Hobart Hurricanes (Big Bash League)
How do these High Scores Happen?
There are several reasons behind these massive scores in T20 cricket:
1. Smaller grounds –
T20 matches are often played in stadiums with shorter boundaries to encourage big hitting and entertain crowds.
2. Flat pitches –
The flat pitches offer very little help to bowlers because there is no swing, no seam, and not much turn which makes it easier for batters to hit through the line.
3. Strong batting lineups –
Teams now stack their lineups with power hitters from top to bottom, ensuring the run rate never slows down.
4. Powerplay advantage –
The first six overs in a T20 match allow only two fielders outside the 30-yard circle. This gives batsmen a chance to go hard without worrying much about getting caught.
5. Tactics and mindset –
In T20 cricket, batters aim to score off every ball. They no longer wait or play cautiously. Even tailenders often come out swinging.
Impact of High Scores
High scores are entertaining for fans but can be demoralizing for bowlers. However, they also push teams to innovate, bowlers try new deliveries, captains change strategies, and fielders stay on their toes. It also increases pressure on the chasing team. Sometimes, even if they bat well, the target can be too high.
But surprisingly, some teams have managed to chase big targets successfully, proving that nothing is impossible in cricket.
Final Thoughts
The T20 cricket format has changed the way people look at the game. The days of slow build-ups and patient batting are gone. Now, it is about firepower, timing, and fearless cricket. The record for the highest score in T20 is something every team wants to break, and fans love to witness such record-breaking games.
Whether it is a small nation like Nepal or a giant like Australia, these high scores bring joy, debate, and plenty of excitement to the sport.
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