Baroda's record-breaking innings in SMAT 2024 (Source: @BCCIdomestic/x.com)
If the longest format tests the patience of a player, the shortest format showcases the class, temperament, and talent. In cricket’s shortest battlefield, every ball explodes with sky-high drama.
Forget the idea that only international T20s thrill; domestic T20 tournaments bring fire of their own. The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, the domestic T20 tournament, delivered the drama that doesn’t let the fans miss a single moment.
In India’s own SMAT, every day is eventful as records are being made and broken at the same time. Among all, Baroda’s record innings of 349 runs recorded as the highest T20 innings. Let’s take a look back at the day when Bhanu Pania’s unbeaten masterclass nailed the show.
Pania’s flawless knock pushes Baroda to a historic T20 milestone
Since the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy was introduced, the domestic tournament has become the biggest stage for grassroots talents to showcase their talents. As the players showcased their excellence, sometimes the teams shattered record books with their combined effort. In the 2024 edition, Baroda took it to another level, smashing their way into history with a record-breaking T20 total.
While batting first, they got a dreamy start as Shashwat Rawat and Abhimanyusingh Rajput stitched a game-changing 92-run partnership. After Singh walked away with a crucial half-century, Bhanu Pania joined Rawat, and the Sikkim bowlers had a nightmare on the field.
Swinging his bat on high, he showered a rain of sixes and smashed a 20-ball fifty. With his ruthless display, Sikkim was already on the back foot, but he kept the domination alive with his brave strokeplay. Making the Sikkim bowlers’ day tough, Pania scored a brilliant century in just 42 balls with five boundaries and 10 sixes.
With his excellence, Baroda piled up quick runs on the board. Adding to this, Shivalik Sharma and Vishnu Solanki’s half-century, Sikkim choked under pressure. With an unbeaten knock of 135 runs in just 51 deliveries, Pania helped the side to put on a record total of 349/5 on the board.
In a small 20-over game, a 300+ total is a rare sight, as sometimes batters struggle in the longest format, but Baroda tore the rulebook. In just 120 balls, they didn’t just pile on runs; they authored a new chapter of sheer, unapologetic domination.
Just not the total, Baroda stunned the world with a massive win in this match. Chasing the 350-run total, Sikkim ended their innings in just 86 runs as Baroda bowlers tore through their batting lineup. With a staggering 263-run victory, Baroda cemented their place in T20 history.
