Highest Powerplay Totals For India in T20Is

Akshita Patel

Highest Powerplay Totals For India in T20Is [Source: @BCCI/X.com]Highest Powerplay Totals For India in T20Is [Source: @BCCI/X.com]

The explosive batting lineup of India has always provided potent starts to T20 internationals, creating a platform for several spectacular victories. The powerplay invariably plays the defining role in the buildup of momentum to a match.

Over the years, Indian batters have showcased fearless intent, smashing records and leaving opponents stunned. Whether electrifying performances against the top teams or high-stakes encounters in major tournaments, early blitzes have become the hallmark of India's T20 dominance.

On that note, here are some of the highest powerplay totals by India, which did send the cricketing world abuzz.

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

India played South Africa in the 1st T20I in Johannesburg in 2018. Batting first, the visitors unleashed carnage. Shikhar Dhawan’s quickfire 72 off 29 balls helped India pile up 78 runs in the powerplay at the loss of two wickets, marking their fourth-highest powerplay score in T20I history. 

The blazing start steered the men in blue to a commanding total of 203 runs with South Africa falling short of 28 runs in the chase, finishing at 175/9.

3. 82/1 vs Bangladesh, Hyderabad, 2024

India scripted history in the 3rd T20I of the bilateral series against Bangladesh held in Hyderabad. Sanju Samson went berserk with 111 off 47 balls whereas Suryakumar Yadav (75 off 35) and Hardik Pandya (47 off 18) also made quick contributions to post 297/6, India’s highest total in T20I history. 

Moreover, Samson and Suryakumar’s blazing partnership helped India record 82 runs in the first six overs, marking their third-highest powerplay total. That match turned one-sided with Bangladesh struggling to tackle the mammoth total. The visitors could score only 164 in the chase with India securing a dominant victory of 133 runs.

2. 82/2 vs Scotland, Dubai, 2021

India clashed with Scotland in a Group game of the 2021 T20 World Cup. Mohammad Shami and Ravindra Jadeja’s magical spells restricted Scotland to 85/10 in the first inning. The one-sided game was further dominated by Indian openers, KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma. Rahul slammed a 19-ball fifty whereas Rohit hit a quick 30 off 16 balls. 

Team India chased down the total of 86 runs inside 7 overs after achieving 82 runs in the first 6 overs of the powerplay, marking India’s second-highest powerplay total in T20I history. Owing to his emphatic win, the Indian team advanced further in the T20 World Cup.

1. 95/1 vs England, Wankhede, 2025

In the final T20I of the five-game series against England held at Wankhede Stadium, Team India unleashed carnage in the powerplay. Abhishek Sharma, the explosive opener went berserk to slam a 17-ball fifty. Tilak Varma joined him after Sanju Samson’s dismissal on 16 off 7 to contribute with a crucial 24 off 15 balls. 

Sharma and Varma hammered 95 runs in the first six overs, setting up India’s highest powerplay total in the T20I format’s rich history. The aggressive start set the tone for a massive total. Abhishek went on to complete his century before getting dismissed on 135 off 54. Shivam Dube also added 30 off 13 balls as India finished the inning with a mammoth total of 247 runs.