Highest Powerplay Scores by Team India in T20I Cricket
Here's the list of India's top five highest powerplay totals in T20I history.
Powerplay overs set the tone for T20 cricket, and India has delivered some explosive starts over the years, often taking full advantage of the fielding restrictions. From explosive openers to aggressive middle-order hitters, India has produced several memorable powerplay performances that have led to massive totals.
In this list, we look at India’s top five highest powerplay totals in T20I cricket:
1. 95/1 vs England – Wankhede, 2025
In the final T20I of the five-match series against England at Wankhede Stadium, India unleashed an all-out attack in the powerplay. Abhishek Sharma, opening the innings, went berserk, smashing a 17-ball fifty. After Sanju Samson’s dismissal for 16 off 7 balls, Tilak Varma joined in and contributed 24 off 15.
India raced to 95/1 in the first six overs, setting their highest-ever powerplay total in T20Is. Abhishek went on to score 135 off 54 balls, while Shivam Dube chipped in with 30 off 13. India eventually posted a mammoth total of 247 runs.
2. 82/2 vs Scotland – Dubai, 2021
In the 2021 T20 World Cup group stage, India faced Scotland in a must-win game. The bowlers dominated as Mohammad Shami and Ravindra Jadeja ran through Scotland’s lineup, bundling them out for just 85 runs.
Chasing a low total, India’s openers went all guns blazing. KL Rahul smashed a 19-ball fifty, while Rohit Sharma played a quick 30-run knock off 16 balls. India stormed to 82/2 in the powerplay and chased down the target in just 6.3 overs. This remains India’s second-highest powerplay total in T20Is.
3. 82/1 vs Bangladesh – Hyderabad, 2024
India created history in the third T20I against Bangladesh in Hyderabad. Sanju Samson stole the show with a blistering 111 off 47 balls. Suryakumar Yadav (75 off 35) and Hardik Pandya (47 off 18) also contributed to India’s highest T20I total—297/6.
During the powerplay, Samson and Suryakumar’s aggressive approach saw India reach 82/1, marking their third-highest powerplay total. The match turned into a one-sided affair as Bangladesh struggled in the chase, finishing at 164/8, handing India a dominant 133-run victory.
4. 78/2 vs South Africa – Johannesburg, 2018
India took on South Africa in the first T20I of the 2018 series in Johannesburg. Batting first, India went on a rampage in the powerplay. Shikhar Dhawan was the main aggressor, scoring a blistering 72 off just 29 balls.
India reached 78/2 in the first six overs, making it their fourth-highest powerplay total in T20Is. The strong start propelled India to 203/5, and South Africa fell short in the chase, finishing at 175/9.
5. 77/1 vs Sri Lanka – Nagpur, 2009
Back in 2009, when T20 cricket was still evolving, India produced one of their best powerplay performances against Sri Lanka in Nagpur. Chasing a massive 216-run target, openers Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag provided a flying start, taking India to 77/1 in the powerplay.
Gambhir played a stunning knock, scoring 55 off just 26 balls. However, despite the strong start, India lost momentum in the middle overs and eventually fell short by 29 runs.
