Ahead of their T20 World Cup match against Namibia, India face renewed expectations of breaking the 300-run barrier in a T20I, a feat they have never achieved. Despite opener Abhishek Sharma missing out due to a stomach infection, the Indian batting line-up featuring Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, and Shubham Dube
India’s big-hitting opener Ishan Kishan in New Delhi on Tuesday. Pic/PTI
Batting has evolved in white-ball cricket big-time and so have the aspirations of the players and expectations of the fans, especially Indian fans.
Every time the Indian batters enter the arena, the spectators expect fireworks from the onset, expecting India to break all batting records. And more often than not, the mercurial Indian batters have provided the thrills. But there is the odd aberration too, like we saw in India’s first match of the T20 World Cup against USA.
Before the start of this tournament, there was a huge hype that India would break the 300-run barrier against minnows USA. But what transpired at the Wankhede Stadium left Indian fans shell-shocked initially before skipper Suryakumar Yadav’s brilliance helped the spectators cope with that Saturday night fever.
Now, as the Indian team gears up to face another minnow side, Namibia, at the Kotla here on Thursday, the Ab ki baar 300 paar hype has gained momentum again.
India have never crossed this figure in T20Is, their highest total being against Bangladesh in Hyderabad in 2024. In fact, in T20 World Cup history, India have crossed the 200-run mark just thrice — 218-4 vs England in Durban in 2007, 210-2 vs Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi in 2021 and 205-5 vs Australia at Gros Islet in 2024.
Though opener Abhishek Sharma is unlikely to take the field after being hospitalised with a stomach infection, there is no doubt that India have the talent and capability to cross 300, with batters like Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar, Hardik Pandya, and Shubham Dube in their ranks. And the day they fire on all cylinders, records are bound to be decimated. The fans are hoping for this against Namibia on Thursday.
Three
No. of times Team India have gone past 270 runs in T20Is, all post the 2024 World Cup, with their highest being 297-6 against Bangladesh
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