Not every day does one witness a T20 match in which over 500 runs are scored. West Indies chased down a record target of 250 against India with nine balls to spare
Not every day does one witness a T20 match in which over 500 runs are scored. West Indies chased down a record target of 250 against India with nine balls to spare. Sanju Samson was instrumental in India posting 249/5 in 20 overs. But that was only half the story, as Shai Hope scored the second-fastest T20I century by a West Indies batter as his team chased down the target with ease. That brings us to the more important question: Do bowlers have a role in such a situation? The dew did play a part in Ranchi, as West Indies batted second, but India great Sunil Gavaskar believes the Indian bowlers could have done more.
“I thought India would score around 235-240 after a couple of quiet overs. India got nine runs more. So, clearly, the batters are not to be blamed. I don’t think they fell short. It is quite clear the bowlers did not bowl the way they should have. In fact, it would be interesting if one were to ask the bowling coach what he was expecting from these bowlers and whether they did it or not,” Sunil Gavaskar said on Star Sports.
Highest match aggregates in men’s T20Is
517 – South Africa vs West Indies, Centurion, 2009
501 – India vs West Indies, Ranchi, 2026
499 – India vs England, Mumbai, T20 World Cup 2026 semifinal
496 – India vs New Zealand, Thiruvananthapuram, 2026
489 – West Indies vs India, Lauderhill, 2016
Varun Aaron, who was part of the same discussion panel, said India should have persisted with pace after West Indies were reduced to 2 wickets down in the first over. In the fourth over, India brought on Axar Patel, who conceded 16 runs.
“Giving Axar Patel the fourth over in the Powerplay was absolutely unnecessary because you have two middle-order batters, Shai Hope and Rovman Powell, who are very shaky against the new ball. You should have bowled four overs with pace,” Aaron said.