194.64—That was Sanju Samson’s strike rate during his century against South Africa yesterday. Yet, Samson might feel slightly disappointed. Why? Among the three Indian batters who played, his strike rate was the lowest. The other two had strike rates above 200.
Tilak Varma scored 120 off 47 balls. Both Samson and Tilak remained unbeaten. The other opener, Abhishek, smashed 36 off just 18 balls. With such a dominant display, India posted a massive 283/1 in 20 overs.
India’s 283 wasn’t just a number; it was a statement. A statement that India might be leading the shift in T20 cricket’s approach. However, the highest T20 score still belongs to Zimbabwe, who scored 286 against Gambia on October 23.
Four days earlier, Sikandar Raza’s Zimbabwe had posted 286 against Seychelles, the fourth-highest T20 total. Despite these records, Zimbabwe remains behind in leading the T20 charge due to the relatively weak opposition.
“23: India’s Most Sixes in a T20 Innings”
India hit 23 sixes yesterday, their most in a single T20 innings and the third-highest overall. Only Zimbabwe (against Gambia) and Nepal (against Mongolia) have hit more. India’s previous best of 22 sixes came against Bangladesh last month.
Setting aside individual matches, India’s overall performance this year solidifies their leadership in T20 cricket.
India has scored 200 or more runs nine times in 2024, the most by any team in a calendar year. In their 24 matches this year, India has maintained an impressive run rate of 9.55, the highest in any calendar year. The previous best? India again, with 9.23 in 2023 and 9.20 in 2022. For three consecutive years, India has broken their own records.
India has scored 250 or more in T20s three times, surpassing Zimbabwe, Czech Republic, and Japan, who each have two such totals. Only Sunrisers Hyderabad and Surrey have matched India’s tally of three. Indian players also lead in T20 centuries, with 23 overall, 11 more than New Zealand, the second-best. Australian players have only 11 T20 centuries to their name.
“Samson’s Scorching Form: 3 Centuries in 5 Matches”
Sanju Samson has scored three centuries in his last five matches (111, 107, 109*). Meanwhile, Tilak Varma has registered centuries in back-to-back matches. T20 centuries are becoming a habit for Indian batters.
When players perform like this, how can a team falter? India holds the record for the most T20 wins, with 165 victories against 70 losses. Their win-loss ratio of 2.36 is the highest in T20 cricket history.
This Indian team is rewriting what dominance looks like in T20 cricket.
