The T20 format in cricket is known for high-scoring thrillers, and the first T20I between India and Australia in 2023 was a prime example. In a game featuring 240 legal deliveries, a staggering 423 runs were scored.
Australia set a formidable 209-run target, which India surpassed, marking their highest successful chase in T20I cricket history. Key contributions from Suryakumar and Rinku Singh led India to victory in this nail-biter.
Here’s a look at India’s top 5 successful chases in T20Is:
209 vs Australia, Visakhapatnam, 2023:
Coming off a World Cup 2023 Final loss, India displayed remarkable resilience in this match. Suryakumar Yadav, part of the World Cup squad, led the charge with 80 runs from 42 balls. Australia, bolstered by Josh Inglis’s 110, set a target of 208. India’s chase was powered by a 112-run stand between Surya and Ishan Kishan, and Rinku Singh’s crucial 40 runs clinched the win.
208 vs West Indies, Hyderabad, 2019:
This memorable match is etched in history, particularly for Virat Kohli’s celebratory antics. The West Indies trio of Lewis, Hetmyer, and Pollard propelled their team to 207. India’s chase was anchored by a 100-run partnership between KL Rahul and Virat Kohli, with Kohli’s explosive 94* ensuring victory with eight balls to spare.
207 vs Sri Lanka, Mohali, 2009:
Facing a series-defining match, India had to win to prevent a Sri Lankan series sweep. Sri Lanka, with star players like Dilshan and Sangakkara, posted 206 runs. Yuvraj Singh’s blistering 60 from 25 balls, and contributions from Sehwag and Dhoni, helped India chase down the target with five balls remaining, leveling the series.
204 vs New Zealand, Auckland, 2020:
Post-World Cup 2019, India’s tour of New Zealand included a T20I series. New Zealand set a target of 203, backed by half-centuries from Munro, Williamson, and Taylor. India’s chase was bolstered by a 99-run partnership between KL Rahul and Virat Kohli, and Shreyas Iyer’s rapid 58 from 29 balls secured the win with six balls left.
202 vs Australia, Rajkot, 2013:
In a one-off T20I, Australia posted 201, thanks to Aaron Finch’s 89 and Maxwell’s powerful hitting. India’s response wobbled initially, but Dhawan kept the scoreboard ticking. The game boiled down to the last pair, Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni. Yuvraj’s scintillating 77 from 35 balls led India to a memorable victory.