The Evolution of T20 Cricket
The record of highest T20 score in an inning is held by Nepal. They scored 314/3 against Mangolia in September 2023. T20 cricket has transformed the game significantly since its inception in the early 2000s. Originally introduced to create a more exciting format, T20 has grown into a global phenomenon, attracting fans and players alike.
Teams now regularly score over 200 runs in a match. Aggressive batting, innovative shot-making, and power-hitting have become the norm, making for high-scoring, thrilling encounters.
T20 cricket has revolutionized the game, blending athleticism, strategy, and entertainment in a way that appeals to a broad audience. Its impact continues to shape the future of cricket, making it an exciting time for fans and players alike. In this article we are going to list the highest T20 scores in an innings.
Highest T20 Score: India scored 297/6 against Bangladesh
India scored 297/6 against Bangladesh in the third T20I match of their series in Hyderabad on October 12, 2024. This is the second-highest score ever in T20 international cricket and the highest team total for India in T20Is.
Top 10 Highest T20 International Team Scores
Team | Score | Opponent | Date |
Nepal | 314/3 | Mongolia | 27th September 2023 |
Argentina | 301/3 | Chile | 10th October 2024 |
India | 297/6 | Bangladesh | 12th October 2024 |
Afghanistan | 278/3 | Ireland | 23rd February 2019 |
Czech Republic | 278/4 | Turkey | 30th August 2019 |
Malaysia | 268/4 | Thailand | 02nd Oct 2023 |
England | 267/3 | West Indies | 19th December 2023 |
Australia | 263/3 | Sri Lanka | 06th September 2016 |
Sri Lanka | 260/6 | Kenya | 14th September 2007 |
India | 260/5 | Sri Lanka | 22nd December 2017 |
Match Summary of Highest T20 Scores by teams
Nepal made history during their match at the Zhejiang University of Technology Pingfeng Cricket Field in Hangzhou. Kushal Malla hit a century in just 34 balls, setting a new record for the fastest T20I century ever. Dipendra Singh Airee also shined, scoring a 50 in just nine balls, which is the fastest fifty in T20 cricket. Mongolia were bowled out for only 41 runs, and Nepal’s 273-run win became the biggest victory (by runs) in T20 cricket history.
Among ICC full-member nations India holds the record for highest team total in T20 internationals. In October 2024, India scored 297/6 against Bangladesh. Sanju Samson scored a century in just 40 balls, leading India to win the match by 133 runs, as Bangladesh managed 164/7.
Before Nepal and India set their records, Afghanistan and the Czech Republic were tied for the highest score in T20 cricket. Afghanistan scored 278/3 against Ireland in 2019, with Hazratullah Zazai smashing an unbeaten 162 off 62 balls, and Usman Ghani contributing 73. Afghanistan won the match by 84 runs after Ireland scored 194/6.
Just six months later, the Czech Republic equaled Afghanistan’s total by reaching 278/4 against Turkey in the 2019 Continental Cup. Sudesh Wickramasekara top-scored with a quick 104 off 36 balls, while Sumit Pokhriyal added 79. Turkey were bowled out for just 21 runs, the second-lowest score in T20 history.
Before these teams, Australia held the record with 263/3 against Sri Lanka in 2016. Glenn Maxwell’s unbeaten 145 off 65 balls led Australia to an 85-run victory.
In 2022, Glenn Maxwell hit another incredible knock, this time in the Big Bash League. He scored 154* as the Melbourne Stars posted 273/2 against the Hobart Hurricanes, making it one of the highest T20 scores in history.