India etched its name into the T20I record books on Saturday, setting a new high score for a full-member nation during the third match against Bangladesh in Hyderabad. The Indian team exploded for a staggering 297 runs in their 20 overs, leaving the previous best of 278 by Afghanistan against Ireland in 2019 firmly in the rearview mirror. This victory also shattered India’s own previous highest total of 260 runs, achieved against Sri Lanka in 2017. The team narrowly missed out on becoming the second nation, after Nepal, to cross the coveted 300-run mark in T20Is.
The driving force behind India’s monumental score was opener Sanju Samson, who smashed his way to a century, accumulating 111 runs off just 47 deliveries. His century, the second-fastest by an Indian in T20Is, was a testament to his explosive batting. Captain Suryakumar Yadav added his own brand of brilliance, blasting a rapid 75 runs off 35 deliveries.
Samson and Yadav’s partnership, a blistering 173 runs for the second wicket, formed the backbone of India’s dominant performance. Their explosive hitting left Bangladesh reeling, as India showcased their batting prowess on the world stage.