Highest runs chased in cricket since its beginning in 2005, T20I matches have consistently increased audience interest in white-ball cricket. Many T20 international matches have gone down to the final ball, with some even ending in a tie, and such games have kept the audience’s attention at an all-time high.
The most popular feature of the T20 game is watching a team chase down a challenging total set by their opponents. All totals are challenging, but enormous totals put the batsmen’s ability to score quickly and consistently to the test.
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The top five most successful run chases in T20 international history are as follows:
1. West Indies against. South Africa (236/6), Johannesburg, 2015.
No one gave West Indies a chance because this score had never been chased in franchise cricket before, but every Windies fan hoped and prayed that Chris Gayle would fire, and he did. Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels smashed every South African bowler in the New Wanderers Stadium, blasting them to every corner.
Chris Gayle hit 90 runs off 41 balls, including seven sixes, and Samuels hit 60 runs off 39 balls. They had a 152-run partnership between them. Captain Darren Sammy ensured West Indies crossed the line with 20* from 7 balls, despite a scare in the middle order. West Indies won the T20I series against South Africa by chasing a world record 236/6 with four balls to spare. Chris Gayle was named player of the game.
2. India defeated Sri Lanka by a score of 211/4 in Mohali in 2009.
In 2009, Sri Lanka toured India, and this was the second match in the T20I series, held in Mohali. Kumar Sangakkara (59), Sanath Jayasuriya (31), and Angelo Mathews (26 off 13 balls) were the biggest contributors, along with Chintaka Jayasinghe’s 38.
To win the match and the series, the Indians needed to score 207 runs. With 64 off 36 balls, Virender Sehwag set the tone for the chase. MS Dhoni (46 off 28 balls with 5 sixes) and Yuvraj Singh (60* off 25 balls with 5 sixes) ensured India didn’t lose momentum and led them to a famous victory, with Yuvraj winning the match with a six.
3. South Africa defeated the West Indies by a score of 208/2 in Johannesburg in 2007.
West Indies batted first, and Chris Gayle scored a record first-ever T20 International century, 117 off 57 balls, with another record-breaking 10 sixes. To keep him company, his opening partner Devon Smith scored 35, and West Indies scored a then-record 205/6.
The chase was arduous, but as the saying goes, when the going gets tough, the tough get going, and Herschelle Gibbs and Justin Kemp accomplished just that. Gibbs pounced on the West Indian bowlers right away, scoring a match-winning 90* from 55 deliveries. Kemp kept him company throughout the match, finishing with 46* from 22 balls.
South Africa prevailed by eight wickets, and the first World T20 kicked off with a bang, revolutionizing the game.
4. New Zealand vs Zimbabwe, 202/5, Hamilton, 2012.
In 2012, Zimbabwe toured New Zealand, and this was the second T20I of the series. In their 20 overs, Zimbabwe batted first and scored 200/2. Hamilton Masakadza (62 off 42 balls) and Captain Brendan Taylor (75* off 43 balls) scored the most runs.
Rob Nichols (56 off 37 balls) and James Franklin (60 off 37 balls) got the Kiwis off to a flying start, adding 103 runs in 10 overs. After they left, Brendon McCullum (38 off 24 balls) and Kane Williamson launched their final assault (20 off 5 balls).
With two balls to spare, the Kiwis made it to the objective. For his 60 runs, James Franklin was named Man of the Match.
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5. India defeated Australia by a score of 202/4 at Rajkot in 2013.
During the 2013-14 season, India and Australia played one-off T20Is in Rajkot. Australia won the toss and batted first, scoring 201/7 in the process. Aaron Finch top-scored with 89 from 52 balls, including 14 fours, with Nic Maddinson (34) and Glen Maxwell (34) also contributing significantly (27).
Yuvraj Singh, who had returned to the team, scored a scorching 77* in just 35 balls, with eight fours and five sixes. Shikhar Dhawan (32 off 19) and MS Dhoni backed him up (24 off 21). In 19.4 overs, India reached the goal.
