Stats: Highest powerplay scores for India in T20I cricket

After a dominant all-round performance in the ODI series, India took off in the T20I series in a similar way by taking on the home team’s inexperienced opening bowling attack. India’s top order went out with an attacking approach by hitting boundaries at the New Wanderers in Johannesburg. The South African skipper JP Duminy elected to bowl first on winning the toss at the venue which had a 100% record for the chasing teams in its last five T20Is.

India took the advantage of field restrictions by scoring 78 runs for the loss of two wickets with as many as eight fours and five sixes. Rohit Sharma started with two sixes and a four as India made 17 runs in the first over bowled by Dane Paterson. In the first of his International career, Junior Dala bagged the wicket of Rohit who scored a 9-ball 21. Comeback man Suresh Raina too showed his intentions but fell to Dala after a brief 7-ball 15.

Another opener Shikhar Dhawan and the Indian skipper Virat Kohli also hit boundaries as India raced at 13 an over. Dhawan hit a six and four to end the powerplay with 18 runs coming in the final over. The 78 runs India made in the first six overs are the highest they ever made in the powerplay overs of a T20I. India are often known to make a slow start without making many runs in the powerplay overs in the limited over formats. However, understanding the need of having a big total to defend, India went with a different approach.

Thus, India surpassed their previous highest total in the powerplay overs of a T20I which were 77 runs. They made 77 runs for the loss of one wicket in the first six overs in the T20I game at Nagpur against Sri Lanka. India were off to a flyer in the 216-run chase with Gautam Gambhir scoring a 19-ball fifty and Virender Sehwag scored a 14-ball 26. During the WT20 game in 2007, the same pair put on 76 in the powerplay while chasing 191 against New Zealand which was hosted by Jo’Burg. Sehwag’s 17-ball 40 was one of the key reasons for India’s rapid start in that match.

Highest scores by India in mandatory powerplay (1-6 overs) in T20I cricket:

(Stats as on February 18, 2018)