Baroda Shatters Records with Highest Men’s T20 Total

Baroda etched their name in cricket history by registering the highest-ever total in men’s T20 cricket, amassing an astronomical 349 for 5 against Sikkim in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in Indore. This remarkable feat eclipsed Zimbabwe’s previous record of 344 for 4 against Gambia in Nairobi, set in October.

Adding to the fireworks, Baroda smashed 37 sixes during their innings, obliterating Zimbabwe’s record of 27 sixes in an innings, also achieved in their game against Gambia.

The onslaught was spearheaded by Bhanu Pania, who notched his maiden white-ball domestic hundred in spectacular fashion. Pania’s blistering century came off just 42 balls, with his first fifty arriving in 20 balls and the second in 22. He finished unbeaten on a jaw-dropping 134 off 51 deliveries, hammering 15 sixes and five fours at a strike rate of 262.75.

The foundation for Baroda’s historic innings was laid by an explosive 92-run opening stand inside the powerplay between Shashwat Rawat and Abhimanyusingh Rajput, who smashed a rapid 19-ball half-century.

The run-spree didn’t stop there. Shivalik Sharma blasted 55 off just 17 balls, while wicketkeeper-batter Vishnu Solanki smashed 50 off a mere 16 balls. Solanki’s dismissal in the 17th over, with Baroda just shy of 300, hardly slowed the momentum. Despite Hardik Pandya’s absence from the game, Baroda surged past the world record total with ease.

Chasing an insurmountable 350, Sikkim faltered, crawling to just 86 for 7 in their 20 overs. Only two of their batters managed to cross 15 runs. Baroda’s spinners—Krunal Pandya, Ninad Rathva, and Mahesh Pithiya—collectively picked up five wickets, sealing a colossal 263-run victory. This margin stands as the fourth-largest win in T20 cricket history in terms of runs.

Remarkably, Baroda is still second on the list of the highest T20 totals. Argentina women’s 427-1 over Chile women still retains the status as the record.