Baroda, Dec 05 (V7N) — T20 cricket, often dubbed a "festival of fours and sixes," witnessed an extraordinary display of power-hitting as Baroda rewrote the record books against Sikkim in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Posting an astronomical 349 runs in 20 overs, Baroda now holds the record for the highest team total in a recognized men's T20 match.

The previous highest T20 total by a Test-playing nation was 297, achieved by India against Bangladesh. However, Baroda's total surpassed even Zimbabwe's 344 runs against Gambia, setting a new global benchmark.

The match was a flurry of records:

  • Fastest 200 Runs: Baroda reached the double-century mark in just 10.3 overs, the quickest in T20 history.
  • Most Sixes in an Innings: The team smashed an incredible 37 sixes, obliterating the previous record of 27 set by Zimbabwe.
  • Third Team to Cross 300: Baroda joined Nepal (314 vs. Mongolia) and Zimbabwe (344 vs. Gambia) in the elite club of teams scoring 300+ in T20 cricket.

Key Performers

  • Bhanu Pania: Baroda’s star batter, Bhanu hammered a breathtaking 134 runs off 51 balls, reaching his century in just 42 deliveries. His innings included a barrage of sixes that demoralized the Sikkim bowling attack.
  • Shashat Rawat and Abhimanyu Singh Rajput: The openers set the tone with a blistering 92-run partnership in the first 5 overs, propelling Baroda to a team score of 100 before the end of the powerplay.

Baroda's innings was a boundary-filled extravaganza, with the ball frequently soaring into the stands. The 37 sixes hit during the innings shattered Zimbabwe’s previous record and underscored the sheer dominance of Baroda's batters.

Baroda's astonishing performance has set a new standard for T20 cricket, thrilling fans with its high-octane entertainment. The feat cements Baroda's place in history, showcasing the explosive potential of the format.

Cricket enthusiasts worldwide will undoubtedly look to this match as an example of the heights T20 cricket can achieve, as the format continues to evolve into a spectacle of raw power and innovation.

END/RH/AJ