Sri Lanka holds the record for the highest team total in T20 World Cup history, having smashed 260/6 against Kenya in Johannesburg during the 2007 edition.
The T20 World Cup has witnessed numerous high-scoring encounters over the years, with teams consistently pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the shortest format.
These explosive innings have featured some of cricket’s most destructive batting performances, where batsmen have thrown caution to the wind to post mammoth totals. Let’s take a look at the list of the highest team totals in T20 World Cup history.
Top 10 Highest Team Totals in T20 World Cup
The T20 World Cup has produced some extraordinary batting displays, with teams regularly crossing the 200-run mark. Here are the ten highest totals ever recorded in the tournament’s history.
| Rank | Team | Score | Overs | Run Rate | Opposition | Venue | Match Date | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sri Lanka | 260/6 | 20 | 13.00 | Kenya | Johannesburg | Sep 14, 2007 | Won by 172 runs |
| 2 | England | 230/8 | 19.4 | 11.69 | South Africa | Mumbai (Wankhede) | Mar 18, 2016 | Won by 2 wickets |
| 3 | South Africa | 229/4 | 20 | 11.45 | England | Mumbai (Wankhede) | Mar 18, 2016 | Lost by 2 wickets |
| 4 | India | 218/4 | 20 | 10.90 | England | Durban | Sep 19, 2007 | Won by 18 runs |
| 5 | West Indies | 218/5 | 20 | 10.90 | Afghanistan | Gros Islet | Jun 17, 2024 | Won by 104 runs |
| 6 | South Africa | 211/5 | 20 | 10.55 | Scotland | The Oval | Jun 07, 2009 | Won by 130 runs |
| 7 | India | 210/2 | 20 | 10.50 | Afghanistan | Abu Dhabi | Nov 03, 2021 | Won by 66 runs |
| 8 | South Africa | 209/5 | 20 | 10.45 | Afghanistan | Mumbai (Wankhede) | Mar 20, 2016 | Won by 37 runs |
| 9 | South Africa | 208/2 | 17.4 | 11.77 | West Indies | Johannesburg | Sep 11, 2007 | Won by 8 wickets |
| 10 | West Indies | 205/6 | 20 | 10.25 | South Africa | Johannesburg | Sep 11, 2007 | Lost by 8 wickets |
1. Sri Lanka vs Kenya – 260/6 (Johannesburg, 2007)
Sri Lanka’s demolition of Kenya in the 2007 T20 World Cup remains the highest total in tournament history. Sanath Jayasuriya led the carnage with a blistering 88 off just 44 balls, smashing 11 fours and 4 sixes at a strike rate of 200.
Captain Mahela Jayawardene contributed a magnificent 65 off 27 balls at a strike rate of 240.74, while Jehan Mubarak finished unbeaten on 46 off 13 balls with a stunning strike rate of 353.84. Kumar Sangakkara added 30 off 18 balls, as Sri Lanka plundered 260 runs in their 20 overs at a run rate of 13.00, the highest in T20 World Cup history.
Kenya’s chase never took off as they were bundled out for just 88 in 19.3 overs, with David Obuya top-scoring with 18 and Tanmay Mishra making 16.
| Match Summary | Details |
|---|---|
| Sri Lanka Innings | 260/6 (20 overs) |
| Kenya Innings | 88 all out (19.3 overs) |
| Man of the Match | Sanath Jayasuriya (88 off 44 & 1/9) |
| Venue | Johannesburg |
| Result | Sri Lanka won by 172 runs |
2. England vs South Africa – 230/8 (Mumbai, 2016)
England produced a sensational chase at the Wankhede Stadium, scoring 230/8 in 19.4 overs to secure a thrilling 2-wicket victory. Chasing South Africa’s 229/4, Joe Root anchored the chase brilliantly with 83 off 44 balls, striking at 188.63 with impressive shot selection.
Jason Roy provided the explosive start with 43 off 16 balls at a strike rate of 268.75, while Jos Buttler contributed 21 off 14 balls. Alex Hales added 17 off 7 balls in the powerplay blitz. The innings featured remarkable partnerships and fearless batting, with England requiring just 1 run from the final 2 balls to complete one of the greatest chases in T20 World Cup history.
| Match Summary | Details |
|---|---|
| South Africa Innings | 229/4 (20 overs) |
| England Innings | 230/8 (19.4 overs) |
| Man of the Match | Joe Root (83 off 44) |
| Venue | Mumbai (Wankhede) |
| Result | England won by 2 wickets |
3. South Africa vs England – 229/4 (Mumbai, 2016)
In the same thrilling encounter, South Africa posted a formidable 229/4, setting up what would become one of the tournament’s most memorable matches. Quinton de Kock blazed away with 52 off 24 balls at a strike rate of 216.66, while Hashim Amla crafted a brilliant 58 off 31 balls with 8 fours and 3 sixes.
Jean-Paul Duminy remained unbeaten on 54 off 28 balls, striking at 192.85 with crucial boundaries in the death overs. AB de Villiers contributed a quickfire 16 off 8 balls, while David Miller finished with 28 off 12 balls at a blistering strike rate of 233.33, taking South Africa past the 220-mark.
| Match Summary | Details |
|---|---|
| South Africa Innings | 229/4 (20 overs) |
| England Innings | 230/8 (19.4 overs) |
| Man of the Match | Joe Root (83 off 44) |
| Venue | Mumbai (Wankhede) |
| Result | South Africa lost by 2 wickets |
4. India vs England – 218/4 (Durban, 2007)
India’s explosive batting display at Kingsmead featured one of T20 cricket’s most iconic innings. Yuvraj Singh produced a devastating performance, smashing 58 off just 16 balls with 3 fours and an incredible 6 sixes, including the famous six sixes in an over off Stuart Broad.
Gautam Gambhir laid the foundation with a well-crafted 58 off 41 balls, while Virender Sehwag contributed 68 off 52 balls at a strike rate of 130.76. MS Dhoni remained unbeaten on 10 off 8 balls. The pair of Gambhir and Sehwag added 136 runs for the first wicket, setting the platform for Yuvraj’s late onslaught that propelled India to 218/4.
England fought back valiantly with Kevin Pietersen’s 39 off 23 balls and Vikram Solanki’s 43 off 31 balls, but fell 18 runs short, finishing at 200/6 in their 20 overs.
| Match Summary | Details |
|---|---|
| India Innings | 218/4 (20 overs) |
| England Innings | 200/6 (20 overs) |
| Man of the Match | Yuvraj Singh (58 off 16) |
| Venue | Durban |
| Result | India won by 18 runs |
5. West Indies vs Afghanistan – 218/5 (Gros Islet, 2024)
West Indies equaled India’s 2007 total with a magnificent batting performance at Gros Islet. Nicholas Pooran was the star of the show, smashing a breathtaking 98 off 53 balls with 6 fours and 8 sixes at a strike rate of 184.90.
Johnson Charles provided the early impetus with 43 off 27 balls, striking 8 boundaries. Shai Hope contributed a quick-fire 25 off 17 balls with 2 sixes, while captain Rovman Powell added 26 off 15 balls, including crucial boundaries in the death overs. Andre Russell remained unbeaten on 3.
Afghanistan’s bowlers had no answers as West Indies plundered 218 runs. In reply, Afghanistan collapsed to 114 all out in just 16.2 overs, with Ibrahim Zadran top-scoring with 38 off 28 balls and Azmatullah Omarzai making 23, as West Indies secured a dominant 104-run victory.
| Match Summary | Details |
|---|---|
| West Indies Innings | 218/5 (20 overs) |
| Afghanistan Innings | 114 all out (16.2 overs) |
| Man of the Match | Nicholas Pooran (98 off 53) |
| Venue | Gros Islet |
| Result | West Indies won by 104 runs |
6. South Africa vs Scotland – 211/5 (The Oval, 2009)
South Africa demolished Scotland at The Oval with AB de Villiers leading the charge. De Villiers remained unbeaten on a magnificent 79 off just 34 balls, striking at an incredible 232.35 with 5 fours and 3 sixes.
Jacques Kallis contributed a solid 48 off 31 balls, while captain Graeme Smith added 38 off 29 balls at the top. Albie Morkel provided the late fireworks with 24 off 11 balls, striking at 218.18. Mark Boucher chipped in with a quick 2 off 3 balls. South Africa’s total of 211/5 proved far too much for Scotland, who were bundled out for just 81 in 15.4 overs.
Kyle Coetzer fought a lone battle with 42 off 32 balls, while Majid Haq added 15, but no other Scottish batsman reached double figures as they suffered a comprehensive 130-run defeat.
| Match Summary | Details |
|---|---|
| South Africa Innings | 211/5 (20 overs) |
| Scotland Innings | 81 all out (15.4 overs) |
| Man of the Match | AB de Villiers (79* off 34) |
| Venue | The Oval, London |
| Result | South Africa won by 130 runs |
7. India vs Afghanistan – 210/2 (Abu Dhabi, 2021)
India’s commanding performance in Abu Dhabi was built on solid opening partnerships and explosive finishing. Rohit Sharma top-scored with a magnificent 74 off 47 balls, striking at 157.44 with 7 fours and 3 sixes. KL Rahul complemented him perfectly with 69 off 48 balls at a strike rate of 143.75.
The opening pair added 140 runs before Rohit departed. Hardik Pandya then unleashed carnage, remaining unbeaten on 35 off just 13 balls with a strike rate of 269.23. Rishabh Pant contributed an unbeaten 27 off 13 balls, striking at 207.69. The late assault from Pandya and Pant took India to an imposing 210/2.
Afghanistan’s chase never gained momentum as they managed 144/7 in their 20 overs, with Mohammad Nabi’s fighting 35 off 32 balls and Karim Janat’s unbeaten 42 off 22 balls providing some resistance, but they fell short by 66 runs.
| Match Summary | Details |
|---|---|
| India Innings | 210/2 (20 overs) |
| Afghanistan Innings | 144/7 (20 overs) |
| Man of the Match | Rohit Sharma (74 off 47) |
| Venue | Abu Dhabi |
| Result | India won by 66 runs |
8. South Africa vs Afghanistan – 209/5 (Mumbai, 2016)
South Africa’s batting masterclass at the Wankhede featured AB de Villiers at his destructive best. De Villiers hammered 64 off 29 balls at a phenomenal strike rate of 220.68, smashing 4 fours and 3 sixes. Quinton de Kock provided the foundation with 45 off 31 balls, while captain Faf du Plessis contributed a crucial 41 off 27 balls.
Jean-Paul Duminy remained unbeaten on 29 off 20 balls, guiding the innings through the middle overs. David Miller finished with a blazing 19 off 8 balls at a strike rate of 237.50, helping South Africa post 209/5.
Afghanistan showed fighting spirit in their chase, with Mohammad Shahzad blasting 44 off 19 balls and Samiullah Shinwari adding 25 off 14 balls, but they were eventually bowled out for 172 in 20 overs, losing by 37 runs. Chris Morris’ 4/27 dismantled Afghanistan’s middle order.
| Match Summary | Details |
|---|---|
| South Africa Innings | 209/5 (20 overs) |
| Afghanistan Innings | 172 all out (20 overs) |
| Man of the Match | Chris Morris (4/27) |
| Venue | Mumbai (Wankhede) |
| Result | South Africa won by 37 runs |
9. South Africa vs West Indies – 208/2 (Johannesburg, 2007)
South Africa produced a record-breaking chase in the tournament’s opening match, overhauling West Indies’ 205/6 with remarkable ease. Herschelle Gibbs was the star, remaining unbeaten on 90 off 55 balls with 10 fours and 1 six, striking at 163.63.
AB de Villiers contributed a quick 16 off 9 balls before Justin Kemp took charge, blasting an unbeaten 46 off 22 balls at a strike rate of 209.09. Captain Graeme Smith provided the initial thrust with 28 off 21 balls.
The third-wicket partnership of 120 runs between Gibbs and Kemp sealed the chase with 14 balls remaining, as South Africa reached 208/2 in just 17.4 overs. Earlier, Chris Gayle’s explosive 117 off 57 balls with 10 sixes had powered West Indies to 205/6, but it wasn’t enough to stop South Africa’s clinical chase.
| Match Summary | Details |
|---|---|
| West Indies Innings | 205/6 (20 overs) |
| South Africa Innings | 208/2 (17.4 overs) |
| Man of the Match | Chris Gayle (117 off 57) |
| Venue | Johannesburg |
| Result | South Africa won by 8 wickets |
10. West Indies vs South Africa – 205/6 (Johannesburg, 2007)
The tournament’s opening match witnessed Chris Gayle’s brutal assault on South African bowlers. Gayle smashed a breathtaking 117 off just 57 balls with 7 fours and an incredible 10 sixes, striking at 205.26 in one of T20 cricket’s greatest individual innings.
Devon Smith provided excellent support with 35 off 34 balls, putting on 145 runs for the opening wicket. Shivnarine Chanderpaul contributed 11 off 10 balls, while Ramnaresh Sarwan added 12 off 8 balls in the death overs.
Despite Gayle’s heroics and the imposing total of 205/6, West Indies couldn’t defend it as South Africa chased it down with 14 balls to spare. Herschelle Gibbs’ unbeaten 90 off 55 balls and Justin Kemp’s explosive 46 off 22 balls powered South Africa to 208/2 in just 17.4 overs, completing a memorable 8-wicket victory.
| Match Summary | Details |
|---|---|
| West Indies Innings | 205/6 (20 overs) |
| South Africa Innings | 208/2 (17.4 overs) |
| Man of the Match | Chris Gayle (117 off 57) |
| Venue | Johannesburg |
| Result | West Indies lost by 8 wickets |
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Conclusion: Sri Lanka Has The Highest Team Total Of 260/6
The T20 World Cup has consistently delivered breathtaking batting exhibitions, with teams rewriting record books across different editions. From Sri Lanka’s monumental 260/6 in 2007 to West Indies’ recent 218/5 in 2024, these high-scoring encounters have showcased the evolution of aggressive batting in the shortest format.
These memorable innings, featuring legendary performances from players like Gayle, Jayasuriya, Yuvraj, and Pooran, continue to inspire future generations and demonstrate the limitless entertainment T20 cricket provides to fans worldwide.
