T20I cricket is generally associated with aggressive batting, and the first six overs often provide teams with an opportunity to make the most of fielding restrictions. While a total of 50-60 runs is considered a strong start, some teams have taken attacking batting to another level by crossing the 100-run mark during the powerplay.
India recently rewrote the record books with a sensational batting display against New Zealand in Wellington. Their opening pair smashed 118 runs without losing a wicket in six overs, surpassing Australia’s previous record for a full-member team. Here is a look at the five highest powerplay totals recorded by full-member teams in men’s T20Is.
Top 5 highest Powerplay totals in T20Is for full-member teams
1. India – 118/0 vs New Zealand
India recorded the highest powerplay total by a full-member team in men’s T20Is when they scored 118/0 against New Zealand in Wellington on October 27, 2026. Chasing a target of 199 in the third T20I, the visitors got off to a flying start through Abhishek Sharma and 15-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi.
The opening pair attacked from the first over, combining to hit 11 fours and 10 sixes during the fielding restrictions. They took India past the 100-run mark in just five overs, leaving New Zealand’s bowling attack struggling to contain the scoring rate. Abhishek later completed his century in 35 balls and finished with 113 off 38 deliveries. India eventually chased down the target in 13.2 overs, winning by six wickets and taking a 3-0 lead in the five-match series.
2. Australia – 113/1 vs Scotland
Australia occupy the second spot after scoring 113/1 in the powerplay against Scotland at The Grange Club in Edinburgh on September 4, 2024. Chasing 155, Australia suffered an early setback when Jake Fraser-McGurk was dismissed for a duck in the opening over.
However, Travis Head and captain Mitchell Marsh quickly took control of the innings. Head smashed 73 runs during the powerplay and reached his half-century in just 17 deliveries, putting Scotland under enormous pressure. Marsh provided aggressive support at the other end as Australia raced to 113/1 after six overs. The visitors completed the chase in only 9.4 overs, winning by seven wickets.
3. Zimbabwe – 103/1 vs Gambia
Zimbabwe recorded the third-highest powerplay total on this list after scoring 103/1 against Gambia during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub-Regional Africa Qualifier in Nairobi on October 23, 2024. Batting first at the Ruaraka Sports Club ground, Zimbabwe’s top order immediately took the attack to the Gambian bowlers.
Openers Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani played aggressively, finding boundaries regularly and putting the opposition under pressure. Zimbabwe crossed the 100-run mark within the first six overs and maintained their momentum after losing a wicket. They eventually posted 344/4, setting a record for the highest team total in men’s T20I cricket at the time.
4. South Africa – 102/0 vs West Indies
South Africa registered the fourth-highest powerplay total among full-member teams when they scored 102/0 against West Indies at SuperSport Park in Centurion on March 26, 2023. Chasing a massive target of 259, the Proteas needed an explosive start to remain in contention.
Openers Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendricks delivered a remarkable display of power-hitting. De Kock reached his half-century in just 15 balls, while Hendricks supported him with aggressive strokeplay. The pair raced past 100 runs in just 5.3 overs, putting South Africa firmly on course for a record-breaking chase. The hosts eventually won by six wickets with seven balls remaining, completing the highest successful run chase in men’s T20I cricket at the time.
5. England – 100/0 vs South Africa
England complete the list after scoring 100/0 in the powerplay against South Africa at Old Trafford in Manchester on September 12, 2025. The achievement came in the second T20I of the series, with openers Jos Buttler and Phil Salt attacking the visitors’ bowling attack from the outset.
Buttler led the charge with 65 off 32 deliveries, using a combination of powerful shots and innovative strokeplay to find regular boundaries. Salt provided support at the other end as England maintained a scoring rate of more than 16 runs per over during the opening six overs. The hosts went on to post 304/2 and secured a 146-run victory, completing a dominant performance with the bat.
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