Top 5 Highest T20I Totals Of India At The R. Premadasa Stadium: Every time T20 cricket takes center stage in Sri Lanka, the focus always falls upon the legendary R. Premadasa Stadium. While it sometimes helps spinners, there have also been occasions when fearless batting has been rewarded. The Colombo stadium has seen its fair share of Indian batting heroics.
This ground has hosted five innings of over 170 runs scored by the Indian team during T20 internationals making this venue one of the top places for a visiting nation to score high totals in T20 international matches.
Top 5 Highest T20I Totals Of India at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
1. 176/3 vs Bangladesh – March 14, 2018
Result: India won by 17 runs
The highest-ever T20I score scored by India on this ground was 176/3 in 20 overs vs. Bangladesh. India was in complete control throughout their innings.
Rohit Sharma, captaining India, set a good example with his fine innings of 89 runs off 61 balls, with five fours and five sixes. Rohit had the right balance of being cautious at times during his innings as well as aggressive.
Shikhar Dhawan: 35 runs (good start)
Suresh Raina: 47 off 30 balls (middle overs surge)
The partnership for over 100 runs was a critical moment of the match as it shifted momentum away from Bangladesh and towards India. This partnership provided India with score that would ultimately be insurmountable for Bangladesh, allowing India to win the game by 17 runs.
2. 174/3 vs Sri Lanka – September 6, 2017
Result: India chased 171 in 19.2 overs
This innings stands out due to not only the total amount of runs that were scored, but also due to the mental state of composure displayed while under pressure during an innings of achievement. India were chasing a target of 171 runs to win, and they posted 174 runs for the loss of 3 wickets after 19.2 overs had been completed.
Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul were both dismissed early on in the innings; however; Virat Kohli dominated the innings with an exceptional performance of 82 runs from 54 deliveries.
Kohli displayed calmness throughout his innings & was able to go after the opposition with powerful strokes taking full control of his innings with calculated aggression.
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Manish Pandey also contributed magnificently with 51 off 36 balls. Kohli and Pandey formed a match-winning hundred-run partnership.
India took charge of the match in the middle overs, never allowing the required run rate to climb out of control. This was one of India’s best balanced and professional chases at the R. Premadasa Stadium.
3. 174/5 vs Sri Lanka – March 6, 2018
Result: Sri Lanka won
Though the team lost the game, this innings would be remembered for India’s grit. Chasing a total of 174/5 in 20 overs after a disastrous start of 9/2, India batted first. The turnaround was led by Shikhar Dhawan, who scored a sensational 90 off 49 balls.
Early dismissals: Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina were dismissed cheaply.
Dhawan started counter-attacking in the Power-Play. The partnership with Manish Pandey helped stabilize the innings. Though the opposition chased the total, India’s grit in scoring 174 after a disastrous start would be remembered.
4. 174/7 vs Sri Lanka – February 10, 2009
Result: India chased 172 successfully
Back in 2009, chasing a score higher than 170 in T20 cricket was a challenge. India’s chase of 172 runs makes this innings special.
India was under pressure after losing Sehwag and Gambhir early in the match. The middle-order batsmen did well:
Suresh Raina and Yuvi stabilized the innings.
India was in trouble at 115/7 in the match.
Then the match turned in India’s favor:
Yusuf Pathan: Scored 22 runs off 10 balls.
Irfan Pathan: Scored 33 runs off 16 balls.
The Pathan duo added 50 runs in just 23 balls, winning the match with 4 overs to spare. This is one of the most dramatic victories for the Indian cricket team in a T20 match at the R. Premadasa Stadium.
5. 170/4 vs England – September 23, 2012
Result: India won convincingly
India scored 170/4 in 20 overs against England. The innings was well structured, with all the players contributing to the game. Gautam Gambhir scored 45, laying a strong foundation for India. Virat Kohli scored 40, providing stability to India in the middle overs.
Rohit Sharma scored an unbeaten 55 off 33, providing a explosive finish to India’s innings.
The key factor in this game was India’s disciplined team batting. There was no reckless hitting, just smart play. When England started their innings, India’s spinners ran through their batting order, dismissing them for just 80.
Why India Dominates at the R. Premadasa Stadium
Several reasons account for India’s consistency in winning at the Colombo venue:
- Good adaptability in spin-friendly conditions
- Experienced middle-order batsmen who can rebuild the innings
- Good finishers in death overs
- Good spin attack in defense
- Scoring 170+ five times at the venue speaks volumes about India’s tactical acumen in T20 cricket.
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