Last Updated: October 27, 2026 08:29 PM
The first six overs can shape a whole match in short cricket. Some sides have hit that phase with truly stunning power. Here is a simple list that ranks the best of them.
Men’s T20I Cricket and the Powerplay Race
India set a new record with 118/0 against New Zealand. They played that innings in Wellington on October 27, 2026. The powerplay matters because only two fielders can stand outside the inner circle.
Our list covers the five teams with highest powerplay scores in this format.
- India: 118/0 Against New Zealand
India scored 118/0 in Wellington in October 2026. During the powerplay, Abhishek Sharma hit a fifty off just 15 balls to start the storm. That total beat the old record by five runs.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi added 45 runs off 19 balls at the other end. The pair put on 133 runs off 44 balls for the first wicket.
- Australia: 113/1 Against Scotland
Australia held the old record with 113/1 against Scotland in Edinburgh in 2024. Travis Head led that attack with 73 runs in the powerplay.
- Zimbabwe: 103/1 Against Gambia
Zimbabwe scored 103/1 against Gambia in Nairobi in 2024. Their openers crossed the 100-run mark with bold and aggressive batting.
- South Africa: 102/0 Against the West Indies
South Africa posted 102 without loss against the West Indies in Centurion in 2023. They reached that big milestone without losing a single wicket in the first six overs.
- England: 100/0 Against South Africa
England scored 100 without loss against South Africa in Manchester in 2025. That strong score completed the top five on this list of powerplay giants.
What This Record Means
India also scored 100 without loss against Afghanistan in Delhi in 2026. Only India and Australia have passed 110 runs in the first six overs. Suryavanshi’s quick start also shows how young talent can change big matches.
These numbers show how fast Men’s T20I cricket has changed in recent years. Fans can expect more big totals in Men’s T20I cricket as batters take bigger risks.
