NEW DELHI: The ongoing T20I series between India and New Zealand has witnessed sparkling batting from both sides, with totals in excess of 200 in 20 overs no longer considered enough to guarantee a win.
India, boasting some of the world's most explosive batters, have made a mockery of bowling attacks by chasing 200-plus targets in just over 15 overs and racing past 150 in around 10 overs.
With the T20 World Cup just around the corner, similar fireworks can be expected, especially on Indian pitches. Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has added further excitement by predicting which teams could go on to score 300 runs in the upcoming event.
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Totals of 300-plus have been recorded only three times in T20I history so far, with England the only Full Member side to breach that extraordinary mark against South Africa last year. India came close when they smashed 297 against Bangladesh in Hyderabad in October 2024.
"I think Australia, India look as the teams to pass that 300-run mark. These are the two teams I would pick as the frontrunners to get this because of the kind of players both have. Very explosive, esepcially at the top and if one guy gets 100 at the top, then you're close to that 300," Shastri told Sanjana Ganesan on the ICC Review.
Shastri feels that the challenge will be even tougher for Suryakumar Yadav and his teammates, with India set to defend their title at home. According to the former India all-rounder, how the team begins the tournament will be crucial, as a strong or shaky start could define the campaign for the hosts.
"When you're defending your title and when you're playing at home, there is pressure and it comes from nowhere. You have a bad 15 minutes, a bad 10 minutes in a T20 game, it can decide the outcome of the game. And often, you lose those 10 minutes or 15 minutes because of pressure. So, it's how India handles that pressure, the way they start the tournament. If they start well, even if there is a hiccup on the way, they have got depth in batting to pull them out of it," Shastri added.
