The Men in Blue concluded the Asia Cup on a high after a 101-run victory against Afghanistan. Batting first, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli stitched a 119-run stand. Kohli dismissed on a duck against Sri Lanka, silenced the critics with his maiden T20I century. Promoted to open the innings in the absence of Rohit Sharma, the former Indian skipper batted till the end of the innings and remained unbeaten on 122 off 61 balls. Other than equalling Ricky Ponting’s tally of 71 international centuries, Virat broke Rohit’s record for the highest T20I score by an Indian. Similarly to Kohli, several other Indian players have played match-winning knocks batting at different positions. Thus, this article will focus on the highest T20I score for India at each batting position.
No.1 – Rohit Sharma – 118 against Sri Lanka, 2017
Indian Skipper Rohit Sharma scored his 2nd T20I century against Sri Lanka in 2017 when he amassed 118 off 43 balls. It is the highest score by an Indian in T20Is at the No.1 position. The 35-year-old registered the then-highest T20I score by an Indian in T20Is. His innings included 12 fours and ten sixes. India registered their highest-ever T20I total in that match (260).
No.2 – Virat Kohli – 122 against Afghanistan, 2022
The former Indian skipper scored his maiden T20I century against Afghanistan in India’s last Super 4 round match. He was promoted to the No. 2 position. Virat scored 122 off 61 balls, which included 12 fours and six sixes. He broke a plethora of records with his hundred. Kohli surpassed KL Rahul’s highest score (91) while batting at No.2.
No. 3 – Deepak Hooda- 104 against Ireland, 2022
The 27-year-old all-rounder made his international debut in 2022 against Sri Lanka. However, the LSG star emerged as a serious contender for the national team after an impressive IPL. Hooda was in good touch on the Ireland tour, where he batted at No.3 in the 2nd T20I and scored a century to become the fourth Indian to touch the milestone. Hooda hit a brilliant 104 off 57 balls and registered the highest individual score for India at No.3 in T20Is.
No.4. Suryakumar Yadav – 117 against England, 2022
Playing in the 3rd T20I against England, Suryakumar Yadav became the fifth Indian to score a T20I century. He amassed 117 off 55 balls and resurrected the Indian innings. However, his efforts went in vain as the Men in Blue lost the game. Nevertheless, SKY’s brilliant knock is the highest individual score by an Indian player at No.4.
No.5 – Manish Pandey – 79 against South Africa, 2018
The 32-year-old has been out of the international scene for almost two years. Nevertheless, Pandey is the highest run-getter for India in T20Is at No.5. The LSG star amassed 79 runs against South Africa in the 2nd T20I on February 21, 2018. Despite a valuable knock, Proteas defeated India by six wickets.
No. 6 – Dinesh Karthik – 55 against South Africa, 2022
The 37-year-old Indian star made an inspiring comeback to the national side against the Proteas after a brilliant IPL season with RCB. In the 4th match against South Africa, batting at No.6, Karthik scored 55 off 27 balls, which led India to win. The wicketkeeper won the player of the match award for his performance.
No.7- Ravindra Jadeja – 44 runs against Australia, 2020
In the 1st T20I against Australia in 2020, Ravindra Jadeja scored a quickfire 44 off 23 balls. The innings included five fours and a six. No other Indian has scored more runs in an innings batting at No.7. Jadeja’s knock resulted in India winning the match by 11 runs.
No. 8 – Krunal Pandya – 26 against New Zealand, 2019
Krunal Pandya scored his highest T20I score of 26 against New Zealand in the 3rd T20I in 2019. It is the highest T20I score by an Indian batting at the No.8 slot.
No.9 – Irfan Pathan – 33 against Sri Lanka, 2009
In the only T20I played between India and Sri Lanka in 2009, Irfan Pathan showed his batting prowess in the shortest format of the game and scored an unbeaten 33 to help India win the match. Pathan’s knock of 33 off 16 balls included two fours and two sixes.
No. 10- S. Sreesanth- 19 against New Zealand, 2007
Sreesanth played a 19-run knock batting at No.10 for India in the 2007 T20 World Cup match against New Zealand. His record of most runs by an Indian player at the No.10 spot stands even after 15 years.
No.11 – Ishant Sharma- 5 runs against Sri Lanka, 2009
Ishant Sharma’s 5 runs against Sri Lanka in 2009 is his highest score in T20Is. Further, it is also the top score in T20I by an Indian player in the last position.