What a finish, What a historic run chase by South Africa. The highest successful run chase in a T20 international cricket match was 236, achieved by West Indies against South Africa on January 9, 2015, at Johannesburg, South Africa. West Indies successfully chased down South Africa’s total of 231 with four balls to spare, winning the match by 4 wickets. BUT Today, South Africa broke the record set by West Indies against them. Top 5 Highest Run Chase in T20
South Africa has completed the highest-ever successful run chase in T20Is history! And with a ho-hum seven balls to spare!
Johnson Charles strikes a 39-ball century in the first innings and hardly anybody will remember it. Quinton De Kock makes his maiden T20I century in the chase as part of a blistering 152-run opening partnership in little more than 10 overs to make sure the home fans will leave Centurion with smiles across their faces. South Africa leveled the series 1-1.
Highest Run chase in the History of T20
The current record holder for the highest-ever successful run chase in T20Is is… Bulgaria chasing down 246 against Serbia in 2022. For Full Members, it is Australia chasing down 245 vs New Zealand in 2018.
In the game of cricket, there is always a possibility of a team chasing down a huge total in a limited-overs format, especially in the T20 format. T20 cricket is known for its unpredictability and the ability of a team to chase down any target. Over the years, there have been some incredible chases in T20 Internationals, with the highest total chased being 236 by West Indies against South Africa.
On January 9, 2015, West Indies and South Africa played a T20 international match at the New Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first. They got off to a brilliant start, with their openers Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock adding 71 runs for the first wicket in just six overs. Amla scored 41 off 20 balls, while de Kock made 43 off 31 balls.
The middle order of South Africa also contributed with valuable runs. AB de Villiers scored a quickfire 21 off 12 balls, David Miller made 47 off 26 balls, and JP Duminy chipped in with 29 off 18 balls. South Africa finished their innings on a mammoth total of 231 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs.
West Indies, on the other hand, had a shaky start to their innings. They lost their opener, Chris Gayle, early, and the other opener Dwayne Smith departed soon after. However, Marlon Samuels and Dwayne Bravo steadied the ship and started building a partnership. Samuels made a crucial contribution of 60 off 39 balls, while Bravo scored 40 off 26 balls.
Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell, and Darren Sammy then played some explosive innings to take West Indies closer to the target. Pollard scored 19 off just 6 balls, while Russell made 29 off 15 balls. Sammy then finished off the match in style, hitting two sixes in the penultimate over to take West Indies over the line. He remained unbeaten on 20 off just 7 balls, as West Indies chased down the target with four balls to spare.
This incredible chase by West Indies not only helped them win the match but also set a new record for the highest total chased in T20 Internationals. It was an incredible display of batting by the West Indian batsmen, who never gave up and kept believing in themselves.
Top 5 Highest Run Chase in T20 History
International cricket has always been a topic of discussion among cricket fans. Over the years, several teams have successfully chased down some high targets, showcasing the power of the T20 format. Let’s take a look at the top five highest runs chased in T20 international cricket.
- West Indies vs. South Africa – 236 runs:
On January 9, 2015, in Johannesburg, South Africa, West Indies successfully chased down a mammoth target of 236 runs against South Africa. West Indies chased the target in 19.2 overs with four wickets in hand. Lendl Simmons scored an unbeaten 100 off just 62 balls, while Andre Russell smashed 29 off just 15 balls to help West Indies cross the finish line.
- Australia vs. New Zealand – 245 runs:
On February 16, 2018, at Auckland, New Zealand, Australia chased down a target of 245 runs against the hosts. Australia chased down the target in 18.5 overs with five wickets in hand. D’Arcy Short scored an unbeaten 76 off just 44 balls, while David Warner smashed 59 off just 24 balls to set the platform for a memorable chase.
- South Africa vs. England – 230 runs:
On February 21, 2016, at Mumbai, India, South Africa chased down a target of 230 runs against England. South Africa chased down the target in 19.2 overs with two wickets in hand. J.P. Duminy scored an unbeaten 54 off just 28 balls, while David Miller smashed 28 off just 11 balls to guide South Africa home in a thrilling encounter.
- India vs. Sri Lanka – 216 runs:
On March 12, 2018, at Colombo, Sri Lanka, India chased down a target of 216 runs against the hosts. India chased down the target in 20 overs with six wickets in hand. Rohit Sharma scored an unbeaten 100 off just 56 balls, while Shikhar Dhawan contributed 48 off just 35 balls to help India register a historic victory.
- South Africa vs. West Indies – 215 runs:
On January 14, 2015, at Johannesburg, South Africa, West Indies chased down a target of 215 runs against the hosts. West Indies chased down the target in 19.4 overs.
