India produced a masterclass in aggressive batting at the JSCA International Stadium in Ranchi on Friday, posting a massive 249/5 in the second T20I of their five-match series against the West Indies. The total stands as India’s highest-ever score against the Caribbean side in the format, eclipsing the previous mark of 244/4 set in Lauderhill back in 2016.
The foundation for the imposing total was laid early, with India racing to 79/1 during the powerplay—their most productive opening six overs against this opposition. While the entire top and middle order contributed to the onslaught,
A Collective Batting Assault
Following the early departure of Abhishek Sharma, who contributed 20 from 12 balls, the momentum never wavered. Ishan Kishan, playing in his home state, delighted the crowd with a punchy 43 off 22 balls. Shreyas Iyer maintained the high scoring rate with a fluent 40 off 18 deliveries, ensuring the pressure remained firmly on the visiting bowlers throughout the middle overs.
The finishing touches were applied by Tilak Varma, who remained unbeaten on 44 from just 18 balls. His late-innings surge ensured that India finished with a flourish, pushing the final tally to a daunting 249. This performance further highlights India’s prolific six-hitting form in 2026, with the team having already cleared the ropes over 300 times in T20Is this calendar year, comfortably surpassing their previous annual record of 289.
Roston Chase Offers Resistance
Despite the carnage at the other end, West Indies bowler Roston Chase managed to provide a rare moment of control for the visitors. In a match where runs flowed freely, Chase delivered a disciplined spell, finishing with figures of 3/24 from his four overs. His ability to maintain a tight economy rate of six runs per over stood in stark contrast to the rest of the bowling attack, which struggled to contain the Indian batters' aggressive approach.
With a target of 250 required to level the series, the West Indies faced a monumental task to keep their hopes alive. The match underscored India's current dominance in the format, with the team's batting depth and intent proving too much for the opposition to handle on a high-scoring day in Ranchi.
