India register their highest-ever powerplay score in men’s T20I cricket

India produced a record-breaking powerplay on October 27, 2026, posting 118/0 across the first six overs of the 3rd T20I against New Zealand at Wellington. The total stands as the highest powerplay score India have ever recorded in men’s T20I cricket and, among all men’s T20I innings for which ball-by-ball data is available, it is the highest powerplay total in the format’s history.

Abhishek Sharma was the central figure in the assault who joined hands with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in this game. New Zealand pacer Jacob Duffy bore the heaviest burden among the bowlers, conceding 44 runs across his two powerplay overs. India reached the end of the sixth over without losing a single wicket, underlining the complete dominance of their batting unit during that phase.

How does India’s 118/0 compare with their own previous powerplay bests?

The Wellington effort stands well clear of every earlier powerplay total India have posted in men’s T20Is. Their previous best was 100/0, achieved against Afghanistan in Delhi in 2026. Prior to that, India had scored 95/1 against England at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai in 2025, and 94/2 against New Zealand in Guwahati in 2026.

The gap between the Wellington total and the next-best Indian effort is 18 runs, and the fact that no wicket fell across all six overs makes the achievement even more notable. India’s 100/0 against Afghanistan in Delhi also features in the all-time men’s T20I powerplay rankings, meaning the team now occupies two positions in that elite list.Here is the table formatted with your provided list:

Highest Powerplay Scores for India in T20Is

Where does 118/0 rank among the highest powerplay totals in men’s T20I history?

Across all men’s T20I innings for which ball-by-ball records exist, India’s 118/0 at Wellington tonight sits at the top of the all-time standings. Romania’s 116/0 against Serbia in Sofia in 2021 had previously been among the highest such totals. Australia’s 113/1 against Scotland in Edinburgh in 2024 and Zimbabwe’s 103/1 against Gambia at the Nairobi RSC in 2024 follow further down the list.

South Africa’s 102/0 against West Indies in Centurion in 2023 and England’s 100/0 against South Africa at Old Trafford in 2025 complete the top six, with India’s 100/0 against Afghanistan in Delhi in 2026 sitting alongside England’s effort in joint-sixth position. India now hold both the outright first position and a share of sixth on the all-time men’s T20I powerplay list.

Highest Totals in Overs 1–6 in Men’s T20Is