Baroda etched their name in cricketing history with a record-breaking performance in the final round of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy group stage, smashing the highest-ever men’s T20 total during their clash against Sikkim in Indore on Thursday. In a breathtaking display of power-hitting, Baroda posted an unprecedented 349/5 in 20 overs, surpassing Zimbabwe’s previous record of 344/4 against Gambia.
The foundation of this monumental feat was laid by Bhanu Pania, who hammered an unbeaten 134 off just 51 balls. His blistering innings, featuring five fours and a staggering 11 sixes, propelled Baroda past the 300-run mark in just 17.2 overs. This incredible achievement came in the absence of star all-rounder Hardik Pandya, further underscoring the team’s depth and determination in a must-win match.
Openers Shashwat Rawat and Abhimanyusingh Rajput set the tone with a 92-run partnership in just five overs. Rajput contributed a whirlwind 53 off 17 deliveries before his dismissal, but the momentum only intensified. Baroda became the first Indian domestic team outside the IPL to score over 100 runs in the PowerPlay, reaching an astounding 102/2 in just 5.3 overs.
WATCH – Team India Shuts Doors on Practice Sessions After Fan Heckling Incident In Australia
The scoring trajectory was jaw-dropping: 54/0 in 2.4 overs, 202/2 in 10.5 overs, and 349/5 by the end. At the halfway mark, Baroda had already amassed 180 runs, with Pania and Shivalik Sharma sustaining the carnage. They reached 200 in just 10.3 overs, making it the fastest team 200 in T20 history.
Baroda have smashed the highest men’s T20 total in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, hitting 37 sixes in their innings 😲
READ: https://t.co/gKBBLGfkkz pic.twitter.com/U5TsfQAWFB
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) December 5, 2024
This record-smashing performance also saw Baroda break multiple milestones:
- 349/5: Highest-ever men’s T20 total.
- 37 sixes: Most in a T20 innings, surpassing Zimbabwe’s 27 against Gambia.
- 294 boundary runs: Most in a T20 innings (37 sixes, 18 fours).
- 15 sixes by Pania: Joint-second most by an Indian in a T20 innings.
ALSO READ: Aakash Chopra opines on Rajasthan Royals’ backup issues heading into IPL 2025
Baroda entered the game third in their group, tied on 20 points with Saurashtra and Gujarat but trailing on Net Run Rate. Their historic innings provided the NRR boost needed to keep knockout hopes alive, contingent on the outcomes of Gujarat’s game against Karnataka and Saurashtra’s match against Tripura.
HISTORY CREATED IN SYED MUSHTAQ ALI. 🚨
– Baroda smashed record 349/5 in 20 overs against Sikkim in SMAT, the highest ever score in the history of T20 cricket. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/S91X9FDxNf
— Jaipal Abhishek singh (@JaipalabhishekS) December 5, 2024
SMAT’s new record: Baroda’s batsmen turned the scoreboard into a supernova with a dazzling 349/5! 🌟#SMAT2024 #Baroda #HighestT20ScoreEver pic.twitter.com/cuUbOE2EBw
— AI_SportsTalk (@DilPrabhat88) December 5, 2024
History has indeed been created in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) as Baroda achieved a record-breaking score of 349/5 in just 20 overs. This incredible feat not only sets a new benchmark in the SMAT but also marks the highest ever score in the history of T20 cricket.… pic.twitter.com/L2pWIW8Rlz
— Ritu Jaipur (@Ritukd31) December 5, 2024
Bhanu Pania – 134*(51).
Shivalik – 55(17).
Abhimanyu – 53(17).
Vishnu – 50(16).
Shashwat – 43(16).BARODA POSTED RECORD HIGHEST TOTAL IN T20 HISTORY – 349/5 (20 OVERS). 🤯😱 pic.twitter.com/usCiUptPvs
— Lorris (@lorris03) December 5, 2024
🚨Baroda creates history🚨
Baroda’s score of 349-5 against Sikkim in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy tournament is the highest-ever team total in men’s T20s
Details: https://t.co/wz4BH6Dk2D#BDAvSIK #SMAT pic.twitter.com/Ovyjcmc8D8
— Sportstar (@sportstarweb) December 5, 2024
Biggest runs win in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy:-
Baroda breaks the previous record by HUGE Margin!!
263 runs – Baroda beat Meghalaya, 2024*
179 runs – Andhra beat Nagaland, 2019
179 runs – Hyderabad beat Meghalaya, 2024
175 runs – Haryana beat Arunachal, 2024
173 runs – Jammu &… pic.twitter.com/aR94IeW8o3— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) December 5, 2024
