The upcoming T20 World Cup promises to be a run-fest, particularly with several matches scheduled to be played in India, where batting-friendly conditions have become the norm. Over the last few IPL seasons, fans have witnessed teams not only posting mammoth first-innings totals but also chasing down targets that once seemed impossible.

Against this backdrop, former India head coach Ravi Shastri has made a bold prediction, naming India and Australia as the two teams most likely to breach the unprecedented 300-run mark in the tournament. Speaking on the ICC Review with Sanjana Ganesan, Shastri highlighted the explosive firepower both sides possess at the top of the order.

According to him, modern T20 cricket has reached a stage where one extraordinary innings can completely alter expectations. “I think Australia, India look as the teams to pass that 300-run mark. These are the two teams I would pick as the frontrunners to get this because of the kind of players both have. Very explosive, especially at the top and if one guy gets 100 at the top, then you’re close to that 300,” Ravi Shastri said.

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Historically, such numbers have been unheard of in World Cups. The highest total in T20 World Cup history remains Sri Lanka’s 260 against Kenya in the inaugural 2007 edition. India’s best effort in the tournament also came that year, when they smashed 218 against England, while Australia’s highest World Cup total stands at 201.

However, with flatter pitches, shorter boundaries and fearless batting approaches, those records could soon be under threat. Ravi Shastri also pointed out that defending champions India will face a different kind of challenge — handling pressure at home. With expectations sky-high, even a brief lapse can prove costly in the shortest format.

“When you’re defending your title and when you’re playing at home, there is pressure and it comes from nowhere… You have a bad 10 or 15 minutes in a T20 game, it can decide the outcome,” he observed, adding that a strong start could help India settle quickly.

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India have been placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, Namibia, the Netherlands and the USA. They begin their campaign on February 7 with a clash against the USA at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, a venue known for high-scoring thrillers — and possibly, historic totals.