SMAT: Bhanu Pania Leads Baroda to Smash World Record for Highest T20 Total, Scoring 349 in 20 Overs

Baroda made history on Thursday, December 5, 2024, in Indore, setting a new world record for the highest total in a T20 match. In a remarkable Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy encounter against Sikkim, Baroda posted a staggering 349/5 in 20 overs, surpassing the previous record of 344/4.

The fireworks were led by Bhanu Pania, whose explosive 51-ball 134 set the tone for the innings. Pania's destructive hitting included 15 sixes, contributing significantly to Baroda’s record-breaking total. Baroda also set a new benchmark for the most sixes in a T20 innings, blasting 37 in total.

🚨 HISTORY CREATED IN SMAT. 🚨

Baroda smashed record 349/5 in 20 overs in SMAT, the highest ever score in the history of T20 Cricket.

Bhanu Pania Scored 134 Runs Off 51 Balls and remains Not Out and he hitted 15 Sixes and 5 Fours.#SMAT2024 pic.twitter.com/czWjGjPPHo

— 🚩🇮🇳 𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐇𝐈 𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐇 𝟏𝟖 ❤️ (@_Goat_Kohli_18) December 5, 2024

Despite resting star all-rounder Hardik Pandya, Baroda's opening pair of Abhimanyu Singh (53 off 17 balls) and Shahwat Rawat (43 off 16 balls) got them off to a blistering start, adding 92 runs in just five overs. However, they lost both openers quickly, leaving the score at 108/2.

The middle order continued the assault, with Pania and Shivalik Sharma putting on a devastating 94-run partnership in just five overs. Sharma contributed with a quick-fire 40, including six sixes and three boundaries.

Wicketkeeper Vikram Solanki added to the carnage, finishing with a sensational 50 from 16 balls, including six sixes. Baroda raced past the 300-run mark in record time, making them the first team in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy to surpass 300 in a T20 innings.

Baroda's 349/5 now stands as the highest total in T20 cricket, surpassing Zimbabwe’s 344/4.

Record Alert 🚨

349 runs 😮, 37 sixes 🔥

Baroda have rewritten the history books in Indore! They smashed 349/5 against Sikkim, the highest total in T20 history, & set a new record for most sixes in an innings - 37 👏#SMAT | @IDFCFIRSTBank

Scorecard: https://t.co/otTAP0gZsD pic.twitter.com/ec1HL5kNOF

— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) December 5, 2024

Highest Team Totals in T20 Cricket:

1. Baroda: 349/5 vs Sikkim, Indore, 2024

2. Zimbabwe: 344/4 vs Gambia, Nairobi, 2024
3. Nepal: 314/3 vs Mongolia, Hangzhou, 2023
4. India: 297/6 vs Bangladesh, Hyderabad, 2024