Whether it was Rohit Sharma's class, Yashasvi Jaiswal's aggression, or Abhishek Sharma's fireworks, these chases proved why India remains a powerhouse in T20 cricket
India kicked off the five-match T20I series against England in style, delivering a commanding performance at Eden Gardens. With the second match approaching in Chennai, the excitement is already building. In this article, we delve into India's fastest 130+ run chases in T20Is, showcasing their ability to dominate under pressure and turn modest targets into thrilling victories.
𝗔 𝗱𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘀! 💪 💪#TeamIndia off to a flying start in the T20I series, sealing a 7⃣-wicket win! 👏 👏
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 22, 2025
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When England set a modest target of 133, few anticipated the storm Abhishek Sharma would unleash. He dismantled England's bowling attack with an explosive 79 off 34 balls, hammering eight sixes and five fours. Chasing the target in just 12.5 overs, India's batting looked unstoppable. Even the early dismissal of Suryakumar Yadav for a duck couldn't dent their momentum. Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma steadied the innings to ensure a seamless victory. Earlier, Jos Buttler's resilient 68 off 44 balls was the lone bright spot for England as they were bowled out for 132. Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, and Axar Patel were relentless, making it a complete team effort.
It was a night of farewells and fireworks as India faced Namibia in the T20 World Cup. Chasing a target of 133, Rohit Sharma played a majestic knock of 56 off 37 balls, setting the tone for an emphatic win. KL Rahul matched his brilliance, finishing unbeaten on 54 off 36. Their elegance at the crease made the chase look effortless, ending it in just 15.2 overs. Namibia's batters, however, were left floundering against India's spinners. Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin combined for six wickets, restricting Namibia to 132/8. The match marked the end of Virat Kohli's tenure as T20 captain and showcased the team's dominance with both bat and ball.
Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill scripted a masterpiece against Zimbabwe, chasing 152 in just 15.4 overs. Jaiswal's breathtaking 93 not out was filled with elegant drives and powerful pulls, while Gill's composed 50 ensured India's 10-wicket win. The pair hit 10 boundaries in the first four overs, stunning the hosts. Zimbabwe skipper Sikandar Raza led from the front with a gritty knock, guiding his team to 152/7. However, India's batting brilliance rendered their efforts futile, sealing an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series.
Rajkot witnessed a Rohit Sharma special as India chased Bangladesh's 153-run target in just 15.4 overs. Rohit's fiery 85 off 43 balls included six towering sixes, showcasing his incredible range of shots. Opening with Shikhar Dhawan (31), Rohit made the chase appear like a stroll in the park. Earlier, Bangladesh started strong, racing to 54/0 in the Powerplay, but their middle order faltered against India's spinners. Yuzvendra Chahal's disciplined bowling (2/28) and Washington Sundar's tight spells turned the game in India's favour, levelling the series 1-1.
In a thrilling encounter in Indore, India chased down Afghanistan's target of 173 in just 15.4 overs. Yashasvi Jaiswal's blistering 68 off 34 balls and Shivam Dube's unbeaten 63 off 32 ensured India's victory. Despite losing Rohit Sharma for a golden duck, the pair's aggressive approach built a 92-run partnership in just seven overs. Afghanistan, led by Gulbadin Naib's 57 off 35 balls, had posted a challenging 172. Axar Patel and Arshdeep Singh's disciplined bowling curtailed their momentum. However, Jaiswal's fearless stroke play and Dube's finishing touches overwhelmed Afghanistan, extending India's home T20I dominance.
