Monster Chases | Highest Run Chases in T20 Cricket History

T20 cricket is synonymous with the big hits and high scoring encounters. Over the years, there have been some mammoth targets successfully chased down by teams in T20I matches. In this article, we look back at the highest run chases in T20 cricket.

The Excitement of T20 Chases

Before getting into the details, let’s understand what makes T20I chases so thrilling:

The limited 20 overs and fast-scoring nature means teams can set huge targets approaching 200 runs.
Batting second, teams know the exact runs needed and can plan the chase better.
Short boundaries, fielding restrictions and potent bats make mammoth chases possible.
Chases going down to the wire with klaxon noises create an electrifying atmosphere.
Innovative and aggressive batting make T20 chases a visual spectacle for fans.

So when teams successfully scale gargantuan targets, it makes for an incredible contest. Let’s revisit some such run chases.

Australia’s 245/5 vs New Zealand, 2018

The highest successful run chase in T20I cricket history came during Australia’s trans-Tasman clash against New Zealand at Auckland in 2018.

Batting first, New Zealand plundered 243/6 riding on whirlwind knocks from Martin Guptill (105 off 54 balls) and Colin Munro (76 off 33 balls). It seemed an impossible target.

But the Aussies, led by David Warner’s sensational hundred, shocked the hosts by chasing down the mammoth total with 7 balls to spare. It was explosive batting as Australia etched their name in the T20I record books.

West Indies Chase 228 vs South Africa in 2016

At the Wankhede stadium in the 2016 T20 World Cup, West Indies’ superstars successfully chased down a massive target of 229 set by rampant South Africa.

Riding on attacking centuries from Quinton de Kock and Faf du Plessis, the Proteas posted a daunting 228/4 batting first. But Chris Gayle and Johnson Charles got the Windies off to a blazing start in response.

Andre Russell hit a belligerent 43 off just 20 balls as West Indies clinched a thrilling 3-wicket win off the last ball. Chasing over 225 runs was a huge feat against South Africa’s world-class bowlers.

England’s Amazing Chase against South Africa in 2016

In the 2016 T20 World Cup, England also achieved a gargantuan chase batting second against South Africa at the Wankhede Stadium.

Sent in to bat first, aggressive knocks from Hashim Amla and JP Duminy propelled South Africa to 229/4 in their 20 overs. It seemed enough on a spin-friendly Wankhede pitch.

However, sensational batting from Jason Roy (43 off 16) and Joe Root (83 off 44) got England’s chase off to an electric start. Jos Buttler (34 off 10) provided the final fillip as England won by 7 wickets with 2 balls remaining.

New Zealand Scale 215 vs Australia in 2021

New Zealand extracted sweet revenge for their 2018 loss by defeating Australia in another T20I run fest at Christchurch in 2021 that saw a mammoth chase.

Riding on a whirlwind 97 off just 55 balls from skipper Aaron Finch, Australia posted a huge 208/4 after being put into bat first. In response, New Zealand got off to a quick start.

Opener Devon Conway smashed an unbeaten 99 off just 59 deliveries to take the chase deep. With support from Guptill and Glenn Phillips, New Zealand recorded a famous win in the penultimate over, chasing down 215 successfully.

Ireland’s Chase Against Oman in 2019

At the Al Amerat Cricket Stadium during the 2019 T20 World Cup Qualifiers, Ireland successfully managed to scale a target over 200 set by co-hosts Oman.

Riding on a belligerent century by opener Jatinder Singh, Oman powered their way to 204/4 batting first. Ireland had a challenging task, but Paul Stirling led the chase with a sensational hundred.

Lorcan Tucker and Kevin O’Brien provided able support as Ireland chased down the big total with an over to spare, losing just 2 wickets. This was a significant chase against a spirited Oman side.

Afghanistan Chase Down 200 vs Zimbabwe in 2016

Afghanistan’s rise as a major T20I force began with them overhauling a target in excess of 200 against Zimbabwe at Sharjah in 2016.

After being put into bat by Afghanistan, Zimbabwe posted 199/7 thanks to solid half-centuries from their batsmen. In response, Afghanistan’s opener Usman Ghani smashed 109 off just 60 balls to get the chase off to a flier.

Mohammad Nabi scored an invaluable 45* as Afghanistan chased down the target in the 19th over with 8 wickets in hand. This gave Afghanistan belief that they could chase any total.

India Scale 212 vs South Africa in 2022

At one of T20I cricket’s most high-scoring venues, India brushed aside a 211-run target set by South Africa at Guwahati in 2022 to complete their highest successful T20I run chase ever.

Riding on David Miller’s century, South Africa posted 211/4 after being put into bat first. On a flat pitch, KL Rahul (57) and Suryakumar Yadav (61) got India’s chase off to a brisk start.

Virat Kohli then notched up a fine fifty as India romped home in the 19th over with 8 wickets in hand. Dominating a strong South African bowling lineup was incredibly impressive.

England Chase 216 vs New Zealand in 2019

England holds the record for the highest T20I run chase on home soil after they gunned down 217 against New Zealand during their 2019 tour.

Led by Colin Munro’s quickfire 59, New Zealand posted an imposing 216/7 after electing to bat first at Nelson. However, the chase seemed like a breeze for England’s destructive batting unit.

Several batsmen like Bairstow, Ali and Buttler made breezy 20s and 30s before Eoin Morgan finished things off with a whirlwind 17-ball 42*. England got home with 2 overs to spare in an exhibition of powerhitting.

Tactics for Successful Big Chases in T20Is

Getting off to a fast start to keep up with the required rate
Having anchor batsmen to bat through the innings
Big hitting abilities in the middle and lower order
Not letting the required rate get too high
Taking risks and playing aggressively
Retaining wickets in hand for the finishing overs

Fitness Levels and Mindset Needed for T20I Chases

High fitness to run quick singles and convert twos
Mental tenacity to handle the pressure of big chases
Belief that any target can be overhauled
Relentless positive intent and fearless approach
Remain calm and assess situations smartly

Home Ground Advantage in Massive Chases

Familiarity with pitch and conditions
Backing from raucous home crowds
Local weather, dew factors aiding batting
Confidence in chasing down intimidating targets

Frequently Asked Questions

Which team holds the record for the highest successful run chase in T20I history?

Australia holds the world record for the highest successful run chase in T20I cricket – 245/5 against New Zealand in 2018.

Who scored a century for New Zealand when they posted 243/6 against Australia in 2018?

Martin Guptill smashed a whirlwind century, scoring 105 runs off just 54 balls for New Zealand.

Which West Indies batsman scored a century in their chase of 229 against South Africa in 2016?

Chris Gayle scored a typical attacking hundred – 100 not out off just 48 balls for the West Indies.

Who was England’s top run scorer in their chase of 230 against South Africa in 2016?

Joe Root top scored for England with a superb 83 runs off just 44 deliveries.

Which New Zealand batsman made 99* in their chase of 215 against Australia in 2021?

Devon Conway finished unbeaten on 99 off 59 balls, almost taking New Zealand single-handedly to victory.

Conclusion

These unbelievable chases are a testament to how T20 cricket has evolved into a batsmen’s paradise. With smaller boundaries and more power hitters, totals over 200 are increasingly chaseable in T20Is.

Teams like England, West Indies and Australia have repeatedly shown that no target is out of reach on their day if they get some momentum going. Furthermore, with faster scoring rates and fearless hitting, we can hope to see the 200+ barriers breached more frequently in T20I chases in the coming years.