On Thursday, Baroda made T20 cricket history by scoring the highest team total in history against Sikkim in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Baroda ended up reaching a magnificent 349 for the cost of five wickets, breaking Zimbabwe’s previous record (344/4 versus Gambia in October 2024). This was also the first time a team scored more than 300 in the SMAT, with Punjab previously scoring 275/6. Baroda scored this massive total despite the absence of Hardik Pandya and captain Krunal Pandya’s lack of batting opportunities.
Batting first, Baroda got off to a flying start with Shashwat Rawat and Abhimanyu Singh putting on a 92-run stand for the first wicket. While Shashwat hit 43 off only 16 balls, Abhimanyu reached his half-century with 53 off 17 deliveries.
It proved to be a great foundation for Bhanu Pania, who hit an unbroken 134 from 51 deliveries, including 5 fours and 15 sixes. It was a demonstration of pure power as he finished his innings with a strike rate of 262.75 as Sikkim bowlers were powerless against the onslaught.
That was not the end of it, as Shivalik Sharma hit 55 off 17 balls and Vishnu Solanki got 50 off only 16 balls, bringing Baroda’s total to 349 and setting a new record in the sport’s shortest format.
Earlier, India’s T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav hammered 70 off 46 balls in his debut appearance in the 2024 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, while Shivam Dube ended his comeback from a three-month injury layoff with a spectacular 37-ball-71 as Mumbai defeated Services by 39 runs. Surya and Dube’s 130-run fourth wicket stand helped Mumbai reach 192 for 4.
The duo combined for 11 sixes, with Dube getting the majority of them. Surya also smashed seven boundaries, while Dube scored a handful of fours. Surya’s shots were mostly on the inside, with one six over long-on, two towards deep midwicket, and one behind square.
Both hitters punished off-spinner Nitin Tanwar, who went for 54 in four overs. In response, Services were all out for 153 in 19.3 overs, with Shardul Thakur returning figures of 4/25. Shams Mulani, a left-arm spinner, also claimed three wickets. Dube received the Player of the Match award after also taking a wicket.