Team India continued their record-breaking run in T20 Internationals by scoring 271 for five against New Zealand in the fifth T20I at Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday. It is the fifth-highest total by any team against a Test-playing nation in the format.

Ishan Kishan’s brilliant 42-ball century powered India to the huge total in the fifth and final match of the series on January 31. While Sanju Samson fell for a single-digit score, India attacked the New Zealand bowlers from the start and went on to win the match by 133 runs.

The total of 271 is the third-highest score India has made in T20 Internationals. India’s highest T20I total remains 297 for six against Bangladesh in Hyderabad in 2024. India’s highest T20I score against a Test-playing nation is also 297 for six. The highest total ever against a Test-playing nation in T20Is is England’s 304 for two against South Africa in Manchester last year. 

Also read -Watch: Ishan Kishan's maiden T20I century celebration in IND vs NZ 5th T20I

Here are the top three highest totals by India in T20 Internationals at a glance:

1. 297/6 vs Bangladesh, Hyderabad (2024)

India posted their highest-ever T20I score in the 2024 IND vs BAN 3rd T20I, scoring 297 for six at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.

The Indian team went on to whitewash Bangladesh in the three-match T20I series with this record-breaking performance. Bangladesh chose to bowl first and got an early breakthrough as India lost opener Abhishek Sharma (4) in the third over.

After that, India took full control of the innings. Sanju Samson, who was struggling with form at the time, played brilliantly and scored 111 off 47 balls, while T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav added 75 off 35 balls. The pair added 173 runs in just 70 balls.

In reply, Bangladesh could manage only 164 for seven in their 20 overs and lost the match by 133 runs, their biggest T20I defeat against India. Ravi Bishnoi was the standout bowler for India, picking up 3 for 30 in four overs.

2. 283/1 vs South Africa, Johannesburg (2024)

The Men in Blues registered their second-highest T20I total after scoring 283 for one against South Africa in Johannesburg during the 2024 tour.

In that high-voltage match, India won the toss and chose to bat first. The decision by captain Suryakumar Yadav proved right as the Indian batters dominated the game. Sanju Samson scored 109 off 56 balls, Tilak Varma smashed 120 off 47 balls, and Abhishek Sharma added 36 off 18 balls.

In reply, South Africa’s chase never got going. Arshdeep Singh struck early and finished with 3 for 20. The Proteas were bowled out for 148 runs in 18.2 overs.

India won the match by 135 runs, which is their biggest win over South Africa in T20 Internationals. India’s biggest T20I win overall remains 168 runs, which came against New Zealand in Ahmedabad last year.

3. 271/5 vs New Zealand, Thiruvananthapuram (2026)

India created history again by scoring a massive 271 for five in the fifth and final T20I against New Zealand in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday, January 31. It is the fifth-highest total by any team against a Test-playing nation in T20 Internationals.

In the match, India won the toss and chose to bat first. India lost early wickets as Sanju Samson fell for a single-digit score and Abhishek Sharma was dismissed for 30 off 16 balls, which included four boundaries and two sixes. India were reduced to 48 for two.

After that, a brilliant 137-run partnership between Ishan Kishan and captain Suryakumar Yadav turned the game around. Kishan smashed 103 off 43 balls, hitting six fours and ten sixes, while Suryakumar scored 63 off 30 balls with four boundaries and six sixes. Later, Hardik Pandya played a quick cameo of 42 off 17 balls, with one four and four sixes, to take India to 271 for five in 20 overs.

For New Zealand, Lockie Ferguson was the most successful bowler with figures of 2 for 41. Jacob Duffy (1/53), Kyle Jamieson (1/59), and Mitchell Santner (1/60) went for plenty of runs. A total of 23 sixes were hit in the innings, which is the joint-most sixes conceded by a Test-playing nation in T20Is. South Africa had also conceded 23 sixes, and that too against India in 2024.