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.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has revealed the pitch rating for the first Test of the two-match Test series in November 2025, which Eden Gardens in Kolkata hosted. It massively helped the spinners, as the match ended inside three days. 

India vs South Africa 2025 Kolkata Test: India lost by 30 runs

The latest Kolkata Test between India and South Africa didn’t experience a 200+ total in four innings. After South Africa chose to bat first, they scored 159 all out, while the hosts India replied with 189 all out and earned a 30-run lead.

In their second innings, South Africa scored 153 runs, where the visiting captain Temba Bavuma scored a heroic half-century (55*), the only 40+ score in that Test match. Chasing down the 124-run target in the fourth innings, India were bundled out for only 93 runs, as South Africa won that Test match by 30 runs. 

It was South Africa’s first Test win in India after 15 years, where the 36-year-old off-spinner Simon Harmer won the Player of the Match award for taking eight wickets in the game, four wickets in each innings (4/30 & 4/21). Ultimately, South Africa won the two-match Test series by 2-0, which was their second Test series in India, first in 25 years. 

See Also: Ashes 2025-26 MCG Boxing Day Test pitch controversy: ICC rating revealed

Eden Gardens in Kolkata received "satisfactory" pitch rating

The ICC match referee Richie Richardson has brought the "satisfactory" rating for the Kolkata Test pitch. It means that the Test pitch has passed ICC’s pitch expectation level, as the venue received the second level of the ICC’s four-tier pitch rating system.

Despite several criticisms, including those of the former Indian captain and the present Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) President Sourav Ganguly, the Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir was happy with the pitch condition, as he clarified that the team wanted a similar kind of pitch. 

Fans were left smiling after an amusing moment involving Shivam Dube in the 5th and final T20 match between India and South Africa in Ahmedabad. As Dube was ready to walk out to bat, a young kid asked him for an autograph. In a video shared on X, Dube was seen sitting in the dugout with his pads on and politely gesturing to the kid that he would give the autograph later.

The timing of the request made fans laugh, as Dube was fully focused on the game and about to go in to bat. Still, the moment showed the growing popularity of the all-rounder among young fans. Dube kept his calm and acknowledged the request without losing his match focus.

On the field, Dube had a very short but useful contribution. He came in to bat in the final over of India’s innings and faced only three balls. However, he scored 10 quick runs, including a four and a six, helping India post a big total of 231/5.

Match Result and Dube’s World Cup Chance

South Africa started the chase well with a 69-run opening partnership between Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendricks. De Kock then added another 51 runs with Dewald Brevis, but his dismissal for 65 changed the match. After that, the remaining South African batters failed to keep up the scoring, and India won the match by 30 runs to take the series 3-1.

Watch the video here 

𝗖𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗰 𝗦𝗰𝗲𝗻𝗲: 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀 😡

In the India vs South Africa match, Shivam Dube was fully padded up, sitting there, ready to walk in to bat.
And then a small kid starts 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗹𝘆, “𝘚𝘩𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘮 𝘋𝘶𝘣𝘦…… pic.twitter.com/crQJUT8NJ5

— Jara (@JARA_Memer) December 19, 2025

See Also: BCCI explains why Axar Patel was named vice-captain for T20 World Cup 2026 after Shubman Gill snub

Hardik Pandya was named as Player of the Match for his all-round performance, where he scored 63 runs and took one wicket. Currently, Dube is also a very strong contender for a spot in the ICC T20 World Cup Squad of 2026. He is a 32-year-old player who has impressed with his power-hitting skills as well as his seam bowling.

Dube was also part of India’s T20 World Cup-winning squad in 2024 and played an important role in the final, scoring 27 off 16 balls as India beat South Africa by six runs. India will next play a five-match T20I series against New Zealand starting January 21. The Men in Blue will begin their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign on February 7 against the USA at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

India Squad for T20 World Cup 2026

Suryakumar Yadav (Captain), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (Vice-Captain), Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar.

A fresh injury of vice-captain Shubman Gill opened the gates for Sanju Samson to be a part of India's playing XI in Ahmedabad for the 5th of the 5-match T20I series against South Africa. After the match, a gesture of Samson melted the hearts of cricket fans. 

Sanju Samson was with the squad from the beginning of the T20I series, but mainly as a benchwarmer. Then, a day before the fifth match, reports emerged about Gill's injury, which allowed Samson to play the remaining match, and that too as an opener. During the Asia Cup 2025, Samson got to play matches as a middle-order batter, which was his unusual position. But still, the keeper-batter is always up to prove his cog in the setup. 

With Sanju and Abhishek Sharma on the top of the batting order, Team India got a flying start in Ahmedabad. Sanju got 37 off 22, and India eventually won the match as they registered 231/5 in the first innings. Indian cricket fans thoroughly enjoyed the pristine form of the batter. 

Read More: Watch: Hardik Pandya personally checks and hugs injured cameraman whom he injured during IND vs SA 5th T20I

Watch the moment when Sanju Samson gifted his gloves to little fans 

Sanju Samson gifted his gloves to the 2 little kids in Ahmedabad.

The humbleness and kindness of Sanju make him so special 🫡❤️pic.twitter.com/8fVJgAHQD9

— Tejash (@Tejashyyyyy) December 20, 2025

After the match, when the keeper-batter was about to go inside the pavilion, he noticed two little fans calling his name from the front row of the gallery. Sanju changed his route and went straight towards the gallery to meet up with the young fans. Next, what happened could be a long-term memory for two boys.

Sanju came with his pads and gloves near the fence and gifted his gloves to the little boys. The heartwarming moment is now surfacing on social media platforms. After the conclusion of the multi-format series against South Africa, Team India will be gearing up for their next assignment, which will be against New Zealand. 

A target of 232 is always massive despite the fast-paced nature of Twenty20 cricket. For the 5th match of India vs. South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Team India went to bat first and registered 231 runs against only 5 wickets. The South Africa batters tried their level best in the second innings, but they could get 201 runs in their 20-over limit. Thus, India won the fifth and the final match of the contest by 30 runs and claimed the series by a 3-1 margin. 

Toss and first innings:

South Africa skipper Aiden Markram won the toss and decided to bowl first. Though, according to stats, teams batting first have better winning chances at this venue. 

Markram's decision took very little time to prove wrong, as Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson were in fine touch from the beginning. Samson was in the match in place of injured Shubman Gill. For the opening wicket, the hosts notched up 63 runs. Tilak Varma, who knew the ground very well, claimed 73 off 42, followed by Hardik Pandya's 63 off 25. Apart from the experienced pacer Lungi Ngidi, the remaining bowling attack of South Africa turned out very costly in this match. 

Read More: Watch: Sanju Samson's well-connected shot hit umpire's knee during IND vs SA 5th T20I

Second innings: 

South Africa started the run chase in a promising way with Quinton de Kock as an in-form opener. Dewald Brevis also joined him with his natural attacking batting style. But the middle order of the team collapsed easily against the Indian bowling attack. Varun Chakravarthy took 4 wickets, a brace for Jasprit Bumrah in the process. Captain Suryakumar Yadav utilized Bumrah during the mid-phase of the second innings, and it worked well for Team India. South Africa, after losing 8 scalps, got 201 runs, which was a very good total but not enough for winning today's match.

IND vs SA 5th T20I scorecard in brief:

India: 231/5

South Africa:201/8 (20)

While the fifth and final game of the India vs South Africa T20I series at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad was running on the wire in the high-scoring encounter, Varun Chakravarthy and Jasprit Bumrah strongly put the hosts in control. After Bumrah and Hardik Pandya dismissed two set Proteas batters Quinton de Kock and Dewald Brevis, Varun then took charge of the game by taking two back-to-back wickets, as the hosts then controlled the game completely. 

It was the 13th over when Varun Chakravarthy brought his magic with two wickets in consecutive deliveries. While Varun delivered his first over in the seventh over of the innings, he provided India's first breakthrough by dismissing opener Reeza Hendricks (13) and conceded only three runs. However, in his next over, the leggie conceded 23 runs, including two sixes and two fours. 

Watch: Tilak-Hardik smash 27 runs in George Linde's final over in IND vs SA 5th T20I

Varun Chakravarthy took two back-to-back wickets

Varun returned in the 13th over, where he conceded a four to Aiden Markram on the second delivery. However, on the next delivery, he dismissed Markram (6) through an lbw, as he had an unsuccessful paddle attempt. While Markram went for a review to challenge the on-field umpire's decision, he had no luck as the impact was umpire's call, and the out decision stayed.  

On the next ball, Varun bowled Donovan Ferreira with a beautiful delivery. That put India under control, as South Africa were struggling at 135/5 in the chase of 232 runs. 

THE X FACTOR INDIA - VARUN CHAKRAVARTHY...!!! 😍💪 pic.twitter.com/OQqYwMmgu1

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 19, 2025

Varun Chakravarthy took four wickets

George Linde defended the hat-trick ball, and Varun dismissed him in his next over, as the Indian leg-spinner had the bowling figures of 4-0-53-4. 

A painful moment for Rohan Pandit, one of the field umpires for the India vs. South Africa 5th T20I at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Pandit was instantly on the ground, lying on his back after getting hit by the ball. 

Team India was in full flow from the beginning of the match. Without the service of the vice-captain Shubman Gill, Team India scored 231 runs against only 5 wickets in the 20-over limit. Gill is sidelined because of a fresh injury. In place of him, Sanju Samson was named in the first eleven. He paired up with Abhishek Sharma for the opening position of the team. With Samson and Sharma on top, India got a flying start in the match. 

Sanju got 37 runs against 22 deliveries. His innings was decorated with a couple of 6s and four 4s. The boundary tally could be more if the umpire did not appear as an obstacle. 

Read More: Watch: Ishan Kishan dancing with Bhojpuri song after winning SMAT 2025 final with authority

Watch the moment when the ball hit the umpire hard

That one must have hurt. 🩹@IamSanjuSamson times this one sweetly and the ball rockets off the bowlers hand and umpire Rohan Pandit cops a nasty blow to his shin. 🫣😵‍💫#INDvSA 5th T20I | LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/adG06ykx8o pic.twitter.com/T4XdtqK9jA

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 19, 2025

Samson then was in full charge, trying to slam the ball hard. During an over of Donovan Ferreira in the first innings, the right-handed batter hit the ball hard and straight. The ball was travelling at a good pace. The bowler tried to stop the ball but was beaten by the pace. Umpire Rohan Pandit was also tricked by the pace of the ball as it hit his knee directly. 

Pandit was too late to react against the travelling ball. It hit the umpire's knee so hard that Rohan Pandit instantly went down on the ground and was visibly in pain. The physios reacted quickly on the occasion and rushed to the spot to provide the injured umpire some much-needed medical support. Physios of both teams were on the spot. After a while, the umpire went back on his feet, and the match went on as usual.

In the five-match T20I series finale at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, while the Indian batters dominated the South African bowlers, Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya slammed 27 runs in an over against the spinner George Linde, who was the best bowler in the match for the visitors before that over. 

While India are leading the series by 2-1, they were sent to bat first in the series decider. Indian openers Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson provided a powerful start for the hosts, who scored 67/1 in the powerplay.  

Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya dominated

While Sanju scored 37 off 22 balls, Abhishek scored 34 off 21 balls. Although the skipper Suryakumar Yadav (5) had another cheap score, Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya assured the hosts a big total in the Ahmedabad T20I with their stormy partnership. 

Tilak and Hardik's partnership hardly had the dot balls as they added 105 runs for the fourth wicket, where both slammed half-centuries strongly. 

George Linde, the left-arm spinner, was bowling beautifully before experiencing havoc in his last over of the innings. In his first three overs, Linde conceded only 19 runs and brilliantly bowled Sanju Samson for 37 runs. 

Watch: Sanju Samson's well-connected shot hit umpire's knee during IND vs SA 5th T20I

How Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya slammed 27 runs in George Linde's over

It was the 14th over of the innings, which was Linde's final over. Tilak started that over with a six over long-on. After Tilak took a single in the next over, it was time for Hardik, who slammed four, six, six, and four in the next four balls. 

Power hitting masterclass! 💎@TilakV9 and @hardikpandya7 bring out the fireworks in Ahmedabad! 🔥#INDvSA 5th T20I | LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/adG06ykx8o pic.twitter.com/hIMEEzx4EK

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 19, 2025

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A post shared by Team India (@indiancricketteam)

While Tilak scored 73 off 42 balls with 10 fours and one six, Hardik scored 63 off 25 balls with five fours and five sixes, as India scored a mammoth total of 231/5 in 20 overs. 

Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad is hosting the fifth and final game of the T20I series between the hosts India and the visitors South Africa on Friday night (December 19), which is also the last game for India's men's national cricket team in 2025. While Jasprit Bumrah has expectedly joined the playing XI replcing Harshit Rana, the T20I vice-captain Shubman Gill isn't in the playing XI. Here we know the reason for Gill's absence from the series-decider. 

See Also: Former Proteas all-rounder set for a new chapter with the Italy cricket team ahead of ICC World Cup 2026

Why is Shubman Gill not playing IND vs SA Ahmedabad T20I?

Before the original scheduled toss for the fourth T20I at Lucknow last Wednesday night (December 17), there was news on Shubman Gill, who missed that game due to a right foot injury, which he got during the net practice on the previous day.

Although the Indian T20I vice-captain Shubman Gill is improving, he is still unavailable for the Ahmedabad T20I. As he is recovering from injury, Gill is missing the Ahmedabad T20I, the series decider.

South African captain Aiden Markram won the toss in the last game of the series and chose to field first. Meanwhile, the Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav was considering batting first. The Indian captain confirmed three changes in the playing XI for the Ahmedabad T20I, as Sanju Samson, Jasprit Bumrah, and Washington Sundar have replaced Shubman Gill, Harshit Rana, and Kuldeep Yadav. 

In the meantime, the South African skipper confirmed that George Linde has replaced Anrich Nortje for the last game of the series. 

IND vs SA T20I series: India leading by 2-1 before last T20I

Hosts India are currently leading this series by 2-1, while the last game at Lucknow had no result due to no match for excessive fog. India won the first and third game of the series by 101 runs at Cuttack and seven wickets at Dharamsala, while South Africa won the second game of the series by 51 runs at New Chandigarh.

The Ahmedabad T20I is the must-win game for South Africa to save the series by ending the five-match series 2-2. Meanwhile, the hosts India can win this series by avoiding a defeat in this fixture. 

India and South Africa are all set for the 5th T20I of the 5-match series. It is another must-win match for Team India, as the scoreline of the series is currently 2-1 for them. If South Africa emerges as the winner of the match, then the series will end with 2-2.

The previous match, which was in Lucknow, got cancelled because of heavy fog. But here in Ahmedabad, the weather condition is looking good enough for hosting a cricket match. Team India made multiple changes for the match. Vice captain Shubman Gill is out of service for an injury. Apart from this, the team management has made two more changes in the lineup.

Toss update:

South Africa won the toss, and their skipper Aiden Markram chose to bowl first. As the temperature is on the lower side, dew could be a factor in this match too. It is sensible why Markram opted to bowl first. 

Read More: IND vs SA 5th T20I Ahmedabad weather update: Will fog affect on match?

The surface at the Narendra Modi Stadium is made of black soil, and there are some cracks on it. As the match progresses, spinners can play a vital role here.

Playing XIs:

India (Playing XI)—Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (in for Shubman Gill), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Washington Sundar (in for Kuldeep Yadav), Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah (in for Harshit Rana), and Varun Chakaravarthy. 

South Africa (Playing XI) - Quinton de Kock (WK), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (C), Dewald Brevis, David Miller (in for Tristan Stubbs), Donovan Ferreira, George Linde (in for Anrich Nortje), Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman.