Two times India lost while defending 200+ totals in T20I in 2022 at Home

T20 cricket is full of surprises. You never know what can happen till the very last moment. However, the team that knows how to hold the nerves often crosses the line. We have seen many a time in a T20I game that if a team scores 200+ runs, then they are in a good position. But you never know in this format.

Because even 200+ totals are not secured nowadays. India, the No. 1 ranked T20I team, has also faced the same problem in the last few series. They are not able to defend big totals in T20Is. Speaking of their record in 2022, India have gone past the 200-run mark four times in T20I during their first innings and they have a bad record of defending the big totals this year. They have lost two matches while defending 200+ totals, and the two wins they got were against Ireland and Afghanistan.

2. South Africa (212/3) in June 2022 in Delhi

The first loss for India defending the 200+ total of 2022 came against South Africa in the series after the IPL 2022. It was the first T20 of the five-match series in Delhi. In the absence of Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant made his captaincy debut in the match. Batting first, India made 211/4 in their first innings. Ishan Kishan was the top-scorer and he made 76 off 48 balls. Pant (29 off 16) and Hardik Pandya (31* off 12) also played well.

In response, South Africa also started well, but they lost their three wickets for 81 runs in 8.4 overs. But then came an incredible fourth wicket partnership between David Miller and Rassie van der Dussen, which helped South Africa chase down a huge target. Both batters made an unbeaten 131* runs in just 63 balls. Miller was not out on 64* off 31, while Rassie made 75* off 46 balls. South Africa registered their highest successful T20I chase against India.

1. Australia (211/6) in September 2022 in Mohali

The latest record chase against India came in the first T20I of a three-match series between India and Australia on September 20 in Mohali. India made a huge total of 208/6 in their first innings. KL Rahul (55) and Suryakumar Yadav (46) started well for the Men in Blue. But the innings from Hardik Pandya (71* off 30) helped India to reach 208.

But they couldn't defend this total either. Australia chased down the target in 19.2 overs and made 211/6 to register their highest successful run-chase against India in T20 internationals. Chris Green (61 off 30) and Mathew Wade (45* off 21) were the stars with the bat. Hence, India needs to rectify this issue before the T20 World Cup or else it will put pressure on them.