Sri Lanka holds the record for the highest team score in Men’s T20 World Cup history, scoring 260/6 against Kenya in 2007. The team produced an outstanding batting performance in Johannesburg, setting a record that has remained a benchmark in the tournament.
India has come close to this mark with several high scoring innings, including its 256/4 against Zimbabwe in 2026. The following guide covers the highest team scores in T20 World Cup history, the performances behind these totals, India’s highest score and other important tournament records.
Highest Team Score in T20 World Cup: Top 10 Records
The table below compares the ten highest team totals in Men’s T20 World Cup history, using the scores and rankings provided.
| Rank | Team | Score | Opposition | Year |
| 1 | Sri Lanka | 260/6 | Kenya | 2007 |
| 2 | India | 256/4 | Zimbabwe | 2026 |
| 3 | India | 255/5 | New Zealand | 2026 |
| 4 | West Indies | 254/6 | Zimbabwe | 2026 |
| 5 | India | 253/7 | England | 2026 |
| 6 | England | 246/7 | India | 2026 |
| 7 | Ireland | 235/5 | Oman | 2026 |
| 8 | England | 230/8 | South Africa | 2016 |
| 9 | South Africa | 229/4 | England | 2016 |
| 10 | Sri Lanka | 225/5 | Oman | 2026 |
Note: These rankings follow the supplied data. Match details and scorecards should be checked against official tournament records before publication.
A Look at the Highest Team Scores in T20 World Cup
The following teams have recorded the highest innings totals in T20 World Cup history. Here is a closer look at each performance, including the match details and key contributions that helped these teams achieve remarkable scores.
1. Sri Lanka: 260/6 Against Kenya in 2007
Source: Cricinfo
Sri Lanka holds the record for the highest team score in T20 World Cup history. The team scored 260/6 against Kenya on 14 September 2007 at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Sanath Jayasuriya scored 88 runs from 44 balls, while Mahela Jayawardene added 65 from 27 deliveries. Jehan Mubarak provided a powerful finish with an unbeaten 46 from just 13 balls. Kenya was dismissed for 88, giving Sri Lanka a massive 172 run victory.
2. India: 256/4 Against Zimbabwe in 2026
Source: The Indian Express
India recorded its highest team score in T20 World Cup history by scoring 256/4 against Zimbabwe on 26 February 2026 in Chennai. This innings placed India second on the all time list of highest tournament totals.
The Indian batting lineup maintained an aggressive scoring rate throughout the innings. The team finished only four runs short of Sri Lanka’s record, demonstrating how modern T20 batting continues to challenge established records.
3. India: 255/5 Against New Zealand in 2026
Source: Adda 247
India scored 255/5 against New Zealand in the 2026 T20 World Cup final in Ahmedabad. The innings became the highest team total in a Men’s T20 World Cup final and the third highest overall in the tournament.
Sanju Samson scored 89 runs, while Ishan Kishan contributed 54. India went on to defeat New Zealand by 96 runs and claim its third T20 World Cup title. The performance also made India the first team to win consecutive editions of the men’s tournament.
4. West Indies: 254/6 Against Zimbabwe in 2026
Source: Outlook India
The West Indies scored 254/6 against Zimbabwe on 23 February 2026 at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The innings became one of the highest totals in the tournament’s history.
The West Indies are known for their powerful batting and ability to score boundaries quickly. This performance placed the team fourth on the all time list and reinforced its reputation as one of the most dangerous batting sides in T20 cricket.
5. India: 253/7 Against England in 2026
Source: Cricinfo
India scored 253/7 against England in the 2026 semifinal at Wankhede Stadium on 5 March. The total gave India a strong position in a match that produced one of the highest combined scores in T20 World Cup history.
England responded with 246/7 but fell seven runs short. The combined total of 499 runs made the semifinal a memorable high scoring contest. India advanced to the final and eventually won the tournament.
6. England: 246/7 Against India in 2026
Source: BBC
England scored 246/7 while chasing India’s 253/7 in the 2026 semifinal. The team mounted a strong chase but could not reach the target before the end of its innings.
England’s total ranks among the highest scores recorded by a losing team in Men’s T20 World Cup history. The match showed how a substantial batting performance can still fall short when the opposition posts an exceptional total.
7. Ireland: 235/5 Against Oman in 2026
Source: Cricinfo
Ireland recorded 235/5 against Oman during the 2026 T20 World Cup in Colombo. This innings became one of Ireland’s highest totals in the tournament.
Ireland’s performance demonstrated its ability to compete with aggressive batting against international opposition. A total of 235 runs also placed considerable pressure on Oman’s batting lineup and added another major score to the tournament record books.
8. England: 230/8 Against South Africa in 2016
Source: The Indian Express
England scored 230/8 against South Africa on 18 March 2016 at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. South Africa had scored 229/4, leaving England with a challenging target of 230 runs.
England completed the chase in 19.4 overs and won by two wickets. The match remains one of the most exciting high scoring games in T20 World Cup history because both teams produced totals above 225 runs.
9. South Africa: 229/4 Against England in 2016
Source: India.com
South Africa scored 229/4 against England in the same high scoring match in Mumbai in 2016. The team built an impressive total through aggressive batting and strong partnerships.
Despite South Africa’s performance, England chased the target successfully. The result demonstrated the importance of maintaining a high scoring rate throughout a T20 innings, particularly when the opposition has enough batting depth to pursue a large target.
10. Sri Lanka: 225/5 Against Oman in 2026
Source: Cricinfo
Sri Lanka scored 225/5 against Oman during the 2026 tournament. This innings placed the team among the ten highest scoring sides in Men’s T20 World Cup history.
Sri Lanka already held the overall tournament record with its 260/6 against Kenya in 2007. Its 2026 total added another strong batting performance to the country’s World Cup record.
Who Has the Highest Team Score in T20 World Cup?
Sri Lanka has the highest team score in Men’s T20 World Cup history, with 260/6 against Kenya in 2007. The match took place at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, where Sri Lanka scored at an exceptional rate of 13 runs per over.
Sanath Jayasuriya led the innings with 88 runs, and Mahela Jayawardene scored 65. Jehan Mubarak then accelerated the scoring with an unbeaten 46 from 13 balls. Sri Lanka won by 172 runs, establishing a record that remained unbeaten through the 2026 tournament.
What Is India’s Highest Team Score in T20 World Cup?
India’s highest team score in the Men’s T20 World Cup is 256/4 against Zimbabwe in Chennai on 26 February 2026. This performance moved India to second place on the all time list.
India also scored 255/5 against New Zealand in the 2026 final and 253/7 against England in the semifinal. These performances made India the first team to record three totals above 250 in a single Men’s T20 World Cup edition.
Highest Team Score in T20 World Cup vs Highest T20I Score
The highest team score in a T20 World Cup is not the same as the highest total in all men’s T20 international cricket. T20 World Cup records cover matches in the main ICC tournament, while T20I records include international matches played across other competitions.
| Record | Team | Score | Opposition |
| Highest T20 World Cup total | Sri Lanka | 260/6 | Kenya |
| Highest India T20 World Cup total | India | 256/4 | Zimbabwe |
| Highest Men’s T20I total | Zimbabwe | 344/4 | Gambia |
Zimbabwe scored 344/4 against Gambia in October 2024 during a T20 international qualifying event. Although it is the men’s T20I record, it does not count as the highest score in the main T20 World Cup.
Conclusion
Sri Lanka holds the record for the highest team score in Men’s T20 World Cup history, with 260/6 against Kenya in 2007. India follows with 256/4 against Zimbabwe and 255/5 against New Zealand in 2026.
These performances demonstrate how aggressive batting, strong partnerships and effective finishing can produce exceptional totals. Sri Lanka’s record remains the benchmark, while India’s recent performances show how close teams have come to surpassing it.
FAQs
Sri Lanka holds the record with 260/6 against Kenya in the 2007 tournament in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Sri Lanka scored 260/6 against Kenya on 14 September 2007. Sanath Jayasuriya was the leading scorer with 88 runs from 44 balls.
India’s highest total is 256/4 against Zimbabwe in Chennai during the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup.
India scored 256/4 against Zimbabwe, the highest total of the 2026 tournament and the second highest in the competition’s overall history.
Zimbabwe holds the men’s T20I record with 344/4 against Gambia in October 2024. This score was recorded in a qualifying event rather than the main T20 World Cup.
Related reading
- Which country has won the most Cricket World Cups — the honours list across all three World Cup formats.
- Highest ODI score by a batsman — the individual equivalent of these totals.
- Most international runs for India — the batters who built India’s run tally.