T20 World Cup: Top 5 Highest Team Totals In Tournament's History

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The eighth edition of the T20 World Cup is set to start on October 16th in Australia for the first time ever since its inception in 2007. Australia are also the defending champions as they won the T20 World Cup last year. 

Although T20 is a batter-dominated format, the bowlers are expected to get some edge on the bouncy and pacy pitches of Australia. Over the years, many teams have gone all guns blazing to score a lot of runs and cement their chances in the World Cup.

Here are the top 5 highest team totals in T20 World Cup history. 

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#5. South Africa (211/5 vs Scotland, 2009)

In a group match against Scotland in T20 World Cup 2009, AB de Villers played a tremendous knock of 79* runs in just 34 balls, smacking 5 fours & 6 sixes. Openers Jacques Kallis and Graeme Smith also contributed with 48 and 38 runs respectively, powering South Africa to 211/5 in 20 overs. In reply, Scotland were bowled out for 81 as they lost the match by 130 runs. 

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#4. India (218/4 vs England, 2007)

In a virtual eliminator for India in T20 World Cup 2007 Super 8 stage against England, Yuvraj Singh scripted history. The Southpaw smacked 58 runs off 16 balls, completing the fastest international fifty by any batter (12 balls). During this, Yuvi smashed Stuart Broad for 6 sixes in a single over to collect 36 runs off it. Earlier, openers Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag also scored 58 and 68 runs respectively as India posted 218/4 in 20 overs. In reply, England were halted to 200/6, losing the match by 18 runs. 

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#3. South Africa (229/4 vs England, 2016)

At Wankhede in a Super 10 group match, South Africa batters took on the English bowling while batting first. Openers Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock scored 58 and 52 runs respectively, while Jean-Paul Duminy and David Miller smashed unbeaten knocks of 54*(28) and 28*(12) to power South Africa to 229/4 in 20 overs. 

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#2. England (230/8 vs South Africa, 2018)

In the same match at Wankhede, the English batters stepped up even further as opener Jason Roy gave an explosive start with his 43 runs off just 16 balls, while Joe Root smashed 83 runs off 44 balls. England managed to chase down 230 runs with 2 balls remaining and win the match by 2 wickets.

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#1. Sri Lanka (260/6 vs Kenya, 2007)

In a group C match in T20 World Cup 2007, Sri Lanka batters blasted off Kenya's bowling without any mercy. Legendary opener Sanath Jayasuriya smacked 88 runs off 44 balls while captain Mahela Jayawardene smacked 65 runs off 27 balls. Jehan Mubarak also played a knock of 46 runs in 13 balls while batting at #7, powering Sri Lanka to 260/6 in 20 overs. In reply, Kenya were bowled out for 88 runs and lost the match by a mighty 172 runs.