Sanju Samson and Deepak Hooda set new record for highest partnership for India in T20I

Sanju Samson and Deepak Hooda’s 176-run stand for the second wicket against Ireland in the second T20 International in Dublin in June 2022 is the highest partnership for India in T20 cricket. 

The Indian pair took just 87 balls to score the record stand.

Interestingly enough, this was the first time that the duo featured as a pair in international cricket as they went on to break Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul’s record of a 165-run partnership they had set against Sri Lanka in December 2017.

While Samson ended his innings at 77 runs off 42 balls - his highest T20I score - Hooda went on to smash his maiden T20I ton, scoring a 57-ball 104. Hooda became only the fourth Indian to score a hundred in the shortest format after Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul.

While their 176-run stand is the highest partnership for India in the shortest format, overall it is the ninth-highest partnership in T20I cricket. Hazratullah Zazai and Usman Ghani’s massive 236-run partnership against Ireland in February 2019 is still the record to beat.

Meanwhile, riding on Hooda’s maiden ton and Samson’s highest T20I score, India posted 225/7 in 20 overs. India managed to pull off a win by our runs.

Of those 176 runs that were scored between the two, Samson scored 67 off 34 balls while Hooda scored 98 off just 53 deliveries. Hooda’s innings included an impressive nine fours and six sixes, the most by any Indian batter on the night.

Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul’s opening-wicket mayhem

Before Samson and Hooda, seasoned T20 cricketers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul owned the record for the highest partnership for India in T20I. Against Sri Lanka in the second T20I in 2017, the duo posted 165 runs in a mere 12.4 overs. Such was their dominance on the night that only one of Sri Lanka’s seven bowlers finished with an economy of less than 11.

Rohit Sharma, captaining the side in Virat Kohli’s absence, scored 118 off 43 balls while Rahul returned with 89 runs in 49 deliveries.

Rohit Sharma involved in four highest-wicket stands

Rohit Sharma’s T20 credentials need no introduction whatsoever. He has been so brilliant for India that he has been involved in four of the country’s top five partnerships in T20I cricket. Two of them have come with KL Rahul while the others have come with Shikhar Dhawan.

Highest partnership for India in T20I

Featured photo: AFP / Paul Faith