India has been a strong force in T20 cricket, featuring a powerful group of bowlers and a history of tough matches. Yet, a few batsmen have consistently stepped up, achieving impressive scores against the Indian team. These players have made their mark in the record books by scoring the most 50-plus scores in T20 Internationals against India.
1. Jos Butler – 5
Joseph Charles Buttler MBE, born on September 8, 1990, is an English cricketer known for his leadership of the England cricket team in limited-overs formats, as well as his contributions to the Test team. He was part of the England squad that triumphed in the 2019 Cricket World Cup and later captained the team to victory in the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup.
Butler began his T20I career in 2011, made his ODI debut in 2012, and played his first Test match in 2014. He served as vice-captain and played a crucial role in the 2019 Cricket World Cup, notably making the run out in the Super Over that clinched the final. Throughout his T20I career, Butler has amassed 3,502 runs, with a top score of 101*, the highest for a wicketkeeper, and he holds the record for the most T20I runs against India.
Over the years, Butler has demonstrated exceptional skill on Indian pitches. In 17 T20Is played in India, he has scored 426 runs at an average of 42.60, including three half-centuries, establishing himself as one of the leading overseas batsmen in T20Is.
As of January 2025, Jos Buttler has accumulated 566 runs against India in T20Is, averaging 35.37. These statistics highlight his consistent performance against a formidable bowling attack. He adeptly handles both pace and spin, adjusting well to varying conditions. A notable aspect of his record is his ability to score prolifically against India, having achieved five half-centuries in T20Is against them, tying with Nicholas Pooran for the most 50-plus scores in this format. His innings typically begin with an explosive start and conclude with a composed finish, making him a formidable challenge for bowlers in the closing overs.
2. Nicholas Pooran – 5
Nicholas Pooran is a cricketer from Trinidad who represents the West Indies in limited-overs formats and occasionally serves as captain.
He began his Twenty20 International career for the West Indies against Pakistan on September 23, 2016. In November 2018, he was named to the West Indies squad for their tour of India. During the third T20I match, he scored 53 runs off just 25 balls, achieving his first half-century in T20I cricket. Nicholas Pooran registered his name in history books to record the most runs in a calendar year in T20 cricket with 2,331 runs in 76 T20s.
As the wicketkeeper-batsman for the West Indies, Nicholas Pooran is recognized for his powerful hitting and adeptness at facing spinners. He has often posed challenges for India in various matches. His aggressive approach at the crease and ability to hit big shots make him a vital player. Pooran can easily adjust his batting pace, which has consistently applied pressure on India’s bowlers, particularly in high-stakes games.
Also Read: Top 5 Indian Bowlers with the Most Five-Wicket Haul in Test Cricket
3. Quinton de Kock – 4
Quinton de Kock is a prominent South African cricketer who has served as the captain of the national team across all formats. He currently plays for South Africa in T20 International matches.
De Kock began his international career in the opening game of South Africa’s home T20 series against New Zealand during the 2012/13 season. As a left-handed wicketkeeper-batter, he has taken part in many T20 games and has had a successful run, earning the player-of-the-series title three times. In T20 matches for South Africa, he has accumulated 2584 runs at an average of 31.51, with a highest score of 100. Additionally, he has made 84 catches and 18 stumpings.
Regarded as one of the most dependable and stylish openers in modern cricket, he has scored 50-plus scores four times against India in T20Is. His proficiency in facing both fast and spin bowling has made him a key player for the Proteas. De Kock’s knack for accelerating the scoring during the powerplay while also providing stability to the innings has often been vital for South Africa’s success against India in T20 matches.
4. Glenn Maxwell – 4
Glenn James Maxwell is a professional cricketer from Australia who has represented the national team in all formats since 2012, with a primary focus on One Day Internationals and Twenty20 Internationals. As an all-rounder, he is well-known for his distinctive batting style and right-arm off-spin bowling.
Maxwell began his professional career in 2010 and is celebrated for his thrilling shot-making and creativity in shorter formats of the game. In October 2023, he made headlines by setting a record for the fastest century in a Cricket World Cup, scoring 100 runs in just 40 balls against the Netherlands.
He has had a remarkable T20 career, amassing a significant number of runs and several centuries. Maxwell has played for various T20 franchises around the world, including in the IPL and T20 Blast. With five T20 international centuries, he is tied with India’s captain, Rohit Sharma. During the 2023 World Cup, he surpassed his record by scoring a century in just 40 balls, the quickest in the tournament’s history.
In 106 T20 innings, Maxwell has accumulated 2,664 runs at an average of 29.93. He is particularly known for his unorthodox batting style and has recorded four 50-plus scores against India. His knack for innovation and ability to hit boundaries in surprising ways makes him a formidable player, especially during the middle overs. His talent for delivering match-winning performances against strong teams like India has solidified his reputation as one of the most dangerous batsmen in T20 cricket.
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5. Colin Munro – 4
Colin Munro is a former international cricketer from New Zealand, originally hailing from South Africa. He represented the New Zealand cricket team and made his international debut in 2012. Munro’s presence in the limited-overs teams varied until he had a standout performance in the 2015-16 Georgie Pie Super Smash, where he scored 366 runs at an impressive strike rate of 175, finishing as the tournament’s leading run-scorer.
In a T20I match at Eden Park, he made headlines by achieving the second-fastest T20I fifty, reaching the milestone in just 14 balls with seven sixes, trailing only Yuvraj Singh’s record of a 12-ball fifty. This performance also set a new record for the fastest fifty by a New Zealander, breaking Martin Guptill’s recent record of 50 runs in 19 balls, which had been established just 20 minutes earlier. For this remarkable display, he was named man of the match.
As a dynamic opener in T20 cricket, Munro has scored over 50 runs on four occasions against India. His aggressive batting style and knack for capitalizing on powerplay overs have made him a key player for New Zealand in T20Is. His fearless approach often places significant pressure on opposing bowlers, particularly in matches against India.
Importance of These Achievements
Getting several 50+ scores against a team like India, known for its varied bowling styles, is quite an achievement. These batsmen have not only shown their talent but have also played a key role in their teams’ successes. Their skill in adjusting to different playing conditions and facing India’s bowlers demonstrates their remarkable ability and mental strength.
As T20 cricket keeps changing, these players inspire future stars. Their performances against India are significant highlights in their careers, showcasing their talent and resolve in challenging situations.