#StatAttack: Decoding India's performance in T20Is
India suffered a humiliating defeat by eight wickets against visitors Windies in the second T20I in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday. The match followed a typical script, India lost the toss, were put to bat first and couldn't defend the target. Over the years, we have noticed India's inability to win in T20Is while batting first. And here, we dive into stats to present this vulnerability.
Kohli's India like to chase a target rathe than defending
Considering India's performance while defending, they have batted first in 63 matches, where they have lost 26 and won 35. As for their performance while chasing, India have done so in 62 matches, where they have won 42 matches, the most by any team.
India scored their highest T20I total batting first
Interestingly, India scored their highest total in the format batting first, as in 2017 against Sri Lanka, they posted a mammoth total of 260, courtesy Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul's splendid knocks of 118 and 89, respectively. India won the match by 88 runs, while they also scored 200-plus on six separate occasions, batting first.
India have registered their lowest T20I total batting first
As for India's lowest T20I total, it has also come batting first. It was in February 2008 when against Australia, India were bundled out for 74 in Melbourne. The hosts easily won the match by nine wickets, with 52 balls to spare.
India have been bowled out five times, batting first
In another interesting observation, India have been bowled out on most occasions while batting first (five times). On the other hand, while chasing the total, India have been bundled out only in three matches.
Rohit Sharma prefers batting first, Virat Kohli is chase master
Among the batsmen, Rohit Sharma has enjoyed the most while batting first, scoring 1,448 runs in 48 innings at an average of 35.31, followed by skipper Virat Kohli, who has scored 1,088 in 38. However, when it comes to chase, Kohli is the king, having scored 1,475 runs in 31 innings at an average of 86.76, followed by Rohit (1,114 in 47).
Yuzvendra Chahal claims most while defending
When it comes to bowling, spinner Yuzvendra Chahal brings out his best while defending, as he has claimed the most wickets, 33 in 21 matches, while Ravichandran Ashwin is next to him, with 27 in 22. However, when it comes to bowling first, the latter has made the most impact, claiming 25 wickets in 24 matches, while Jasprit Bumrah follows him.
