Four smallest victories for India by runs in T20Is
Winning a match by a smaller margin of runs is always exciting and entertaining for cricketing fans. Especially in the most demanding and enthralling format, the T20 format, these close encounters become more special. The players have to keep their nerve to hold on to a close finish. In T20 internationals. Team India has managed to get over the line in a few tight games over the years.
Let’s take a look at the 4 smallest victories for team India (by a margin of runs) in T20 internationals:
4.vs Ireland (4 runs)
With most of the senior players missing the game, India got over the line by a margin of just four runs in the second and the final T20I match of the series against Ireland in Ireland which took place recently. India batted first and posted a massive total of 225/7, thanks to Deepak Hooda’s century. The home side threatened the Men in Blue for the most part of the game but got restricted on 221/5 at the end.
3.vs Zimbabwe (3 runs)
India batted first and managed to post 138/6 against Zimbabwe in Zimbabwe in the year 2016. Kedar Jadhav struck a half-century as he took his side to a score of above 130. Donald Tiripano was the pick of the bowlers for the hosts for his spell of 3/20 in four overs. Barinder Sran and Dhawal Kulkarni took two wickets each as Zimbabwe managed 135/6, falling short by just three runs.
2.vs Bangladesh (1 run)
This has to be one of the most entertaining and thrilling matches in India’s T20I history. Top-order batters all got starts but couldn’t convert them into big scores as the Men in Blue posted only 146/7 against Bangladesh in the T20 World Cup 2016 game in Bangalore. R Ashwin gave away just 2/20 in his four-over spell with last-over heroics from Hardik Pandya restricting the Bangla Tigers to 145/9, falling agonizingly short of the target.
1.vs South Africa (1 run)
Suresh Raina’s 45 and MS Dhoni’s quickfire 13-ball 23 took India to a total of 152/6 against South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2012 match in Colombo. In reply, Faf du Plessis smashed 65 off just 38 with six fours and two maximums but it wasn’t enough as Zaheer Khan and L Balaji took three wickets each to deny the Proteas the victory as India got over the line in a thriller.
