Astonishing fireworks lit up Wankhede as West Indies scripted a new chapter in T20 World Cup annals, blasting 254/6 in their Super-8 showdown with Sri Lanka on Monday. Topping their own 218/5 vs Afghanistan (2024), it’s now the Caribbean giants’ ultimate tournament score and the format’s second-best ever.
Sri Lanka’s 2007 260/6 vs Kenya remains numero uno. West Indies’ 200+ hauls: four now, including South Africa (205/6), Australia (205/4).
From 54/2, Hetmyer (85 off 34: 7×6, 7×4) and Powell (59 off 35: 4×6, 4×4) forged a 122-run blitz in 52 balls to 176. Rutherford (31/13, 5 boundaries), Shepherd (21) followed suit. Sri Lanka’s riposte: Ngarewa 2, Muzarabani 2, Evans 1, Cremer 1.
Shai Hope marshalled King, Hetmyer, Powell, Rutherford, Holder, Shepherd, Forde, Hosein, Motie, Joseph. Raza-led foes: Bennett, Marumani (wk), Burl, Musekiva, Munyonga, Myers, Evans, Cremer, Ngarewa, Muzarabani.
This Herculean effort spotlights West Indies’ batting renaissance, promising more spectacle in the 2026 campaign.