In the SMAT 2024 match between Baroda and Sikkim, Baroda created history with a record-breaking total of 349 runs in 20 overs. The highlight of this incredible innings was Bhanu Pania, who smashed 134 off just 51 balls, including 15 sixes. His stunning knock featured a half-century off 20 balls and a century off 42 balls, showcasing his explosive batting skills.
Pania, a 28-year-old right-handed middle-order batter from Jodhpur, Rajasthan, made his List A and T20 debut for Baroda in 2021. The knock against Sikkim marked his first T20 century, with his previous highest score being 55. Before this game, his T20 batting average stood at 25.61 from 35 matches, with a strike rate of 135.68. In List A cricket, he had an average of 21, but his recent form in SMAT 2024, with valuable contributions against Karnataka, Saurashtra, and Tamil Nadu, had already hinted at his growing confidence.
Pania’s blistering knock was supported by quickfire fifties from Shivalik Sharma and Vishnu Solanki, both of whom also launched into the Sikkim attack. Together, they powered Baroda to the highest-ever T20 total, surpassing the previous record.
In response, Sikkim could only manage 86 runs, and Baroda wrapped up a dominant 263-run victory, further solidifying their dominance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024. The team’s thrilling performance set a new benchmark for T20 cricket, with Pania’s outstanding knock stealing the limelight.
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