From Kohli’s immortal ton to Rohit’s power play, India’s batting fireworks have lit up the Asia Cup in style
The 2025 Asia Cup is nearly here. From September
9 to 28, cricket’s continental festival will return to the UAE, featuring India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and underdog teams like Oman and Hong Kong, all ready to compete. For India, the stakes are doubled: it is their only multi-team event before the 2026 T20 World Cup, and the first major tournament under the captaincy of Suryakumar Yadav.
When it comes to India in the T20 Asia Cup, one thing fans can always rely on is: runs. Big ones. Here are India’s five highest totals in the tournament’s brief but intense T20 history — each one a memorable innings.
212/2 v Afghanistan, Dubai 2022 – Kohli's redemption
On a hot September evening in Dubai, Virat Kohli ended a 1,020-day wait. His 122 not out off 61 balls, peppered with sixes soaring into the night sky, propelled India to a massive 212 for 2. Partnering with KL Rahul (62), Kohli reminded the world why he is known as the “Chase Master.”
Credit: ESPN
Afghanistan never posed a threat, crumbling to 111, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar tearing through their line-up (5 for 4). It was India’s highest-ever T20 Asia Cup score — and perhaps Kohli’s most memorable innings in blue.
192/2 v Hong Kong, Dubai 2022 – Suryakumar steals the show
If Kohli’s century was classical music, Suryakumar Yadav’s 68 off 26 balls was rock and roll. Against Hong Kong, SKY unfurled ramps, flicks, and scoops that had the Dubai crowd gasping.
India posted 192 for 2, with Kohli’s steady 59* providing a perfect foil. Hong Kong fought bravely but fell short by 40 runs. It was a night that confirmed Suryakumar’s reputation as India’s most daring T20 batter.
181/7 v PAK, Dubai 2022 – a valiant fight in defeat
Some totals carry heartache within them. India’s 181 for 7 against PAK in the Super Four stage of 2022 felt sufficient. Kohli’s 60 anchored the innings, while Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul gave quick starts.
Yet Mohammad Rizwan and Mohammad Nawaz executed a thrilling chase for PAK, winning with one ball remaining. It was a reminder that even in defeat, India–PAK matches leave lasting drama.
173/8 v Sri Lanka, Dubai 2022 – Rohit's lone stand
Against Sri Lanka, India found themselves in trouble early, but Rohit Sharma’s 72 off 41 kept them afloat, raising the total to 173 for 8.
Credit: ESPN
It proved just short, as Sri Lanka chased it down with one ball remaining in another Dubai nail-biter. Though it ended in defeat, Rohit’s innings was a captain’s knock — defiant, elegant, and brave against the tide.
166/6 v Bangladesh, Mirpur 2016 – the first salvo
The T20 Asia Cup was established in 2016, with India’s first innings setting the tone. Against Bangladesh in Mirpur, Rohit Sharma scored 83 off 55 balls, supported by Hardik Pandya’s quickfire 31.
Credit: ESPN
India finished on 166 for 6, a strong total on a challenging pitch, before restricting Bangladesh to 121. It was India’s declaration of intent in the new format — and they went on to win the tournament under MS Dhoni.
As India prepares to open against the UAE on September 10 and face PAK on September 14, the question remains: who will write the next chapter in this list? With SKY, Gill, Abhishek Sharma, and Tilak Varma in good form, another desert storm could be just around the corner.
