Mayank Yadav's 149.5kph Thunderbolt Sends West Indies Reeling After India's Record 249 in Ranchi

Ranchi Erupts as India Post Record Total

India's batting fireworks set the stage for a ferocious pace assault in Ranchi on Friday, as Mayank Yadav unleashed his thunderbolts to leave West Indies reeling in a record chase. Sent in to bat by West Indies skipper Shai Hope, India piled up a formidable 249/5 in 20 overs in the second match of the five-game series — their highest-ever T20I total against the Caribbean side.

Sanju Samson led the charge with a blistering 82 off just 41 balls. Ishan Kishan chipped in with 43 off 22 deliveries, Shreyas Iyer smashed 40 off 18, and Tilak Varma remained unbeaten on 44 off only 18 balls, giving India the platform for a daunting total.

A Record That Rewrites the History Books

India's 249/5 eclipsed their previous highest T20I total against West Indies — 244/4 at Lauderhill in 2016, a match India lost in a last-ball thriller by one run. They had also scored 240/3 at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium and 209/4 in Hyderabad in 2019.

The 250-run target demanded sustained aggression from West Indies from the very first ball, and Mayank made sure they never found their rhythm.

Mayank Strikes Twice in Successive Deliveries

Bowling at searing pace, Mayank struck twice in successive deliveries in the opening over to rock the visitors early. He first dismissed Kamil Pooran off the third ball, with the batter top-edging a 143kmph short delivery. Substitute fielder Ravi Bishnoi sprinted in from square leg and took an excellent catch near midwicket to complete the dismissal.

The next delivery was even more intimidating. Mayank sent down a 144kmph short-of-a-length ball that jagged back sharply, beating Shimron Hetmyer's attempted defence and crashing into the stumps. Hetmyer was bowled for a golden duck, leaving West Indies struggling at 5/2 after just four deliveries.

The 149.5kmph Thunderbolt

Mayank returned to strike again in the final over of the powerplay, producing the fastest and most decisive delivery of his spell. Clocked at a stunning 149.5kmph, the thunderbolt rushed Rovman Powell as he attempted to heave the ball across the line. The delivery brushed his back pad before crashing into the off stump, sending the batter back for 24 off 13 balls.

The dismissal completed Mayank's three-wicket burst and left West Indies at 72/3 after six overs, with the pacer finishing the powerplay with figures of 3/36 from three overs. Despite Powell's brief counterattack, the early damage had put West Indies on the back foot in a chase that demanded sustained aggression against India's imposing total.

A Defining Powerplay Spell

Samson's explosive innings, backed by valuable contributions from Kishan, Iyer and Tilak, gave India their record platform. Mayank's express pace then ensured the visitors faced a daunting challenge from the outset, with his 149.5kmph delivery providing the defining moment of a devastating powerplay spell.