India's 3 highest T20I scores

22 December 2017: India: 260/5 (20 0vers): Rohit 118, Rahul 89; Sri Lanka 172/9 (all out, 17.2 overs)

India won by 88 runs

What a game this was to bring 2017 to an end. India brutalised the Sri Lankan attack at the Holkar Stadium. Coming off the back of a huge victory a few days before against their Asian neighbours, confidence was high. This confidence and ability combined in spectacular fashion and saw the Men in Blue post the second highest T20 international total in history.

India hammered 42 balls into the boundary ropes, bashing holes in the Sri Lankan attack. Only one Sri Lankan bowler managed figures of under 10 an over (Mathews), with Fernando going for 61 runs off his 4 overs.

Rohit Sharma struck the joint fastest T20 century, taking just 35 balls to raise his bat. The batsman was also tasked with captaining the side in the absence of wonder boy – Virat Kohli. Rather than daunt the opener, it spurred him on to an outstanding innings that included 22 boundaries, over half the team's total.

Rahul was also vital to India’s innings, and was unfortunate to be overshadowed by his stand-in captain. The two compiled 165 off 12.4 overs for the first wicket. When India’s onslaught finally ended, they left an awe-struck Sri Lanka with a dizzying run-rate of 13 to achieve the highest run chase in T20I history. Chahal and Yadav combined to take seven Sri Lankan wickets before Chameera’s stumps were pegged back by Pandya and India claimed a titanic victory over their old rivals.

Only Australia have posted a higher T20 international score, beating India’s total by 3 runs in 2016. Once again, Sri Lanka were the unfortunate recipients. India's naturally aggressive style of play, and abundance of skilful players means they are extremely difficult to beat in the T20 format. After winning the very first T20 World Cup in 2007, India have yet to win it for the second time.

After finishing runners-up in 2014, and failing to win on their home soil in 2016, they will be desperate to start winning trophies again in a format they are formidable in.