Most wide balls bowled by India in T20 International matches

By Ravi - Dec 17, 2025 08:55 PM
Last updated on Dec 17, 2025 08:55 PM

In T20 cricket, every run counts, and wide balls can put immense pressure on any team. India has played matches where the team struggled to prevent extra runs, and they even hold the record for the most wide balls bowled in a single T20 International match.

This blog post explores the matches where India bowled the most wide balls in T20 Internationals. From wayward overs to unusually high numbers of extra runs, these matches demonstrate how even a strong team can sometimes lose control, leading to memorable and costly moments.

1. India bowled 17 wide balls against Sri Lanka in 2009

The record for the most wide balls bowled by India in a T20 International match belongs to their bowling performance against Sri Lanka in Mohali in 2009. After being asked to bowl first by the Sri Lankan team, it was a tough evening for the Indian bowlers as Sri Lanka amassed 206 runs. Ishant Sharma, Ashish Nehra, Yuvraj Singh, and others all conceded a significant number of extra runs, with Ishant and Suresh Raina bowling three wide balls each. The total of 17 wide balls bowled by India in that match remains their highest tally of wide balls in a T20 International to date.

2. India bowled 16 wide balls against West Indies in 2018

This incident relates to India's poor bowling performance against the West Indies in Chennai in 2018. After being asked to bowl first, the Indian bowlers repeatedly missed their lines, with some deliveries even going past wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik, who had to chase them to the boundary, adding to the chaos. The spin trio of Washington Sundar, Krunal Pandya, and Yuzvendra Chahal each bowled three wide balls in their respective four-over spells, resulting in India conceding a total of 16 extra runs from wides, which remains their second-highest tally in T20 Internationals to date.

3. India bowled 16 wide balls against South Africa in 2025

This incident relates to India's wide-ball problem during the second T20 International against South Africa in New Chandigarh in 2025. Arshdeep Singh was at the heart of this debacle, as the Indian left-arm pacer completely lost control of his line and length.

In one disastrous over, Arshdeep bowled seven wide balls alone, contributing to a total of 16 extra runs conceded through wides. This undisciplined bowling allowed South Africa to post a massive score of 213 runs, resulting in one of India's most bizarre bowling performances in T20 Internationals.

4. India bowled 15 wide balls against South Africa in 2007

The story begins with India's famous victory against hosts South Africa in a group stage match during the 2007 ICC World T20 in Durban, which was effectively a quarter-final. Despite this victory, India's bowling performance was surprisingly poor, with 15 wide balls bowled, a record for the team at the time.

Sreesanth alone bowled six wide balls, followed by RP Singh with three. Both bowlers struggled with their line and control, yet under MS Dhoni's captaincy, India defended a modest target of 153 runs to secure a memorable win and advance to the semi-finals.

Also Read: Top 5 Highest run chases in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy

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