All-rounder Rahkeem Cornwall slammed an unbeaten 205 off just 77 balls in the Atlanta Open 2022 T20 League on Wednesday.
Opting to bat first, Atlanta Fire rode on Cornwall’s magnificent double hundred along with contributions from Steven Taylor (53) and Sami Aslam (53 not out) to post a mammoth score of 326 for one in their allotted 20 overs against Square Drive. The Antiguan’s record-breaking innings was laced with 17 fours and 22 sixes. Interestingly, the West Indies Test specialist scored his runs at a staggering strike rate of 266.23.
Later, Atlanta Fire restricted Square Drive to 154 for eight in their 20 overs to secure a massive 172-run victory in the T20 League.
Despite achieving an incredible milestone, Cornwall’s scintillating double ton will not be etched into the history books since the US-based Atlanta Open is not an officially recognised T20 tournament.
Having made his Test debut against India at Sabina Park in 2019, Cornwall has represented the Caribbean outfit in nine Test matches. The 29-year-old West Indies all-rounder has scored 238 runs and picked 34 wickets so far.
Singapore batter Sagar Kulkarni was officially the first cricketer to hit a double century in T20 cricket. Representing Marina Club, Sagar Kulkarni hammered 219 off just 56 balls to power his side to a gigantic score 368/3 in 20 overs in a club match.
Among Indians, Delhi all-rounder Subodh Bharti became the first batter to smash a double century in T20 in 2021. During an inter-club T20 match, Subodh Bharti slammed an unbeaten 79-ball 205 for Delhi XI New against opponents Simba.
Bharti’s stunning double ton helped his side post 256 for one in their 20 overs before bowling out the opposition for 199 in the 18th over.
Meanwhile, Cornwall’s compatriot Chris Gayle still holds the record for the highest individual score in T20 cricket. The swashbuckling southpaw scored an unbeaten 66-ball 175 while representing Team Bangalore against now-defunct Team Pune in the Indian T20 League at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in 2013. Gayle’s record-breaking T20 innings included 13 fours and 17 maximums.
In international cricket, Australia captain Aaron Finch owns the record for the highest individual score, having smashed 172 off just 76 balls against Zimbabwe in Harare in 2018. Finch’s innings was laced with 16 fours and 10 sixes.