In a high-stakes T20 cricket world, setting a total over 240 is usually seen as psychological warfare. It is, more often than not, an immovable beast that suffocates the opposition even before the toss of the second innings.
Yet, for Shreyas Iyer, one of the sharpest tactical minds and successful captains, this number holds a strange and eerie irony.
When the West Indies overturned a mammoth target of 250 in Ranchi on Friday, October 9, 2026, it not only brought an end to Iyer's phenomenal 10-match winning streak as India's T20I skipper (surpassing the previous benchmark of eight by Rohit Sharma) but added another chapter to an uncanny personal curse he has faced.
Despite his credentials as a trophy winner, Iyer has now found himself on the wrong side of history thrice when defending a score above 240.
Here are the three run-fests that hold a peculiar weakness in the otherwise stellar captaincy record of Shreyas Iyer
1. IND vs WI (2nd T20I, Ranchi – 2026)
Target defended: 249/5 Result: lost by wickets
The most recent defeat is still fresh in the memories of the Indian cricket fans. A brilliant chase on a batting paradise in Ranchi saw Sanju Samson accelerating rapidly to a fluent 41-ball 82. Outstanding knocks from Ishan Kishan (43), Iyer (40), and an unbeaten 44 by Tilak Varma guided India to a mammoth 249/5.
It seemed like a safe total, and the team was delighted to have batted so well. However, the West Indies made a mockery of it, recording the highest-ever run chase in T20I history. Shai Hope remained not out on 102, while Sherfane Rutherford and Romario Shepherd scored unbeaten 84 and 34 respectively. The West Indians raced to the target in a mere 18.3 overs, leaving Iyer stunned.
2. KKR vs PBKS (IPL, Eden Gardens – 2024)
Target defended: 261/6 Result: lost by 8 wickets
Iyer had already staked his claim as a young leader well before he put on the armbands for the first time as the leader of the Indian team. Kolkata Knight Riders made it to the 2024 IPL final, and Eden Gardens was witness to yet another thrilling T20 match.
Batting first, KKR posted a healthy total of 261/6, with a brace of stunning half-centuries from the opening pair of Phil Salt (75) and Sunil Narine (71). The total was supposed to be a winning one, but PBKS made a statement that chasing down anything and everything is their specialty. Chasing 262, the Punjab Kings made a mockery of the KKR total, posting 265/5 in merely 18.4 overs with a rampant Jonny Bairstow remaining not out on 108. Shashank Singh and Prabhsimran Singh added 68 and 54 each, bashing Iyer's bowling attack all over the park.
3. SRH vs PBKS (IPL, Hyderabad – 2025)
Target defended: 245/6 Result: lost by 8 wickets
Iyer was transferred to PBKS for the 2025 IPL season and, as expected, he faced yet another thrilling IPL encounter. The PBKS opener played a captain's innings, scoring a rapid 82 while adding 36 and 34 from Priyansh Arya and Marcus Stoinis. The total of 245/6 set by PBKS was supposed to be a winning one, but, unsurprisingly, it was overturned by an unbelievable chase by SRH.
Abhishek Sharma scored a breathtaking 141, while Travis Head scored a fearful 66 as Sunrisers Hyderabad chased down the target in a mere 18.3 overs. It was yet another heart-wrenching sight for Iyer, who watched helplessly as his team's efforts were rendered futile by the rampant batting of SRH.
Also read: Tilak Varma's Stunning T20I Numbers Make Him India's Next Big Finisher
The Final Word
Cricket is a game where the chasing teams are taking batting to new levels, where the once-safe scoring rates are no longer considered high. These three matches represent the strange coincidence of Shreyas Iyer's career as a captain. Iyer has many strengths, both as a leader and a batsman, but learning to defend big totals seems to be his weakest link.