We’ve seen several outstanding ODI innings in cricket’s history. We’ve lost count of past amazing innings. I’ve chosen the top 10 ODI innings in men’s cricket history. These 10 are arguably the best, according to me.
Herschelle Gibbs 175
The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg hosted one of the most legendary ODIs on March 12, 2006. Ricky Ponting’s immaculate 164 off 105 balls helped Australia reach 434-4 in 50 overs. South Africa lost Dippenaar early and Herschelle Gibbs at 3. In a 187-run partnership, he and Graeme Smith thwarted Australian bowlers.
Smith left, but Gibbs kept hitting as South Africa neared the record. Gibbs was out for 175 from 111 balls, with 21 fours and 7 sixes. South Africa chased down the massive mark with one wicket and one ball remaining, thanks to Mark Boucher, Van Der Wath, Kemp, and Telemachus.
Saeed Anwar 194
India vs. Pakistan contests are always high-octane, and the 1997 Pepsi Independence Cup was no exception. Pakistan won the toss and batted. Saeed Anwar opened with Shahid Afridi. Saeed Anwar looked great while Afridi struggled. Anwar’s bat was raking as his teammates played the second fiddle.
Anwar crossed 150, 160, and 190 and appeared set to become the first men’s cricketer to hit 200 runs. Sachin Tendulkar ended his innings at 194 bowling. Anwar’s 194 off 146 had 22 fours and 5 sixes. Aaqib Javed’s 5-for helped Pakistan defend their 327 runs. Anwar won the match for Pakistan by 35 runs.
Virender Sehwag 219
Virender Sehwag played a terrific ODI inning on December 8, 2011. It was also the captain’s highest score (in ODI cricket). Sehwag demolished West Indies in the 4th ODI in Indore. Sehwag’s 219 off 149 balls included 25 fours and 7 sixes. He and Gautam Gambhir opened for India, scoring 176 runs in 50 overs.
Later, Rahul Sharma, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Suresh Raina took 9 wickets as India won by 153 runs. Virender Sehwag’s stunning effort helped India win 3-1 in the 5-match series.
Virat Kohli 133*
In 2012, India faced Sri Lanka in the penultimate Commonwealth Bank Tri-Series match. India needed to win big to keep their finals hopes alive. Tillakaratne Dilshan’s 160* Kumar Sangakkara’s 105 helped Sri Lanka post 320 in 50 overs. India needed to chase down a challenging target in 40 overs to win.
Then Virat Kohli scored 133* off 86 balls. India chased the mark in 37 overs thanks to his 8 fours and 2 sixes. A young Virat announced himself internationally. His knock was lauded, especially how he played Lasith Malinga. He brutally beat Malinga. Amazing inning!
AB De Villiers 149
AB De Villiers is a world-class batter. When he bats, you may expect pyrotechnics. AB De Villiers had been in beast mode in the 2nd ODI against West Indies on January 18, 2015. Hashim Amla and Rilee Rossouw scored 247 runs before De Villiers came in. What he did in those 10 overs is unfathomable.
In 44 balls, De Villiers scored 149 runs. WOAH! 149! AB’s hits included 9 fours and 16 sixes. AB De Villiers scored the fastest ODI hundred in 31 balls. South Africa scored 439-2 in 50 overs and held the Windies to 291-7 to win by 148 runs. AB’s stunning 149 off 44 was simply out of this world and earned him player of the match.
Vivian Richards 189*
Sir Vivian Richards batted brilliantly in 1984. Windies batted first in the 55-over match against England at Old Trafford in Manchester. The West Indies lost both openers early, and Viv Richards batted at 4 with 11 runs for 2 wickets. Richards held one end, although he lost partners often.
The Windies were 102-7 with several overs left. Edline Baptiste gave Viv needed support. Viv kept shooting freely. Only by dismissing other batters could the English bowlers halt Viv. Richards was in the middle at 166 for 9. With Michael Holding, he helped West Indies reach 272 for 9 in 55 overs. Richards made 189 off 170 balls. 21 fours and 5 sixes were hit. West Indies won by 104 runs after Vivian Richards bowled 11 overs and took 2 wickets.
Sachin Tendulkar 200*
February 24, 2010, was a record-breaking day for Team India and cricket worldwide. Sachin Tendulkar made history in India’s 2nd ODI against South Africa in Gwalior. MS Dhoni, Dinesh Karthik, and Yusuf Pathan helped India reach 401 for 3 in 50 overs. Sachin Tendulkar dominated.
First ODI double-century. Wasn’t it inevitable? Sachin struck 200* from 147 balls with 25 fours and 3 sixes. South Africa was shot out for 248 in 42.5 overs despite AB De Villiers’ unbeaten 114. India wins by 153 runs. Sachin Tendulkar won player of the match for his 200.
Martin Guptill 237*
Martin Guptill played one of the best knockout World Cup innings. New Zealand and West Indies competed in the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup’s 4th Quarterfinal. New Zealand batted first on a good Wellington wicket. Guptill looked good after Brendon McCullum went early. He continued his outstanding form by beating all Windies bowlers.
Williamson and Ross Taylor held on while Guptill attacked. Guptill reached 100, doubled it, and concluded with 237 off 163 balls. 24 fours and 11 sixes in one inning. New Zealand scored 393-6 in 50 overs. Windies hitters were neck-and-neck with the run rate but kept losing wickets. New Zealand won by 143 runs after bowling Australia out for 250 in 30.3 overs.
Rohit Sharma 264
Rohit Sharma creates records when he bats long, and he did so on November 13 at Eden Gardens. Rohit Sharma was eliminated early in Sri Lanka’s 4th ODI, but he made them pay. Once Rohit’s eye is in, he can score runs quickly. Rohit’s amazing hitting left Sri Lanka speechless. He scored 100, doubled it, and kept going with many leftovers.
Rohit passed 250 runs and holed out on the penultimate ball of the innings. Rohit scored 264 runs off 173 balls in Kolkata. He hit 33 fours and 9 sixes. India reached 404-5 in 50 overs and appeared to win. Sri Lanka was dismissed in 43.1 overs. Rohit scored 264 runs, more than Sri Lanka’s team (251). An amazing inning!
Kapil Dev 175
Kapil Dev played the best ODI innings ever. India was 17-5 versus Zimbabwe in a World Cup match in Tunbridge Well. Both openers were out, and 3, 4, and 5 barely scored. Kapil Dev batted sixth. He looked to bat on a separate deck. He counterattacked Zimbabwe bowlers with lethal accuracy. India was 78 for 7 when Kapil lost two partners. Madan Lal helped while Kapil attacked. India reached 140 when Lal was removed. Syed Kirmani, at 10, helped Kapil Dev. Kapil Dev stayed undefeated on 175 runs off 138 deliveries. His 16 fours and 6 sixes helped India reach 266-8 in 60 overs. Zimbabwe batted hard but lost by 32 runs; Kapil Dev took the final wicket. The win made India hope they may win the tournament, which they did.