A Glimpse into the History of High Scores in ODI Cricket

The format of cricket known as "One Day International" (ODI) features thrilling competition between national teams of various countries. It is played on the same day with restricted overs for each side. From outstanding batting performances to unforgettable team efforts, these records perfectly capture the spirit of exploring the importance of scoring in limited overs.

The batting ability of international cricketers has grown exponentially over the past 15 years, resulting in a number of high-scoring One-Day International matches. Due to batsmen-friendly regulations and small boundaries, the highest score in ODI by a side often reaches above 400 nowadays. Let's have a look at the ODI cricket records for the highest scores.

Top 3 Highest Team Totals

1. England beat the Netherlands by scoring 498 runs in Amstelveen on June 17, 2022, setting a new record for the highest total by a team in an ODI. Liam Livingstone and Jos Buttler's explosive innings enabled England to amass a mammoth 498 runs. Liam Livingstone added 66 off just 22 balls and Jos Buttler scored 162 runs.

2. The second-highest ODI team total was England's 481 runs against Australia in Nottingham on June 19, 2018. With the explosive innings of Alex Hales and Jonny Bairstow, England amassed a massive 481 runs. In the game, Alex Hales scored 147 runs and Johnny Bairstow scored 139. That match ended in a 242-run victory for England.

3. England's 444 runs against Pakistan in Nottingham on August 30, 2016, is the third-highest team score in an ODI. Alex Hales, the star of the previous match, repeated his performance, scoring 171 runs (4 sixes, 22 fours) off 122 balls.

The First-Ever Team Total Of 400+

● Australia recorded their first 400+ total on 12 March 2006 against South Africa in Johannesburg. Despite this, South Africa scored 438 runs, winning the match and breaking the record for most runs in an ODI by a team.

● India scored 400 runs for the first time in an ODI on March 19, 2007, when they played against Bermuda at Port of Spain. In India's 413-run innings, Virender Sehwag was a major contributor thanks to his brisk performance, during which he scored 114 runs in 87 deliveries with 3 sixes and 17 fours.

Also Read: Most Centuries by Indians in Cricket World Cup (Men and Women)

Teams With The Most ODI Scores Of 400 Or Higher

South Africa holds the record for most 400+ run scores with eight, followed by India with six, England with five, Sri Lanka and Australia with two, and New Zealand with one.

Highest Individual Score In An Innings In ODI

●  The knock by Rohit Sharma at Eden Gardens on November 13th, 2014 is still vivid in everyone's mind. With his devastating 264-run score, Rohit, at his peak, completely destroyed the Sri Lankan bowlers. No batsman in ODI cricket has scored closer to his second double ton (he scored a third versus Sri Lanka in 2017). In his 173-ball innings, he hit 33 fours and 9 sixes.

● New Zealand starter Martin Guptill excelled in the 2015 World Cup. In 9 innings, he scored 547 runs, leading the competition. In Wellington, Guptill's quarter-final innings against the West Indies was magnificent. In ODIs, he was New Zealand's sole double-century scoring batsman. Through 163 balls, Guptill scored 237 runs making it the 2nd best personal score in ODI.

●  After Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, a former opener for India, became the second batsman to reach 200+ in one-day internationals. On December 8th, 2011 in Indore, Sehwag blasted 219 runs off 149 balls against the West Indies, hitting 25 fours & 7 sixes. Sehwag's 219 was the best score in a single game until Rohit Sharma beat it in 2014 against Sri Lanka. India scored 418 runs, their greatest ODI total, thanks to Sehwag.

First 200+ Individual Score

Sachin Tendulkar made history when he became the first player in ODI cricket history to achieve 200 runs. In 2010 in Gwalior, during a day-night match, he accomplished the desired milestone against the South African cricket team. The Master Blaster hit this incredible benchmark in the second one-day international of the home series. The record-setting innings required just 147 deliveries and included a total of 25 fours and three sixes. He has scored 18426 runs in one-day international matches, which is a record that might never be broken.

High Scores and Their Impact On Cricket

In addition to giving fans something to cheer about, the highest totals in One-Day International Cricket have had a major effect on how teams approach their games going forward. The best players in the world are no longer afraid to take risks, and the best teams are more likely to embrace aggressive playing tactics in an effort to either post or chase down huge scores.