These scores are a result of sheer will and determination.
Since the turn of the century, batters have defied expectations, setting massive scores in limited-overs cricket. In ODIs, a batter must balance anchoring an innings with aggressive acceleration to achieve a monumental score. Several standout players have delivered exceptional performances, demonstrating their elite batting skills. Here, we highlight the top highest individual scores ever recorded in ODI cricket.
The Universe boss, Chris Gayle, unleashed a breathtaking 215 runs against Zimbabwe during the 2015 ODI World Cup. While Gayle was no stranger to big scores, achieving this feat on such a grand stage made it all the more remarkable. After the West Indies opted to bat first, they lost their first wicket on the second ball. With Gayle at the crease, the pressure was on, and he rose to the occasion magnificently. Initially, Gayle played cautiously, reaching his century in 105 balls with a mix of singles and occasional boundaries. But once he crossed the halfway mark, he shifted gears. In the death overs, Gayle began to dominate, smashing fours and sixes at will. He blazed through his next 100 runs in just 33 balls, marking the first double century in ODI World Cup history. Gayle was dismissed on the last ball of the inning, finishing with a spectacular 215 off 147 balls, including 10 fours and 16 sixes.
After Sachin Tendulkar's unbeaten 200 in 2010, Virender Sehwag became the second Indian to score a double century in ODIs. As captain, he led India against the West Indies in the 4th ODI of 2011, opting to bat first. Sehwag began his innings aggressively, punishing every bowler, starting with Gautam Gambhir. He reached his century in just 69 balls and continued his onslaught, achieving the double tonne in 140 balls. Sehwag eventually fell to Kieron Pollard in the 47th over, having scored a brilliant 219 off 149 balls, with 25 fours and 7 sixes.
Martin Guptill hammered an unbeaten 237 runs against the West Indies in the 2015 ODI World Cup, just a month after Chris Gayle's record knock. In the crucial quarterfinal, co-hosts New Zealand chose to bat first. Early on, Guptill got a lucky break when Marlon Samuels dropped a catch, and he made the most of it. He steadily reached his century in 111 balls, then shifted gears, effortlessly hitting boundaries. Guptill reached his double century in 152 balls and finished with 237 not out, including 24 fours and 11 sixes, leading New Zealand to a commanding position.
When Virender Sehwag scored his double-century in 2011, Rohit Sharma was at the other end. Few imagined Rohit would later surpass Sehwag with the highest individual score in ODI cricket. In 2014, during the 4th ODI against Sri Lanka at Eden Gardens, Rohit delivered a historic performance. Benefiting from a couple of lifelines, he reached a run-a-ball century before unleashing an onslaught. Rohit raced to his second ODI double century in 151 balls, eventually scoring 264 off 173 balls—the highest individual ODI score. Making a comeback after injury, he made it a truly memorable one.
These batsmen pushed the boundary of what batting could do. The innings are a mix of composure reminiscent of test cricket and the explosiveness of T20.
