Ranking the best ODI innings of all time

One Day International cricket is not in vogue these days, supplanted by T20s in the white ball and unheralded by purists who still enjoy the longest form of the game. Despite its drop in popularity, ODI cricket has provided some of the greatest games and innings we have ever seen, so let’s take a look at the top 15 batting efforts ever.

These days, scores of over 300 are commonplace in ODIs, back in the late 90s, it was seen as an insurmountable target for chasing teams. That Saeed Anwar scored 194 of Pakistan’s 327/5 against India was an incredible effort, bludgeoning 22 fours and five sixes in a truly brutal knock.

Given the stage, this knock could well be rated even higher. Ponting is generally considered one of the best batters of all time and showed exactly why in the 2003 World Cup final. His 140* came in just 121 balls setting India 360 to win.

This was a very different innings to many on this list, but the sheer contempt Watson showed for the Bangladeshi bowlers. Chasing only 229, Watson struck 15 sixes on his way to 185* from his team’s total of 232. By the end, it was more bullying than batting.

Earlier in the day, Australia had become the first team to ever score above 400 in an ODI. Most teams would have accepted their fate and just batted out the second dig. Not Herschelle Gibbs who blasted 175 from 111 balls to set up what is still the biggest chase in ODI history.

It was only right Tendulkar was the first batter to score a double century in men’s ODI cricket. Sachin may be the greatest ODI batter of all time, perhaps only rivaled by compatriot Virat Kohli and this knock showed exactly why he is held in such high regard.

One of the pioneers of ODI cricket, turning the established norm on its head by going hard from ball one. He was a key figure in Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup triumph and just four years later was the main man once again scoring 189 of Sri Lanka’s 299 en route to winning the Champion’s Trophy.

In a rain-affected game, Australia were at a disadvantage batting first, any worries they may have had were soon put to rest after Adam Gilchrist’s assault on their batting. One of the most destructive batters of all time at his destructive best.

Martin Guptill is an oft-forgotten member of New Zealand’s extraordinary run to the 2015 World Cup Final. His incredible 237* against the West Indies showcased everything good about that Black Caps side. Playing with freedom and for the love of the game whilst bludgeoning the poor Windies bowlers to all parts.

Rohit Sharma consistently bends opposition attacks to his will, his simple yet effective technique makes him a nightmare to bowl to and this innings was a perfect example of just that. In an ODI series full of huge scores, Sharma blew away the Aussie bowling attack en route a marvelous double ton.

Hashim Amla and Rilee Rossouw had laid an incredible platform for AB with the first wicket falling in the 39th over. The score was 247-1 at that point. 44 balls and 149 runs later AB left the field with the fastest century in ODI cricket coming from just 31 balls. He was at his irrepressible best, hitting the ball to all parts with a skill level almost beyond comprehension.

England were in all sorts of trouble against New Zealand when Stokes came to the crease. Chasing only 241, England were 71-3 from 19.3 overs with victory looking well beyond them. Stokes played in a way only he seems able to, absorbing pressure before exploding at the appropriate moment. His Super Over heroics are also deserving of a mention.

The closest anyone has ever come to scoring a triple-century in ODI cricket, Rohit Sharma’s 264 looks unbeatable as the highest score ever in the format. Sharma simply bullied the Sri Lanka bowling attack, helping his team to a total above 400.

One of the all-time greats, Richards played cricket like no other of his era, attacking bowling from ball one. His famous 189* came against England at Old Trafford. Batting first the Windies were able to set England 256 to win with Richards scoring 189 of them and only one other batter reaching double figures. What a man, what an innings.

An innings of similar construction to Richards’, Dev was able to milk the strike en route to 175* whilst the rest of the Indian team struggled. Dev’s efforts helped secure then win against a good Zimbabwean team en route to their first World Cup triumph.

There are very few batters in history able to bat like Glenn Maxwell, with extremely fast hands, strong wrists, and rare bravado, he needed all his attributes in this crucial World Cup group game. Australia were losing wickets at an alarming rate before Maxwell, overcome with full-body cramps blasted his way to a double century and the win.