Cricket has always been about moments. The crowd holds its breath. The bowler charges in. Then comes the bat’s sweet connection with the ball—and suddenly, magic happens. That’s the beauty of One Day Internationals (ODIs). They offer the perfect platform for batters to make history. And fans often anticipate about cricketers with most runs in an ODI match.
In this article, we’re getting into those unforgettable innings where players pushed boundaries, smashed records, and carved their names into cricketing folklore. If you’re a fan who loves numbers as much as narrative, you’re in for a treat.
Why One-Day Internationals Bring Out The Best In Batters?
ODIs strike a balance between the high-paced thrill of T20s and the patience-driven grind of Test matches. You get to see a full spectrum of batting skills—power-hitting, calculated strokes, rotating the strike, and of course, those mammoth innings that shift the entire momentum of the game.
Top 5 Cricketers With Most Runs in an ODI Match
In ODIs, there’s just enough time for a batter to build an innings, shift gears, and then explode in the final overs. That’s where these record-breaking innings come into play. Now let’s talk about the legends who made these moments unforgettable.
1. Rohit Sharma – The Master Blaster of Modern ODI Cricket
Let’s pause for the man who tops them all—Rohit Sharma. You probably remember that match, don’t you?
264 Runs vs Sri Lanka – A Batting Clinic at Eden Gardens
On November 13, 2014, Rohit Sharma produced something truly surreal. He smashed 264 runs in just 173 balls. We’re not just talking about a double century; we’re talking about an ODI record that still stands tall.
The match was played at the historic Eden Gardens in Kolkata, and every shot he played was a blend of elegance and aggression. He cracked 33 fours and 9 sixes. It wasn’t just brute force; it was calculated destruction. Rohit built his innings gradually before unleashing havoc in the final 10 overs. And what a show it was.
You could feel the crowd buzzing with every boundary. Fans weren’t just watching a match. They were witnessing history unfold.
2. Martin Guptill – The Kiwi Who Owned the World Cup Stage
When you think of World Cup magic, Martin Guptill’s innings in 2015 instantly pops into mind. And rightly so.
237 Not Out vs West Indies – Quarter-Final Heroics
This wasn’t a regular bilateral series match. It was the quarter-final of the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup. The pressure was immense, the stage global, and Guptill rose like a warrior.
Scoring an unbeaten 237 runs off 163 balls, he hit 24 boundaries and 11 sixes. He didn’t just bat. He anchored, accelerated, and annihilated. The Wellington crowd was on its feet throughout, especially when he entered the 200s.
Guptill’s timing, shot selection, and control under pressure made this one of the finest World Cup innings ever played. And yes, it helped New Zealand cruise into the semi-finals with confidence and flair.
3. Virender Sehwag – The Fearless Opener Who Redefined Aggression
Virender Sehwag was never the kind to hold back. Whether it was the first ball of the match or the 40th over, he played his natural game—aggressive, bold, and without second thoughts.
219 Runs vs West Indies – A Storm in Indore
On December 8, 2011, in Indore, Sehwag went all guns blazing. He scored 219 runs off just 149 balls. His innings was sprinkled with 25 boundaries and 7 sixes.
The West Indies bowlers had no clue where to bowl to him. He picked gaps effortlessly, danced down the track with confidence, and lofted balls out of the park like it was a routine.
What stood out was his unflinching commitment to play his natural game. He didn’t try to be cautious after reaching his century or 150. That’s Sehwag for you—fearless, fluid, and fabulous.
4. Chris Gayle – The Universal Boss’s Record-Breaking Knock
When Chris Gayle is in form, the world watches. And in the 2015 World Cup, Zimbabwe learned that the hard way.
215 Runs vs Zimbabwe – A Six-Hitting Extravaganza
Manuka Oval in Canberra turned into a six-hitting paradise as Chris Gayle hammered 215 runs in just 147 balls. What made the innings even more special? He slammed 16 sixes. Yes, 16.
He also hit 10 fours. Gayle’s innings was not just about muscle. It was about presence. Every time he took strike, the energy in the stadium shifted.
This was the first double century in a World Cup match and a display of dominance that only the Universal Boss could deliver.
5. Fakhar Zaman – Pakistan’s Trailblazer With a Record-Breaking Knock
Fakhar Zaman might not have the decades-long career of others on this list, but his impact has been just as powerful. Especially with his double century.
210 Not Out vs Zimbabwe – A New Dawn for Pakistan Cricket
On July 20, 2018, in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, Fakhar Zaman became the first Pakistani to score a double century in ODIs. His unbeaten 210 came off 156 balls, including 24 fours and 5 sixes.
While Zimbabwe’s bowling wasn’t the strongest, what stood out was Zaman’s ability to keep going. He showed patience, precision, and a hunger to make history.
After the 2017 Champions Trophy, this was another defining moment in his young but impactful career. His innings inspired a new generation of Pakistani batters.
The Impact of These Mammoth Innings on ODI Cricket
These individual records do more than just amaze us. They not only change how teams think but also they push bowlers to evolve. They force captains to come up with smarter field placements. But most importantly, they tell us something crucial about the modern ODI game—it’s fast-changing, intensely competitive, and favors those who can adapt and explode.
Innings like these have also inspired the next generation of cricketers. Young batters now believe in aiming for the double ton. The mindset has shifted. The limits have expanded. And all credit goes to the legends who set the stage.
What Makes a Double Century Possible in ODIs?
Reaching 200 in a 50-over match is no small feat. It requires a perfect combination of several factors:
- A Solid Opening Partnership: If the openers can set the tone and play deep, it lays the foundation for such big scores.
- Smart Strike Rotation: Players like Sehwag and Rohit are great at keeping the scoreboard ticking. That helps in maintaining pressure on the fielding side.
- Controlled Acceleration: The ability to switch gears without losing control is key. All these players started slow and then picked up the pace in the final 15 overs.
- Mental Endurance: Batting for 40+ overs demands extreme focus and mental toughness. You can’t afford to switch off even for a second.
Will We See More Such Innings in the Future?
Absolutely. With the rise of T20 cricket, players are more aggressive, fit, and ready to chase impossible targets. While pitches are becoming more batter-friendly, the skill sets are evolving too.
We might even see someone break Rohit Sharma’s 264 someday. All it takes is one exceptional day and one exceptional batter.
Let’s Rewind
ODI cricket has given us countless memories, but nothing quite compares to the thrill of watching a batter chase a double century. These innings are not just about numbers. They’re about heart, grit, and the ability to rise on the big stage.
From Rohit Sharma to Fakhar Zaman, every name on this list has shown us what greatness looks like. They didn’t just bat—they created history. And who knows? Maybe the next record-breaker is already sharpening their skills, waiting for their day in the sun.