Top 10 Highest Individual Scores in ODI Cricket
One Day Internationals (ODIs) have provided fans with unforgettable moments over the decades, but few are as thrilling as watching a batsman dominate the field with a colossal individual score. Scoring a century in ODIs is commendable, but surpassing 200 runs in a single innings is a rare and extraordinary feat.
In this article, we highlight the top 10 highest individual scores in ODI cricket—feats that have redefined the limits of batting excellence and left a permanent mark in the record books.
Rohit Sharma – 264 runs
Opponent: Sri Lanka
Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Date: 13 November 2014
Rohit Sharma’s 264 remains the highest individual score in ODI history. The Indian opener displayed remarkable endurance and timing, smashing 33 fours and 9 sixes in his 173-ball innings. What made this knock even more iconic was that it came just months after his recovery from injury. India posted a massive 404, and Sri Lanka never stood a chance.
Martin Guptill – 237 runs*
Opponent: West Indies
Venue: Wellington, New Zealand
Date: 21 March 2015 (World Cup Quarterfinal)
Guptill’s unbeaten 237 in the 2015 Cricket World Cup ranks among the greatest World Cup innings of all time. Batting first, he tore through the West Indian attack with 24 fours and 11 sixes. His knock propelled New Zealand into the semifinals, cementing his place in World Cup folklore.
Virender Sehwag – 219 runs
Opponent: West Indies
Venue: Indore
Date: 8 December 2011
Before Rohit’s 264, Sehwag held the record for the highest individual ODI score. Known for his aggressive style, Sehwag didn’t hold back against West Indies. His 149-ball assault included 25 fours and 7 sixes. India scored a massive 418/5 and won comfortably, with Sehwag earning all the headlines.
Chris Gayle – 215 runs
Opponent: Zimbabwe
Venue: Canberra, Australia
Date: 24 February 2015 (World Cup)
Another World Cup epic, Gayle’s double ton came in just 147 balls. True to his style, he launched 16 sixes—then a record for a World Cup match. Partnering with Marlon Samuels for a 372-run stand (also a record), Gayle ensured West Indies posted a mammoth 372/2.
Fakhar Zaman – 210 runs*
Opponent: Zimbabwe
Venue: Bulawayo
Date: 20 July 2018
Fakhar Zaman became the first Pakistani to score a double century in ODIs. He remained unbeaten on 210 from 156 balls, featuring 24 fours and 5 sixes. Pakistan put up a commanding 399/1, and Zaman’s effort received wide praise for its class and composure.
Rohit Sharma – 209 runs
Opponent: Australia
Venue: Bengaluru
Date: 2 November 2013
Rohit Sharma’s love affair with double centuries began against Australia in 2013. In this innings, he hit a then-record 16 sixes. His 209 off 158 balls was a destructive mix of timing and brute power, helping India post 383 and secure the series.
Rohit Sharma – 208 runs*
Opponent: Sri Lanka
Venue: Mohali
Date: 13 December 2017
Rohit’s third ODI double century came as a captain. On his second wedding anniversary, he celebrated with a majestic 208*, filled with 13 fours and 12 sixes. It showcased his maturity as a batsman—slow start, explosive finish, and total domination.
Sachin Tendulkar – 200 runs*
Opponent: South Africa
Venue: Gwalior
Date: 24 February 2010
The Little Master or god of cricket became the first player ever to score a double century in ODIs. This historic knock changed perceptions of what was possible in the 50-over format. Sachin’s 200* from 147 balls was a mix of timing, placement, and relentless pressure.
Charles Coventry – 194 runs*
Opponent: Bangladesh
Venue: Bulawayo
Date: 16 August 2009
Before the era of regular double centuries, Zimbabwe’s Charles Coventry stunned the world with 194*—then the joint-highest score alongside Saeed Anwar. Though it came in a losing cause, Coventry’s innings was an unforgettable display of power hitting and stamina.
Saeed Anwar – 194 runs
Opponent: India
Venue: Chennai
Date: 21 May 1997
For more than a decade, Anwar’s 194 remained the pinnacle of individual brilliance in ODIs. Batting with a runner due to cramps, he punished the Indian bowlers with exquisite timing and footwork. This record stood for 13 years before being matched by Coventry and later broken by Tendulkar.
Final Thoughts
The top 10 highest individual scores in ODI cricket reflect how the game has evolved—from 194 in 1997 to 264 in 2014. Batsmen today are fitter, stronger, and more innovative. Flat pitches and changing field restrictions have certainly helped, but these records still require exceptional skill, focus, and mental strength.
Whether you’re a fan of the old-school technique of Sachin Tendulkar or the modern-day power of Rohit Sharma, these innings remind us why cricket continues to be one of the most loved sports across the globe.
