Top 5 personal best innings in ODI cricket

Why Wasim-Waquer's bowling is still unique in the world of cricket

One-day international cricket (ODI) is a limited-overs version of the game of cricket. The International Cricket Council (ICC) was the first to introduce the sport to the public in an effort to make it more attractive to spectators. The first ODI was played between Australia and England on 5 January 1971.

One-day cricket has been very popular since its inception. To test that popularity, the One-day World Cup was introduced in 1975. That World Cup, which was introduced every four years, has still become the most popular tournament in cricket. 

However, scoring a double century in ODI cricket was once a dream. Legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar made that dream a reality. Following in the footsteps of Sachin, 9 star batsmen from India, New Zealand, West Indies, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Australia have scored double centuries in ODI cricket. 

However, former Indian captain Rohit Sharma, known as 'Hitman', is at a unique height in history by scoring a record 3 double centuries in ODIs and playing the highest innings of 246 runs. 

Rohit played a brilliant innings of 264 runs against Sri Lanka on November 13, 2024 at the traditional Eden Gardens in Kolkata, facing just 173 balls, with the help of a record 33 fours and 9 sixes. Which still holds the place of the best individual innings in cricket history. 

In second position on this list is former New Zealand star cricketer Martin Guptill. He played an impeccable innings of 237* runs off 163 balls against the West Indies in Wellington on March 21, 2015, with the help of 24 fours and 11 sixes. 

Former Indian star opener Virender Sehwag played the third highest individual innings in ODI cricket. He played an innings of 219 runs off 149 balls against the West Indies in Indore on 8 December 2011, with the help of 25 fours and 7 sixes.

Former West Indies captain and former star cricketer Chris Gayle is in fourth position in this list. Known as the 'Universe Boss' in the shorter formats of cricket, this star cricketer played an innings of 215 runs off 147 balls against Zimbabwe in Canberra on February 24, 2015, with the help of 10 fours and a record 16 sixes. 

In fifth position are three star openers from Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India - Fakhar Zaman, Pathum Nishanka and Ishan Kishan. Fakhar Zaman played an innings of 210* runs off 156 balls against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo on July 20, 2018, which included 24 fours and 5 sixes.

On February 9, 2024, Sri Lankan star opener Pathum Nishanka played an impeccable innings of 210* runs off 139 balls against Afghanistan at the Pallekele Stadium, with the help of 20 fours and 8 sixes. 

Indian opener Ishan Kishan scored 210 runs off 131 balls against Bangladesh in Chittagong on December 10, 2022, with the help of 24 fours and 10 sixes. 

Apart from this, Indian star opener Shubman Gill (208) and Australian star Glenn Maxwell (201*) have also scored double centuries in ODI cricket.