Highest Score in ODI Cricket- One Day Internationals (ODIs) have given cricket fans some of the most breathtaking batting performances in history. With power-hitting, modern bats, and fearless approaches, batsmen have pushed the limits of scoring like never before.
From Rohit Sharma’s unbelievable 264 to England’s record-breaking 498/4, the numbers in ODI cricket continue to climb. In this article, let’s look at the highest scores in ODI cricket both individual innings and team totals — and understand the stories behind these iconic records.
Table of Contents
Top 10 Highest Individual Scores in ODI Cricket
| Rank | Player | Runs | Balls | 4s/6s | Against | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rohit Sharma (India) | 264 | 173 | 33/9 | Sri Lanka | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | 2014 |
| 2 | Martin Guptill (New Zealand) | 237* | 163 | 24/11 | West Indies | Wellington | 2015 |
| 3 | Virender Sehwag (India) | 219 | 149 | 25/7 | West Indies | Indore | 2011 |
| 4 | Chris Gayle (West Indies) | 215 | 147 | 10/16 | Zimbabwe | Canberra | 2015 |
| 5 | Fakhar Zaman (Pakistan) | 210* | 156 | 24/5 | Zimbabwe | Bulawayo | 2018 |
| 6 | Ishan Kishan (India) | 210 | 131 | 24/10 | Bangladesh | Chattogram | 2022 |
| 7 | Rohit Sharma (India) | 209 | 158 | 12/16 | Australia | Bengaluru | 2013 |
| 8 | Rohit Sharma (India) | 208* | 153 | 13/12 | Sri Lanka | Mohali | 2017 |
| 9 | Shubman Gill (India) | 208 | 149 | 19/9 | New Zealand | Hyderabad | 2023 |
| 10 | Sachin Tendulkar (India) | 200* | 147 | 25/3 | South Africa | Gwalior | 2010 |
Rohit Sharma is the only batsman in history with three double centuries in ODIs a record unlikely to be broken soon.
Highest Team Totals in ODI Cricket
| Rank | Team | Score | Overs | Opponent | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | England | 498/4 | 50 | Netherlands | Amstelveen | 2022 |
| 2 | England | 481/6 | 50 | Australia | Nottingham | 2018 |
| 3 | England | 444/3 | 50 | Pakistan | Nottingham | 2016 |
| 4 | Sri Lanka | 443/9 | 50 | Netherlands | Amstelveen | 2006 |
| 5 | South Africa | 439/2 | 50 | West Indies | Johannesburg | 2015 |
| 6 | South Africa | 438/9 | 49.5 | Australia | Johannesburg | 2006 |
| 7 | India | 418/5 | 50 | West Indies | Indore | 2011 |
| 8 | Australia | 417/6 | 50 | Afghanistan | Perth | 2015 |
| 9 | India | 414/7 | 50 | Sri Lanka | Rajkot | 2009 |
| 10 | South Africa | 411/4 | 50 | Ireland | Canberra | 2015 |
England dominates the list with three of the top four scores showing how aggressive modern ODI cricket has become.
The Story Behind Rohit Sharma’s 264 – The Greatest ODI Innings
Rohit Sharma’s 264 against Sri Lanka at Eden Gardens on 13 November 2014 is not just a record it’s a cricketing miracle. After getting a lifeline early in the innings, Rohit made full use of the chance and built his score patiently. He reached his century in 100 balls and then exploded, scoring the next 164 runs in just 73 balls.
His innings included:
- 33 fours and 9 sixes
- A strike rate of 152.6
- Helped India post 404/5
- Sri Lanka managed only 251, losing by 153 runs
Even a decade later, no one has come close to surpassing that individual ODI score.
Also see : Cricket Scorecards Explained: Step-by-Step for Beginners with Examples
Double Centuries in ODI Cricket (Complete List)
| Player | Score | Opponent | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sachin Tendulkar (India) | 200* | South Africa | 2010 |
| Virender Sehwag (India) | 219 | West Indies | 2011 |
| Rohit Sharma (India) | 209 | Australia | 2013 |
| Rohit Sharma (India) | 264 | Sri Lanka | 2014 |
| Rohit Sharma (India) | 208* | Sri Lanka | 2017 |
| Martin Guptill (New Zealand) | 237* | West Indies | 2015 |
| Chris Gayle (West Indies) | 215 | Zimbabwe | 2015 |
| Fakhar Zaman (Pakistan) | 210* | Zimbabwe | 2018 |
| Ishan Kishan (India) | 210 | Bangladesh | 2022 |
| Shubman Gill (India) | 208 | New Zealand | 2023 |
In India leads the world with 7 double centuries in ODIs — a testament to the nation’s batting dominance.
Trends Behind High ODI Scores
Several factors have led to these astronomical numbers in ODIs:
- Powerplay Rules: More field restrictions allow batsmen to attack early.
- Better Bats: Modern bats have thicker edges and more power.
- Flat Pitches: Especially in subcontinent venues like India and Sri Lanka.
- Fitness & Intent: Players now train for high strike rates and endurance.
- T20 Influence: Short-format aggression has carried into ODIs.
Interesting Facts
- The first ODI double century was scored by Sachin Tendulkar in 2010 over 39 years after ODIs began.
- Rohit Sharma’s 264 alone is higher than the total team scores of some full-member nations in ODIs.
- England’s 498/4 in 2022 broke their own record of 481/6 set in 2018.
- Before 2000, scoring even 350+ was rare; now, teams regularly cross 400.
- The fastest ODI century belongs to AB de Villiers (31 balls) though not a double ton, it’s one of cricket’s most explosive innings.
Conclusion
The era of ODI cricket has evolved from cautious batting to fearless run-scoring. What started as 200-run targets in the 1980s has now become 400-plus shootouts.
From Sachin Tendulkar’s pioneering double century to Rohit Sharma’s unbelievable 264 and England’s 498/4, these innings have changed how the world views limited-overs cricket.
Records will keep breaking, but the legends behind them will always remain etched in cricket history.
Key Takeaways
- Highest Individual Score: Rohit Sharma – 264
- Highest Team Total: England – 498/4
- Most Double Centuries by a Player: Rohit Sharma (3)
- Country with Most Double Centuries: India (7)
