4 Players With Highest ODI Score At Number 8 For India

When tailenders score a good knock in any match in cricket, it definitely makes up for an entertaining show. When we talk about only ODI cricket, there are few tailenders who have played a wonderful ODI score while batting at a lower-order position.

On some occasions, these tailenders, who usually consist of bowlers, have smashed half-centuries, centuries, and even match-winning knocks.

For instance, the highest score at no.8 batting spot in ODIs in an unbeaten century of 100 runs. At no. 8 batting spot, the highest ODI score is unbeaten 92 runs. Similarly, for no. 10 and no. 11 batting spot, the highest ODI score is of unbeaten 86 and 58 respectively.

In this article, we talk about some highest ODI knocks by Indian tailenders. Here are 4 players with the highest ODI score at number 8 for India.

4 Players With Highest ODI Score At Number 8 For India

4. Ravindra Jadeja – 66*

Ravindra Jadeja takes 4th spot in this list. The Indian all-rounder has played at the number 8 batting position for India on many occasions in ODIs.

In a match against New Zealand in January 2014, Jadeja smashed an unbeaten ODI score of 66 runs after arriving at the crease at the no.8 spot. In the match, home team Kiwis smashed a mammoth total of 314 batting first.

Jadeja arrived at the crease when India were railing at 184-6 in 35.4 overs. The left-handed batsman smashed unbeaten 66 runs off just 45 balls along with an 85-run partnership with Ravichandran Ashwin for the 8th wicket.

He batted till the final ball, smashing 5 fours and 4 sixes during his quickfire knock. The match ended in a tie with India reaching 314/9 in 50 overs. Jadeja could not bag victory for India but his spectacular knock did save the team from a defeat.

3. Ajit Agarkar – 67*

Former Indian pacer Ajit Agarkar takes the 2nd spot in this list with an ODI score of unbeaten 67 in a match against Zimbabwe in December 2000. In the match, home team India batted first. In 43.3 overs, India were railing at 216-6 when Ajit Agarkar came out to bat.

With just all-rounder Reetinder Sodhi on one end and the rest other bowlers yet to bat, it looked like India’s innings might not reach a powerful score. However, Agarkar had something else in mind.

The right-arm pacer scored 67 runs off just 25 deliveries, smashing 4 sixes and 7 fours during his knock. He also hit a fifty off just 21 balls, scripting the record for fastest fifty for India in ODIs during that time.

With Agarkar’s astonishing knock, India reached 301/6 in 50 overs. Later, Agarkar also picked 3 wickets as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 262 in 47.4 overs. For his fabulous all-rounder show, Ajit Agarkar was handed the player of the match award.

2. Deepak Chahar- 69*

India pacer Deepak Chahar grabs the 2^nd spot in this list. During the India vs Sri Lanka 2^nd ODI on Tuesday (July 20, 2021), the right-arm pacer smashed unbeaten 69 runs to bag victory for India while batting at the number 8 spot.

This is also Chahar’s highest ODI score so far. In the match, Sri scored 275/9 batting first with half-centuries by Avishka Fernando (50) and Charith Asalanka (65). Chamika Karunaratne also gave great support with his unbeaten 44 runs off 33 balls in the end.

Losing some quick wickets at the start, India reached a pressure situation railing for 116-5 in 17.6 overs. Later, winning hopes for India almost ended when all the batsmen lost their wickets with 193/7 on the scoreboard. With full-time bowlers Deepak Chahar and Bhuvneshwar Kumar on the crease, Indian team still needed 83 runs to win.

Deepak Chahar smashed 69 runs off 82 balls to eventually bag the winning runs for India. Earlier, he had also picked 2 wickets and was adjudged player of the match for his outstanding show.

1. Ravindra Jadeja- 77

Ravindra Jadeja seizes the top spot in this list with a 77-run ODI score while batting at the number 8 spot. The Indian all-rounder smashed this knock against New Zealand during the ODI World Cup 2019 semi-final. Chasing a 240-run target in the match, India were totally outclassed by the New Zealand pacers.

The top three Indian batsmen KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli lost their wickets at just 1 run each. At one moment, India were 92-6 on the scoreboard.

Ravindra Jadeja arrived on the crease at number 8 position with MS Dhoni on the other side. Both of them scored a partnership of 116 runs, giving a phenomenal twist to the match. Jadeja smashed 77 runs off 59 balls with 4 fours and 4 sixes. However, Jadeja lost his wicket with a catch while trying to hit a big shot.

Later, MS Dhoni also lost his wicket and India remained short of 18 runs for victory in the end. However, Jadeja’s astonishing 77-run knock became a memorable moment for every Indian fan.