5 Highest ODI Individual Score In A Successful Run Chase

ODI cricket has seen a new trend with teams preferring to chase than set scores. Run chases have become the new normal in the 50-over format with teams having players who can hit sixes at will play in the final 10 overs of the game. The likes of Andre Russell, Kieron Pollard, MS Dhoni, Hardik Pandya, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler are examples who get the job done.

Teams are happy chasing scores of over 350 and more and are confident of winning the game as well. The emergence of T20 cricket has made teams believe in their chasing abilities. Virat Kohli is the most suitable example of a player who makes chasing look easily with his calculative strokeplay. In this article, we take a look at the 5 highest individual scores in successful run-chases.

5 Highest ODI Individual Score In A Successful Run Chase

5. Herschelle Gibbs 175 vs Australia

Gibbs played a once-in-a-lifetime knock as South Africa became the first team to successfully chase down a target of over 400. The Proteans won the match on the penultimate ball of the game. Graeme Smith and Mark Boucher scored half-centuries as the others in the batting line-up chipped in as well.

Meanwhile, batting first Australia scored a mammoth 434/4 in their 50 overs with former skipper Ricky Ponting scoring 164 batting at number three. He cashed in on the good start from the Aussie openers who stiched 97 for the first wicket.

Though South Africa won the match on paper, television commentators described cricket as the ultimate winner after the game. This match changed the course of ODI cricket ever since.

4. Ross Taylor- 181* vs England

At number five in the list of successful run-chases, is Kiwi middle-order batsman, Ross Taylor. England posted 335-9 batting first at the Dunedin Oval in 2018 with tons from Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root.

Set to chase 336 for victory, Taylor scored an unbeaten 181 as the Kiwis won the game with three balls to spare. Tom Latham (71), Kane Williamson (45) and Colin De Granhomme played useful hands as well in the run chase. The score remains Taylor’s highest in the 50-over format.

3. Virat Kohli- 183 vs Pakistan

Indian skipper Virat Kohli registered his highest ODI score against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2012. Kohli’s knock helped India to chase down 330 required for victory with 13 balls to spare. Sachin Tendulkar (52) and Rohit Sharma (68) added key runs with Kohli in the partnerships.

Earlier in the game, centuries from Mohammad Hafeez and Nasir Jamshed took Pakistan to 329/6 in their 50 overs. However, Kohli’s highest ODI scored made the run chase a one-sided encounter.

2. MS Dhoni- 183* vs Sri Lanka

Former Indian skipper MS Dhoni also scored an unbeaten 183 against Sri Lanka in Jaipur way back in 2005. It remains his highest ODI score which was scored in a successful run chase. India needed 299 to win and Dhoni produced his finishing masterclass. This knock came batting at number three for India in ODI cricket when he was still in his early days.

This knock brought to the fore MS Dhoni the finisher in international cricket. Batting first Sri Lanka scored 298/4 led by Kumar Sangakkara’s 138 and Mahela Jayawardene’s 71.

1. Shane Watson- 185* vs Bangladesh

Watson’s knock ranks second in the list of highest individual scores in successful run chase. Australia toured Bangladesh in 2011 for and this was the second ODI in Dhaka.

The Tigers scored a paltry 229/7 in their 50 overs as Mitchell Johnson picked three wickets and Steve Smith who played as a leg-spinner in those days picked two.

Watson single-handedly took the game to the opposition scoring 185* from just 96 balls with 15 fours and as many sixes. That remains his highest ODI score as the Aussies chased down the score in just 26 overs.

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