Biggest victories in ODI cricket
The upcoming 13th edition of the ODI World Cup has once against directed the attention of the fans to the much-talked-about format. While the 50-over format usually tends to produce an intriguing tussle between bat and ball, there have been some mismatches over the years. On that note, we list the most one-sided contests in the history of the format, taking a look at the biggest victories in terms of runs in ODIs.
290 – New Zealand against Ireland, 2008
New Zealand shattered several records when they squared off against a hapless Ireland side in Aberdeen for the first match of the Associates Tri-Series. Batting first in the contest, the Kiwis posted a mammoth total of 402 runs in their 50 overs, thanks to centuries from their openers, James Marshall and Brendon McCullum. The duo added 274 runs for the first wicket, New Zealand’s highest opening partnership in the format. Ireland got nowhere close to the target, surrendering for a meek total of 112 runs in their chase, making it the largest victory in ODIs in terms of runs at that time.
304 – Zimbabwe against USA, 2023
It was a day to forget for the USA when they ran into an in-from Zimbabwe in the 17th match of the World Cup Qualifiers 2023. The African side put their foot on the accelerators after the powerplay in the first innings, courtesy of skipper Sean Williams’s belligerent 65-ball century. While Williams went on to smack a mind-boggling 174 off just 101 deliveries, Sikandar Raza and Ryan Burl’s blistering cameos helped Zimbabwe get to their highest ODI total of 408 runs. Monank Patel’s USA were never in the contest, and a horrible top-order collapse worsened matters for the visitors as they were bundled out for a paltry total of 104 runs. USA’s fragile batting display handed an astonishing 304-run victory to the home side.
317 – India against Sri Lanka, 2023
It was a day of milestones for the Indian team when they hosted neighbours Sri Lanka for the third and final ODI of the series at Thiruvananthapuram. Batting first in the series finale, the home side lost skipper Rohit Sharma after a solid opening partnership. Despite the influential opener’s dismissal, India continued to pile the pressure on the visitors, thanks to a sizzling partnership between Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli. While the young opener brought up his dazzling century, Kohli went on to register his tenth century against Sri Lanka, the most by any batter against a team in ODIs, helping India to a mammoth 390 runs. Sri Lanka, who were looking to avoid a whitewash, were ripped apart by Mohammed Siraj’s relentless opening spell. The Lankans managed a paltry 73 runs in their chase, handing India a record 317-run victory.
