3 times an Indian batsman scored more than 50% of the team total in ODIs

ODI cricket is a format of the game where a batsman has to mix caution with aggression. While a batsman can bide his time in Tests and go slam-bang from the word ‘go’ in T20s, ODIs demand a mix of both these virtues.

Cricket is a team game, but there are certain occasions when an individual might hog most of the limelight. In this article, we look at three instances where an Indian batsman scored more than 50 percent of the team’s total in ODI cricket.

Note: The list only considers instances where the Indian team got all out.

#3 MS Dhoni - vs Sri Lanka (2017)

MS Dhoni

On 10 December 2017, India took on Sri Lanka in a day-night encounter at the picturesque Dharamsala stadium. Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bowl, and right from the beginning nothing went right for the Indians.

Suranga Lakmal was the wrecker in chief as he scalped 4 wickets, giving away just 13 runs from his 10 overs.

At one stage, India were tottering at 29/7 and were in danger of getting bowled out below 50. But then MS Dhoni started his rescue act and provided some relief to the Indian camp.

The former Indian skipper scored 65, his knock comprising of 10 fours and two sixes. His knock lent some respectability to the team total and India managed to reach 112.

The next highest scorer in the Indian team was Kuldeep Yadav with 19.

The Sri Lankans romped home with 7 wickets to spare in just 20.4 overs. But if not for Dhoni’s lone effort, India would have faced further humiliation at the hands of their neighbours.

Dhoni scored 58.04% of the team total.

Match Summary: India 112/10 (MS Dhoni 65), Sri Lanka 114/3 (Upul Tharanga 49)

Also see – World Test Championship Schedule

#2 Sachin Tendulkar - vs Australia (2009)

Sachin Tendulkar

14 November 2009 witnessed one of the greatest knocks played by an Indian batsman in a losing cause in ODI cricket.

Sachin Tendulkar captivated all those who watched him that day, bewitching them into believing that the concept of time did not apply to him. The ‘Little Master’ was 36 years old, had withstood intense scrutiny for over two decades, and yet he used the bat like a magic wand, carting the Australian bowlers in a classic display of ethereal batsmanship.

Australia batted first and posted a mammoth 350 runs on the board. In reply, Tendulkar led the charge with the willow. The master batsman scored 175 off just 147 balls, smashing the likes of Doug Bollinger, Nathan Hauritz and Clint McKay to all parts of the ground.

But then, with just 19 runs required, Tendulkar fell against the run of play. After his departure, the rest of the Indian batting lineup folded like a pack of cards, and Australia snatched victory by a slender margin of three runs.

Tendulkar scored 50.43 % of the team total.

Match Summary: Australia 350/4 (Shaun Marsh 112), India 347/10 (Sachin Tendulkar 175)

#1 MS Dhoni - vs West Indies (2009)

Dhoni scored 95 runs in the team total of 188.

India took on the West Indies at Sabina Park on 28 June 2009. And the only thing that went right for the visitors was winning the toss.

India elected to bat first, and it was a disaster. Ravi Rampaul and Jerome Taylor ripped through the top order, and when Dhoni entered, India were tottering at 7/3.

The Indian skipper steadied the ship with a partnership of 47 runs with Yuvraj Singh. And after Yuvraj’s departure, Dhoni was the warrior who waged a lone battle.

He top scored for India with 95 runs, which allowed India to post a total of 188 runs on the board.

The West Indies romped home with ease courtesy a blistering opening stand of 101 runs between Chris Gayle and Runako Morton.

Dhoni scored 50.53% of the team’s total.

Match Summary: India 188/10 (Dhoni 95), West Indies 192/2 (Morton 85)