Highest individual ODI score in each of the last three decades

Batting in ODI cricket has come a long way since the early 1970s, which is when one-day internationals first came into existence. Earlier batting was all about rotating the strike and running between the wickets, but now batsmen approach their innings with an intent to score from the first ball.

This has a lot to do with the advent of T20 cricket as well, which has prompted the batters to take more risks even at the start of their innings. Batsmen these days rely on their hitting ability and back themselves to clear the ropes more often than not.

The world of cricket has witnessed more 300+ scores in the past decade than ever before. The friendly pitches in recent times have also contributed to ensuring that batters have a larger say in the game, especially in ODIs.

Also see – Bangladesh Premier League Points Table

This by no means suggests that batting isn’t an arduous task anymore. The quality of bowling often prevents batsmen from scoring with freedom. Several pacers and spinners have adapted their skills to ensure that they can get the better of batsmen even in the modern era of tall scores.

However, there have been a few instances when the individual batting performances were just too good for the bowlers to do anything. Here, we take a look at the highest individual scores in ODIs in each of the last three decades:

#3 1990s - Saeed Anwar (194 vs India in Chennai)

Saeed Anwar

Pakistan opener Saeed Anwar was one of the best of his time. The third highest ODI run-scorer for the ‘Men in Green’, Anwar was rated highly for his exploits in the ODI format. He certainly enjoyed playing against India, as he frequently brought out his best against Indian attacks.

Anwar played a historic innings in the Independence Cup match against India at Chennai in 1997. His love affair with the Indian bowling yet again came to the fore as he couldn’t stop smashing the bowlers to all parts of the ground.

Anwar scored 194 and fell six short of what would have been the first double hundred in ODI cricket. Nevertheless, he still surpassed Vivian Richards' tally of 189* scored against England at Manchester in 1984.

This was the highest individual score in ODI cricket at the time, and the record stood for 12 long years before it was equaled in the next decade.

#2 2000s - Charles Coventry (194* vs Bangladesh in Bulawayo)

Charles Coventry

In the fourth ODI of the five-match series between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, Charles Coventry created history as he equaled the record for the highest individual score in ODIs.

Trailing 1-2 in the series, it was a do-or-die encounter for the hosts if they hoped to stay alive in the series.

Zimbabwe batted first and on a wicket tailor-made for the batsman, their No. 3 got into the act and registered a spectacular unbeaten 194 to power his side to 312 in 50 overs. However, the runs weren't enough as the tourists cruised to victory with 13 balls to spare.

It was a miraculous effort from Coventry that went in vain as Bangladesh secured the series 3-1. The right-hander didn’t represent the national side for long and played only a handful of ODIs, scoring 831 runs in his entire career. However, his innings of 194* against Bangladesh was then the highest individual score in ODI cricket.

#1 2010s - Rohit Sharma (264 vs Sri Lanka in Kolkata)

Rohit Sharma

The Indian opener Rohit Sharma went berserk at the Eden Gardens against Sri Lanka in 2014. Playing an ODI after a span of nearly 10 weeks, Sharma had a point to prove to cement his spot in the playing XI.

He did extremely well as he smashed the Islanders to all parts of the ground. He brought up his second double hundred and went past his previous best of 209 against Australia scored a year earlier.

It was just raining boundaries as Sharma racked up 264 off just 173 deliveries to completely demoralize the Lankan bowlers. The knock is widely regarded as one of the finest displays of batting in ODI cricket.

Sharma bettered the previous best of Virender Sehwag (219 in Indore) to register the highest individual score in the decade (and all time). With this, he also became the first batsman to register two double hundred in the history of one-day internationals.