Cricket’s Scoring Feats That Shattered Records
Walk into any cricket-loving circle and one stat can spark endless debate — who holds the record for the highest individual ODI innings? While several legends have sculpted memorable knocks on the field, a few have carved their names with innings that genuinely defy belief. Let’s be honest, some of these scores almost feel, well… fictional.
The Magic Number: Rohit Sharma’s Unmatched 264
On November 13, 2014, Eden Gardens in Kolkata witnessed something surreal. Rohit Sharma, already considered one of the sport’s most elegant stroke-makers, unleashed a relentless storm against Sri Lanka. He scored 264 runs off 173 deliveries, which remains the highest individual score in One Day Internationals to date.
That innings featured 33 boundaries and 9 sixes. He reached 50 in 72 balls, and then… he just took off. His second 100 came in 73 balls, third in only 15. Perhaps it’s best told through numbers:
- 264 runs — the highest ODI score ever
- 33 fours — most boundaries in a single ODI innings
- 9 sixes — the cherry on top
“I never planned for 264, I just kept batting. Once I crossed 150, I thought something big could happen,” Sharma said after the match.
Top 10 Highest Individual ODI Scores
If you’ve ever found yourself lost in cricket stats (the fun kind of lost), this table will be your jam. Here’s a quick look at the top 10 record-breaking knocks:
| Player | Score | Opponent | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RG Sharma (India) | 264 | Sri Lanka | Kolkata | 13 Nov 2014 |
| MJ Guptill (New Zealand) | 237* | West Indies | Wellington | 21 Mar 2015 |
| V Sehwag (India) | 219 | West Indies | Indore | 8 Dec 2011 |
| CH Gayle (West Indies) | 215 | Zimbabwe | Canberra | 24 Feb 2015 |
| Fakhar Zaman (Pakistan) | 210* | Zimbabwe | Bulawayo | 20 Jul 2018 |
| RG Sharma (India) | 209 | Australia | Bangalore | 2 Nov 2013 |
| RG Sharma (India) | 208* | Sri Lanka | Mohali | 13 Dec 2017 |
| SR Tendulkar (India) | 200* | South Africa | Gwalior | 24 Feb 2010 |
| CK Coventry (Zimbabwe) | 194* | Bangladesh | Bulawayo | 16 Aug 2009 |
| Saeed Anwar (Pakistan) | 194 | India | Chennai | 21 May 1997 |
The Unbeatable Rohit Sharma Hat-Trick
What makes Rohit Sharma stand apart is not just the 264 at Eden Gardens. He has three double centuries in ODIs – and that alone puts him in a class with exactly zero others. The 209 against Australia and 208* against Sri Lanka are near absurd in talent, patience, and timing. Others may flirt with history, but Sharma tends to repeat it.
Community Reactions: Awe Mixed with Disbelief
These knocks reverberated far beyond stadium walls. Fans flooded social media with praise, memes, and long threads breaking down each cover drive or towering pull. Cricket forums were lit up (and still are) with dissection of these innings, often comparing eras, pitch conditions, and of course – bowling quality.
Old-schoolers argue that Saeed Anwar’s 194 in 1997, achieved in slightly more hostile playing conditions, remains even more impressive. Meanwhile, newer fans rally behind Martin Guptill’s 237* in a World Cup quarterfinal, a knock soaked in pressure and gravitas.
What’s Next? Could Someone Cross 265?
It seems inevitable. Bats keep getting better. Outfields are quicker. Bowlers—many of them good—are under relentless pressure. There’s a growing sense that someone, someday, might push past Rohit Sharma’s iconic 264. The question is, who?
The game has already seen a couple of promising attempts. Fakhar Zaman’s 210* was against a lesser bowling attack, sure, but it came during a phase of complete form and rhythm. Guptill’s 237* in a high-stakes World Cup match? That was something else entirely.
Who feels likely? Players like Shubman Gill, Babar Azam, or maybe Travis Head, if the stars align. But high scores like these demand more than good form. They need patience, audacity — and the belief that a boundary isn’t just a scoring option but a signature move.
Final Thoughts
Runs in cricket aren’t just numbers. They’re milestones, memories worth framing. When someone scores 250 in a single innings, it’s not merely dominance—it’s a kind of surreal commitment to every ball, every shot. Rohit’s 264 is still the Everest, but plenty are climbing—and fast. Maybe it’s tomorrow. Maybe it’s 10 years away. But someone, somewhere, has that innings in them. Let’s wait… and watch.
