5 ODIs where teams lost despite both their openers scoring centuries
Scoring centuries does not come easy for the batters and there is nothing better than a century coming in a winning cause. Meanwhile, one of the rare instances in ODIs have been both openers scoring centuries and despite that, the team going on to lose the match. Let’s look at 5 instances in ODIs when both openers of a team managed to hit centuries but ended up on the losing side.
Pakistan vs India on March 18, 2012 at Mirpur in Asia Cup
This game has been remembered for one of the epic knocks by an Indian batter, Virat Kohli and he proved to the world why he is rated as one of the best in the business while chasing. In the 2012 Asia cup, India managed to chase down a massive target of 330 with 2.1 overs to spare, thanks to Kohli’s brilliant 183. Pakistan had put on a partnership of 224 for the first wicket while starting their innings and both the openers, Nasir Jamshed and Mohammad Hafeez reached their centuries as well.
Scotland vs Canada on July 7, 2009 at Aberdeen
In 2009, Canada toured Scotland for an ODI series and in the first game at Aberdeen, the Scotland side posted 286/4 with the help of centuries from their openers. Skipper Gavin Hamilton scored 119(152) while his opening partner Fraser Watts scored 101 but the total proved to be not enough as the Canada side chased down the score with eight balls and six wickets remaining.
South Africa vs India on October 5, 2001 at Johannesburg
In the triangular series, India met South Africa in the first game and suffered a painful loss despite putting up a formidable total on board. Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly opened the innings and both scored centuries to set up for a big total of 287. However, Gary Kirsten’s unbeaten 133 took the Proteas over the line comfortably with 10 balls to spare and six wickets in hand.
India vs South Africa on March 9, 2000 at Kochi
In the first ODI of South Africa’s tour to India, an unbelievable chase took place leaving the visitors in complete disarray. Gary Kirsten and Herschelle Gibbs put on a partnership of 235 for the first wicket and both the batters hit centuries as well. However, with the help of Ajay Jadeja’s 92 and Robin Singh’s unbeaten 42, India chased down the score with two balls to spare.
India vs Australia on September 7, 1986 at Jaipur
In the first ODI of the Indian tour, Australia put up a partnership of 218 for the first wicket, with openers Geoff Marsh and David Boon, both scoring brilliant centuries. However, a fantastic innings of 102 in just 104 balls from Kris Srikkanth stole the show as India chased down the score of 250 in a very quick time with seven wickets in hand.
