India’s highest totals against Pakistan in ODIs
The Indian cricket team has produced some phenomenal batters over the years. The ‘Men in Blue’ have managed to register some humongous totals against their arch-rivals Pakistan in ODI cricket. In this article, we will take a look at the top three totals posted by India against Pakistan in ODI cricket.
1) 356/9 in Visakhapatnam in 2005, 356/2 in Colombo (RPS) in 2023
The legendary MS Dhoni had announced himself on the international scene with a blistering 148-run knock against Pakistan in the second ODI in Visakhapatnam on April 5, 2005. Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid also scored half-centuries as India posted a daunting total of 356/9 against Pakistan. Inzamam-ul-Haq’s men gave a good account of themselves in the chase but Pakistan were eventually bundled out for 298 inside 45 overs.
India equalled their highest score in ODI cricket against Pakistan on September 11, 2023, in an Asia Cup encounter, as their top four batters showed their class. Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma scored aggressive half-centuries to set the platform before Virat Kohli and KL Rahul notched up unbeaten centuries to dominate the threatening Pakistan bowling. The Indian bowlers complemented their batters and helped their team win by a massive 228 runs.
2) 349/7 in Karachi in 2004
This is one of the finest ODI matches of all time. Virender Sehwag got India off to a flying start with a 57-ball 79 before Rahul Dravid played a fluent knock of 99 in 104 balls in the first ODI of a five-match series in Karachi. Sourav Ganguly and Mohammad Kaif also chipped in with 45 and 46, respectively to keep the momentum going throughout the innings. Inzamam-ul-Haq played a phenomenal knock of 122 in 102 balls while Mohammad Yousuf also registered a half-century but India held their nerves in the end to eke out a five-run win.
3) 336/5 in Manchester in 2019
India and Pakistan locked horns in a 2019 ODI World Cup fixture in Manchester. Rohit Sharma played a scintillating knock of 140 off 113 balls while fellow opener KL Rahul also contributed with a sedate half-century. Virat Kohli cashed in on the fine platform set by the openers and scored a 65-ball 77 to take India to 336/5 in their 50 overs. In reply, Pakistan could only manage 212/6 in 40 overs in the rain-curtailed encounter to lose by 89 runs via the DLS method.