Highest individual ODI World Cup scores in India
India has never hosted an ODI World Cup exclusively but has been the co-host in three editions of the showpiece event. They will be hosting the 2023 ODI World Cup exclusively for the first time and in this article, we will take a look at the highest individual scores in the tournament’s rich history on Indian soil.
5) 130 – Mark Waugh vs Kenya in Visakhapatnam in 1996
The Canterbury-born played a solid knock of 130 off 128 balls against Kenya, in Visakhapatnam, in the 1996 World Cup. This was the 12th game in the competition. Australia lost Mark Taylor and Ricky Ponting early but Mark, alongside his brother Steve Waugh, resurrected the innings with a 207-run partnership. In the end, Kenya could only manage 207/7, losing by 97 runs. Mark’s innings was studded with 14 fours and a solitary six.
4) 134 – AB de Villiers vs Netherlands in Mohali in 2011
In the 16th match of the 2011 World Cup between South Africa and Netherlands in Mohali, the swashbuckling AB de Villiers showed his class as he annihilated the opposition bowlers en route to a fine century. His 134-run knock came off just 98 balls and he hit 13 fours and four sixes. The Proteas posted a mammoth 351/5 as Hashim Amla also scored a hundred. In reply, the Netherlands were bundled out for 120.
3) 137 – Sachin Tendulkar vs Sri Lanka in Delhi in 1996
Sachin was in impeccable form in the 1996 World Cup. Against eventual champions Sri Lanka, in match 24, in Delhi, the Mumbai batter opened the innings and remained unbeaten on 137 off as many balls. The classy innings comprised eight fours and five sixes. Sachin scored more than half of India’s runs as the ‘Men in Blue’ finished the first innings at 271/3 in 50 overs. Sri Lanka chased the target down with six wickets and eight balls to spare, with almost every batter chipping in with meaningful contributions.
2) 142 – Dave Houghton vs New Zealand in Hyderabad in 1987
Dave Houghton of Zimbabwe played a career-high knock of 142 off just 137 balls to almost snatch victory from the jaws of defeat against New Zealand, in Hyderabad, 1987. New Zealand finished at 242/7 in the first innings. In reply, the
Zimbabwe batters lost wickets at regular intervals. Houghton, however, managed to dig deep and play a sensational innings that contained 13 fours and six sixes. His partnership of 117 runs with Iain Butchart helped John Traicos’ side recover from a precarious position at 104/7. However, after Houghton’s dismissal, the Kiwis held their nerves to win the match by three runs.
1) 158 – Andrew Strauss vs India in Bengaluru in 2011
India were all out for 338 versus England in the 11th match of World Cup 2011 in Bengaluru. England captain Andrew Strauss played a mesmerising knock of 158 off 145 balls and hit as many as 18 fours and one six during his stay. The Indian bowlers looked clueless against the southpaw. In the end, Zaheer Khan managed to dismiss him as the match ended in a thrilling tie.
