India and Pakistan are two of the top Asian cricketing nations. The rivalry between the two nations in the sport needs no introduction. There is always excitement and drama when the two sides collide against each other. The nations have produced some great players, including Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Wasim Akram, Shahid Afridi, and many more. All such players have contributed immensely to the sport and their respective nations. The high-stake clashes between the two teams make the sport even more interesting. Pakistan is yet to win a match against India in the ODI World Cup. The atmosphere around the ground during an India-Pakistan match is something to witness. This article is about the top 10 highest scores by India in the ODIs against their arch-rivals.
1. 356/9
This is India’s highest score against Pakistan in the ODIs. Pakistan toured India in 2005 and played the second ODI in Visakhapatnam on the 5th of April. India won the toss on a good batting surface and decided to bat first. Virender Sehwag scored a blistering 74 runs in just 40 balls, including 12 fours and two sixes. The number 3 batter, MS Dhoni, played a great knock of 148 off just 123 deliveries, including 15 fours and four 6s. Then it was Rahul Dravid in the middle order, who scored 52 runs off 59 deliveries, including three boundaries. Small contributions by the lower order helped India to go to 356.
2. 356/2
India scored 356 once again against their arch-rivals in Colombo. On the 10th of September 2023, Babar Azam asked India to bat first in the league match of the Asia Cup. The Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill scored 56 and 58, respectively, and set the tone for a big score for India. In came Virat Kohli, who remained not out on 122 at the end of the innings alongside KL Rahul, who scored 111* and both guided India to a strong total of 356. In reply, Pakistan could only manage 128 as Kuldeep Yadav took a brilliant fifer and demolished the Pakistan batting lineup.
3. 349/7
On the 13th of March 2004, India played the first ODI of their tour of Pakistan in Karachi. Inzamam-ul-Haq won the toss and asked the Indians to bat first on a good batting surface. Virender Sehwag scored 79 off 57 balls. Skipper Sourav Ganguly played a fine knock of 45, including three 4s and two 6s. Rahul Dravid was the highest scorer for India but unfortunately fell one shot from a great 100. In the end. Mohammad Kaif played a 46-run knock to guide India to a good total of 349. It was a tight game but, the visitors won by five runs.
4. 336/5
Another great total by India against Pakistan. This was a special one as it was a World Cup game. On the 16th of June 2019, Pakistan elected to field first in Manchester. Openers KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma stitched a 136-run partnership before the former fell on 57. Rohit Sharma continued and played a great innings of 140, who was well supported by Virat Kohli, the captain, who scored 77 of the 65 deliveries. Hardik Pandya played a cameo of 26 run alongside Vijay Shankar, who scored 15 in the end to take India to 336 /5. It was a rain-interrupted game, and Pakistan lost by 89 runs.
5. 330/4
It was once again an Asia Cup encounter between the top two sides of the continent in Mirpur. Pakistan elected to bat first and gave India a target of 330. Sachin Tendulkar played a composed knock of 52 off just 48 deliveries. It was a young boy from Delhi, who bailed out India from a tough situation. Virat Kohli scored his highest ODI score against the arch-rivals, Pakistan. He scored 183 off 148 deliveries, including 22 fours and a six. He was accompanied by Rohit Sharma, who scored 68 of 83 deliveries, including five 4s and a six. In the end, Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni won the game for India.
6. 328/10
On the 6th of February 2006, India played the first ODI of their away tour of Pakistan. The hosts bowled first after winning the toss. Sachin Tendulkar scored a great 100 off 113 balls, followed by Irfan Pathan and MS Dhoni, who scored 65 and 68, respectively. Crucial knocks from Yuvraj Singh (39 off 28) and skipper Rahul Dravid (18 off 14) took India to 328.
7. 321/9
On the 8th of November 2007, Pakistan played the second ODI of their tour to India. The Indians batted first and scored 321 runs. Sachin Tendulkar fell one short of a masterful century. Gautam Gambhir made a brilliant half-century, scoring 57 off 68 balls. Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh scored 25 and 34, respectively to take India’s total to 321. Pakistan chased the target with one ball remaining.
8. 319/3
The Champions Trophy clash on the 4th of June 2017 was played between India and Pakistan in Birmingham. Pakistan won the toss and opted to bowl first. Opener Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan scored 91 and 68, respectively, including a 136-run partnership. Skipper Virat Kohli was unbeaten at 81, followed by Yuvraj Singh, who scored a fine half-century (53 off 32). Hardik Pandya’s contribution of 20* off ^ balls powered India to 319.
9. 317/10
On the 16th of March 2004, the Indians were given a target of 330. The hosts batted brilliantly and gave India a tricky target to chase. In reply, Sachin Tendulkar’s 141 off 135 balls went in vain as Pakistan claimed the victory by 12 runs. Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid also contributed with 26 and 36, respectively.
10. 316/7
It was the third final of the Silver Jubilee Independence Cup in 1998. India was given a target of 315 by Pakistan at Dhaka. Sourav Ganguly’s brilliant innings of 124 off 138 balls, followed by Robin Singh’s knock of 82 off 83 balls helped India win the match. Sourav Ganguly was the MOTM as well as the Man of the Series.
