Throughout the first several decades of ODI cricket, 300 was a winning target. As the game went on, the scores fluctuated. The most effective ODI run chases will be covered in this article. Three of the ten pursuits have been won by India and England, two by South Africa at the top of the list, and one each by Australia and New Zealand at the bottom. With one each against the West Indies, Pakistan, England, India, and New Zealand, five of the ten chases listed below have been against Australia. One of these cases achieved a target of more than 430 when South Africa defied the odds to complete the most incredible successful run chase, with scores often falling between 350 and 372. Let's start with the exciting match between Australia and South Africa.
1. Australia Vs South Africa – 438
One of the finest ODI matches in history was played in Johannesburg in March 2006 between Australia and South Africa. In their opening innings, Australia scored 434-6, with captain Ricky Ponting scoring 164 runs off just 105 balls. Few would have foreseen South Africa's ability to pursue such an important goal, but they did. Herschelle Gibbs' 111-ball 175 and captain Graeme Smith's 55-ball 90 assisted the home team's pursuit with one wicket, and one ball left. The highest second innings total ever scored by the side in the format is still their 438/9 score.
2. South Africa Vs Australia – 372
With a successful 372-run chase against Australia in Durban in October 2016, South Africa is also second on the list of the most extensive ODI run chases. After electing to bat first and scoring 371 runs for the loss of six wickets, Australia was led by centuries from David Warner (117 off 107 deliveries) and Steve Smith (100 off 100 deliveries) (108 off 107 deliveries). Amla and De Kock helped South Africa get off to a quick start, but it appeared unlikely they would win when they were 179 for 4 in the 24th over. However, the hosts, who scored 118 runs off just 79 deliveries, were victorious because of David Miller's quickfire unbroken century.
3. England Vs West Indies – 364 Runs
In the opening ODI of England's 2019 tour of the West Indies, the home team scored 360 runs. Shai Hope's 64, Darren Bravo's 40, and Chris Gayle's 135 all contributed to the Windies scoring more than 300 runs. Gayle scored a century in his debut match after a six-month exile, smashing 12 sixes. However, centuries from Joe Root and Jason Roy helped England defeat the West Indies by six wickets. In ODI history, this is still the third-highest chase.
4. India Vs Australia – 362
India is placed fourth on the list of highest run chases after defeating Australia in Jaipur in October 2013. The Indians chased a total of 360 and achieved 362 with about seven overs left, losing just one wicket. Five half-centuries helped the Australians reach 359 for 5 in the first innings. In 50 deliveries, series captain George Bailey hit an unbroken 92, including five sixes and eight fours. In response, India's opening pair of Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Shawan raised the score to 176 in the 27th over. After that, Kohli scored a quick century in 52 balls to go with Rohit Sharma's 142, named Man of the Match.
5. India Vs Australia – 359 Runs
Australia's fourth ODI of their 2019 tour of India saw them complete their most extensive run chase in ODIs (359 runs). After winning the toss, India opted to bat first, scoring 358 runs in Mohali. The two openers, Rohit Sharma (92-ball 95) and Shikhar Dhawan (115-ball 143), combined for most of the runs, with Rishabh Pant contributing a 24-ball 36. David Warner was bowled by Bhuvneshwar Kumar for a golden duck, giving Australia a problematic start. However, Australia won by four wickets with 13 balls left thanks to Peter Handscomb's century, which was supported by Usman Khawaja's 91 and Ashton Turner's 84.
6. England Vs Pakistan – 359
As for the best ODI run chases, England's victory against Pakistan in Bristol in May 2019 is sixth. With six wickets and 31 balls left, England overcame a 359-run target. Imam-ul-151 Haq's 131 deliveries helped Pakistan score 358 for 9 in their allotted 50 overs during their first innings of batting. Asif Ali and Harris Sohail both made contributions in the middle order. Because of the opening partnership between Jason Roy and Johnny Bairstow, England's chase of the big mark took off early, reaching 159 runs in only 17.3 overs. On 93 attempts, Bairstow scored 128 points. Later, captain Eoin Morgan and Moeen Ali successfully finished the pursuit.
7. India Vs England – 356 Runs
In 2017, England played a three-match One-Day International series in India. The opener was a run extravaganza in Pune. When England batted first, they scored 350 runs. Joe Root scored the most runs (78), and the team's first-stringer Jason Roy contributed 73 runs. However, Virat Kohli and Kedar Jadhav's hundreds helped India win by three wickets and take a 1-0 series lead. Eight fours and five sixes were part of Kohli's 105-ball 122, while Jadhav hit 120 off 76 balls. India's 356 versus England was their second-highest ODI score.
8. India Vs Australia – 351
On the list of the best ODI chases, another outstanding Indian effort against Australia in Nagpur in October 2013 is placed eighth. India successfully chased down 351 with six wickets and three balls remaining. Shane Watson's 102 off 94 deliveries and George Bailey's centuries helped Australia reach 350 runs in their opening innings of play (156 off 114 deliveries). Virat Kohli, who was in charge of the chase, finished with 115 off 66 pitches, and Shikhar Dhawan responded with centuries. Man of the Match was awarded to Kohli.
9. New Zealand Vs Australia – 350 Runs
In February 2007, Australia and New Zealand played their third One-Day International (ODI), which was decided on the last ball. Australia scored 346 runs because of Shane Watson's 50-run innings and Matthew Hayden's 181-run innings. With the help of Craig McMillan's 96-ball 117 and Brendon McCullum's 86, the Kiwis successfully chased the target with three balls remaining. There were 13 fours and five sixes in McMillan's inning.
10. England Vs New Zealand – 350 Runs
A masterpiece from Eoin Morgan helped England defeat New Zealand by seven wickets in the fourth one-day international of their 2015 tour of England. In their opening inning, the Kiwis scored 349 runs. The club passed the 300-run threshold to Kane Williamson's 70-ball 90 and half-centuries from Martin Guptill and Grant Elliott. On the other hand, the middle order of England started strong and took 44 overs to get the goal. Joe Root, Eoin Morgan, and Alex Hales scored centuries, followed by a century from Joe Root.
