A lot of centuries, in ODI cricket, end up becoming a match-winning innings. But at times, due to the century being a lone fighting cause, or the opponents batting better, they end up insufficient. We will now have a look at the highest individual scores in losing cause in ODIs.
10. Chris Gayle (2019)
This game was the fourth ODI in the West Indies tour of England. England batted first and posted 418. In the face of such a massive target, and the final stages of his career, Chris Gayle produced a magnificent fightback knock. He opened the batting, and put up a 160+ score. West Indies could manage 389, and they lost by 29 runs. Chris Gayle scored 162 runs in this match.
9. Ricky Ponting (2006)
Australia batted first in this series decider against South Africa. Ricky Ponting scored over 160, and Australia scored 434. This was the highest team score in ODIs, by any team. However, what followed was even more magical, as South Africa chased the target with one ball and one wicket to spare, breaking the record immediately. Ricky Ponting scored 164 runs in this match.
8. Robin Smith (1993)
England hosted Australia for an ODI series, and lost the first match, with England trailing 0-1. In the second match, they batted first, with Robin Smith’s century ensuring they post 277. It proved insufficient, as Mark Waugh and Allan Border scored high, and they chased down the total. Robin Smith scored 167 not out in this match.
7. Rohit Sharma (2016)
Rohit Sharma has a knack for putting up massive scores in ODIs. This was one such case. India batted first against Australia, and they scored 309, due to Rohit’s massive hundred. However, it was chased down successfully by Australia. Rohit Sharma scored 171 not out in this match.
6. David Warner (2016)
Australia toured South Africa for a five-match ODI series. Australia lost the first four games. In the final match, Australia bowled first and conceded 327. Chasing 328, David Warner stood at one end, and was amassing runs. However, he received almost no support, as wickets tumbled at the other end, and Australia got all out for 296, and got whitewashed. David Warner scored 173 runs in this match.
5. Sachin Tendulkar (2009)
Sachin Tendulkar playing a lone fighting man, with the entire team failing him, used to be a common feature during his career. This was another such instance. Chasing a target of 351 against Australia, Sachin put up over 170. However, the lower-order wickets tumbled, and India lost the match by three runs. Sachin Tendulkar scored 175 runs in this match.
4. Evin Lewis (2017)
This game was affected by rain, in the second innings. West Indies batted first against England, and they scored 356, due to Evin Lewis’ massive hundred. However, it was chased down successfully by England. Evin Lewis scored 171 not out in this match.
3. Matthew Hayden (2007)
This game was a pretty high scoring one. Australia batted first. Hayden opened the batting, and scored more than 180, ensuring Australia post 346. New Zealand, during their chase, were left reeling at 116-5, when a 165-run partnership between Craig McMillan and Brendon McCullum, put New Zealand in a comfortable position, after which, they eventually won the match by one wicket. Matthew Hayden scored 181 not out in this match.
2. Fakhar Zaman (2021)
Pakistan faced South Africa in this match. South Africa batted first and scored 341. Chasing 342, Pakistan struggled despite Fakhar Zaman piling up runs. In the final over, Pakistan needed 30 runs to win, and Pakistan’s defeat was almost inevitable. However, he was getting close to a potential second double hundred in ODIs. The dream came crashing down, when Zaman got run out controversially, in the first ball of the over. Pakistan lost the match by 17 runs. Fakhar Zaman scored 193 runs in this match.
1. Charles Coventry (2009)
Zimbabwe batted first in this match against Bangladesh. Charles Coventry played the lone hand, guiding Zimbabwe to 312. Neither could he reach his double hundred, nor did his knock ensure a Zimbabwean victory, as Bangladesh chased the target down. Charles Coventry scored 194 in this match.
