Flat tracks aid high scores, and sticky wickets result in low scores. However, a high victory margin indicates a difference in the performance in the match and highlights how dominating the winning team has been. We will now have a look at the highest victory margins in ODI cricket.
1. New Zealand Vs Ireland (2008)
Batting first, New Zealand scored 402 mainly due to the opening partnership of 274. Both the openers James Marshall and Brendon McCullum notched up scores above 160. In the end, New Zealand managed to attain a colossal victory. The victory margin is the highest in ODIs to date. New Zealand won the match by 290 runs.
2. Australia Vs Afghanistan (2015)
This game was a World Cup match, and Australia was playing at their home. Australia batted first, and it was fully a Warner and Maxwell show. Warner scored 178 and Maxwell scored 88 from just 39 balls. Overall, Australia managed to score 417 and defeated Afghanistan comfortably. Australia won the match by 275 runs.
3. South Africa Vs Zimbabwe (2010)
South Africa had already won the 3-match series coming into this final match. In this match, South Africa batted first. Both JP Duminy and Ab de Villiers scored centuries and set Zimbabwe a massive target of 400. They did not reach anywhere near it. South Africa won the match by 272 runs.
4. South Africa Vs Sri Lanka (2012)
This game was the first match of a 5-match ODI series between South Africa and Sri Lanka. South Africa batted first, and they posted a decent score. However, what happened in the Sri Lankan innings was magical. No partnership lasted more than ten runs. Sri Lanka got bowled out for 43. South Africa won the match by 258 runs.
5. India Vs Bermuda (2007)
India had a disappointing ODI World Cup in 2007, losing against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka and crashing out of the tournament. However, India had a massive margin of victory in the match against Bermuda thanks to the century by Virender Sehwag and a quickfire 83 by Yuvraj Singh. India won the match by 257 runs.
6. South Africa Vs West Indies (2015)
This was the year, South Africa repeatedly defeated West Indies in ODIs on different occasions. This time around, the match was in the World Cup. AB de Villiers scored a 66-ball 162 in the game, which remains the record for the fastest ODI 150. South Africa went on to post 408 and then defeated West Indies by a considerable margin. South Africa won the match by 257 runs.
7. Australia Vs Namibia (2003)
This match was a part of the 2003 World Cup. Australia was on a red-hot streak in the World Cup. They won all the games in the World Cup and went on to win the World Cup. Namibia, when they crossed paths with Australia, faced their wrath too. Namibia got bowled out for just 45, with Glenn McGrath getting 7-15. Australia won the match by 256 runs.
8. India Vs Hong Kong (2008)
This match was a part of the 2008 Asia Cup. The difference between the strengths of the Indian team and the Hong Kong team started showing. Raina and Dhoni scored a century each, and India posted 374. The total proved too much, and Hong Kong got bowled out for a paltry score. India won the match by 256 runs.
9. Pakistan Vs Ireland (2016)
This match was the first match of a 2-match ODI series between Pakistan and Ireland. Pakistan batted first in this match. They managed to post 337 thanks to a 152 from Sharjeel Khan. However, the more impressive aspect was their bowling. They bowled out Ireland for a cheap score. What was about to be a big win, turned out to be a massive one when Pakistan took the last four wickets for just one run. Pakistan won the match by 255 runs.
10. Sri Lanka Vs India (2000)
This match was a part of a triangular series between Sri Lanka, India, and Zimbabwe. This match was the final match. Sri Lanka was in a fine run of form in the league stage, winning all four games. They magnified the intensity in the final game when Sanath Jayasuriya scored 189, and Sri Lanka put up a huge total. Even more impressive was when they bowled and skittled India for just 54. In the end, they won the triangular series. Sri Lanka won the match by 245 runs.
