Highest Individual Scores in ODI Cricket: The Record Books
Every individual score of 150 or above in ODI cricket, the batters who set those records, and the context of the matches in which they were achieved.
Scoring 150 in a 50-over ODI innings requires a combination of boundary hitting, efficient running, and the ability to accelerate as the innings develops. The list of scores above 150 in ODIs tells the story of batting's evolution in the format — clustered in the modern era when pitches, outfields, and fielding restrictions maximise scoring opportunities.
The Record: Rohit Sharma 264 (2014)
Rohit Sharma's 264 not out for India against Sri Lanka at Eden Gardens on 13 November 2014 is the highest individual score in ODI history. Sri Lanka were without several key players, the pitch was flat, and Rohit was in the form of his life — he hit 33 fours and 9 sixes in an innings that lasted 173 balls, reaching 200 in under 150 balls. India's total was 404/5.
Martin Guptill's 237* at the 2015 World Cup
New Zealand's Martin Guptill scored 237 not out against the West Indies in the 2015 World Cup quarter-final at Wellington, briefly holding the ODI record before Rohit reclaimed it. Guptill's innings powered New Zealand to 393/6 and is one of the greatest World Cup individual innings ever played. He went from 100 to 237 in just 53 deliveries.
Virendra Sehwag's 219 Against West Indies
Virendra Sehwag scored 219 off 149 balls for India against the West Indies at Indore in December 2011, setting a then-ODI world record. Sehwag's attacking style — he scored at over 146 per 100 balls — produced a 200-plus innings in just 140 deliveries. India made 418/5 in a match that showcased the flat subcontinental pitches that enable huge individual scores.
Scores Between 150 and 200
Below the 200 mark, Chris Gayle's 183 (West Indies vs Zimbabwe, 2015 World Cup), Brendon McCullum's 166 (New Zealand vs Canada, 2003 World Cup), and Gary Kirsten's 188* (South Africa vs UAE, 1996 World Cup) stand among the most notable individual ODI innings. Each exploited weak opposition combined with personal brilliance and favourable conditions.
Frequently asked questions
Who has scored the most 150-plus scores in ODI cricket?
Rohit Sharma holds the record for most 150-plus scores in ODI cricket with at least five innings above 150, including three above 200. Sachin Tendulkar scored only one 150-plus ODI innings despite holding the career runs record, illustrating that longevity and consistency rather than single giant innings drove his totals.
Has any woman cricketer scored 200 in an ODI?
Yes. Belinda Clark of Australia scored 229 not out against Denmark at the 1997 Women's World Cup — a record that stood for over 20 years in women's cricket. However, this was against a very weak opposition. Among matches between top women's teams, scores above 140 remain remarkable.