ODI Cricket Format Explained
What is a One Day International? Learn the rules, structure, powerplays, and history of the 50-over format that hosts the Cricket World Cup.
A One Day International (ODI) is a limited-overs cricket match between two national teams, each side batting for a maximum of 50 overs. ODIs have been played since 1971 and are the format used for the ICC Cricket World Cup — the most watched cricket event on the planet.
Structure of an ODI
- Each team bats once for a maximum of 50 overs (300 balls).
- The team scoring more runs wins. If both scores are equal, it is a tie.
- Matches are played in a single day (typically 7–8 hours including a break).
- Matches may be shortened by rain with scores adjusted using the DLS method.
Powerplay Overs
ODIs use a three-stage powerplay system to regulate fielding restrictions:
- Powerplay 1 (overs 1–10): Mandatory. Only 2 fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle.
- Powerplay 2 (overs 11–40): Standard play. Maximum 4 fielders outside the circle.
- Powerplay 3 (overs 41–50): Death overs. Maximum 5 fielders outside the circle.
History of ODI Cricket
The first ODI was played between Australia and England at the MCG in January 1971 — originally scheduled as a Test match that was washed out. The match was improvised as a 40-over contest. The format proved so popular that the first ICC Cricket World Cup was held in England in 1975. West Indies won back-to-back World Cups in 1975 and 1979.
Highest ODI Scores
England scored 498/4 vs Netherlands in 2022 — the highest ODI total ever. Martin Guptill (237* vs West Indies, 2015 World Cup) holds the individual record. Rohit Sharma has the most ODI centuries (31 as of 2026) and holds the record for the most centuries in a single ODI World Cup (5 in 2015).
ODI vs T20 vs Test
ODIs sit between T20s (20 overs) and Tests (up to 5 days) in intensity and duration. They allow enough overs for genuine match-winning partnerships, skill accumulation, and strategy to develop, while remaining compact enough to fit into a single day. Many fans consider ODIs the purest form of limited-overs cricket because neither team can afford to fully attack or fully defend for long.
Frequently asked questions
How many overs does each team bat in an ODI?
Each team bats for a maximum of 50 overs (300 legal deliveries) per innings. If the batting side is all out before 50 overs, the innings ends. No-balls and wides result in extra deliveries being bowled.
What happens if an ODI is interrupted by rain?
The DLS (Duckworth-Lewis-Stern) method recalculates a revised target based on overs lost. A match must complete a minimum of 20 overs per side to have a result. If the minimum is not reached, the match is either abandoned (no result) or declared a tie if it was already close.
Who has won the most ODI World Cups?
Australia has won the Men's ODI World Cup six times (1987, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2015, 2023). Australia Women have won the Women's ODI World Cup seven times (1978, 1982, 1988, 1997, 2005, 2013, 2022), making them the most successful women's team in the format's history. India won their maiden Women's ODI WC in 2025 (beat South Africa in Navi Mumbai).