The ICC Cricket World Cup is one of the most prestigious events in international cricket, attracting cricketing nations from around the world. It is a limited-overs format tournament, also known as One Day Internationals (ODIs), and has been held since 1975. Over the years, the World Cup has witnessed some extraordinary batting performances, with individual players achieving remarkable milestones. In this article, we will explore the highest individual scores in the history of the ODI Cricket World Cup.
Highest Individual score in ODI World Cup history
In the history of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, many great batting talents have shined with the dominating batting performances. Some of these batting performances are very rare, especially in tournament history. Let’s look at the top 3 highest individual scores in Cricket World Cup history.
1. Martin Guptill - 237* vs West Indies in 2015 World Cup
Martin Guptill's monumental innings of 237 not out stands as the highest individual score in Cricket World Cup history. This record-breaking performance came during the quarter-final of the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup, hosted by Australia and New Zealand. Guptill's remarkable knock came against the West Indies at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand.
Guptill's innings was characterized by his exceptional timing and powerful stroke play. He faced 163 balls during his stay at the crease and struck 24 boundaries, including 24 fours and 11 sixes. His innings played a crucial role in New Zealand's victory, and the team eventually reached the final of the tournament.
2. Chris Gayle - 215 vs Zimbabwe in 2015 World Cup
The "Universal Boss" Chris Gayle, a West Indian batting sensation, occupies the third position on the list of highest individual scores in World Cup history. Gayle's incredible double century, scoring 215 runs, came during the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup, when West Indies faced Zimbabwe at Manuka Oval in Canberra, Australia.
Gayle's innings was an exhibition of brutal power-hitting, as he dispatched the ball to all parts of the ground. He faced 147 balls and smashed 16 fours and 10 towering sixes. Gayle's 215 remains one of the most iconic innings in World Cup history.
3. Gary Kirsten - 188* vs UAE in 1996 World Cup
Gary Kirsten's remarkable innings of 188 runs came during a crucial group stage match against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on February 16, 1996. The match was held at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Pakistan.
During his innings, Kirsten faced 159 balls and struck 13 boundaries, including 4 fours and 1 six. His ability to rotate the strike and build partnerships with his teammates was crucial in helping South Africa post a mammoth total of 321/2 in their allotted 50 overs.
Top 10 highest individual scores in ODI World Cup history
Player (Team) | Runs scored | Opposition | Venue | Date |
Martin Guptill (New Zealand) | 237* | West Indies | Wellington | 21 March 2015 |
Chris Gayle (West Indies) | 215 | Zimbabwe | Canberra | 24 February 2015 |
Gary Kirsten (South Africa) | 188* | United Arab Emirates | Rawalpindi | 16 February 1996 |
Sourav Ganguly (India) | 183 | Sri Lanka | Taunton | 26 May 1999 |
Sir Viv Richards (West Indies) | 181 | Sri Lanka | Karachi | 13 October 1987 |
David Warner (Australia) | 178 | Afghanistan | Perth | 4 March 2015 |
Kapil Dev (India) | 175* | Zimbabwe | Tunbridge Wells | 18 June 1983 |
Virender Sehwag (India) | 175 | Bangladesh | Mirpur | 19 February 2011 |
Craig Wishart (Zimbabwe) | 172* | Namibia | Harare | 10 February 2003 |
Glenn Turner (New Zealand) | 171* | East Africa | Birmingham | 7 June 1975 |
(Updated till ICC Cricket World Cup 2019)
Top 5 Highest individual scores by right-handed batters in ODI World Cup history
Player (Team) | Runs scored | Opposition | Venue | Date |
Martin Guptill (New Zealand) | 237* | West Indies | Wellington | 21 March 2015 |
Sir Viv Richards (West Indies) | 181 | Sri Lanka | Karachi | 13 October 1987 |
Kapil Dev (India) | 175* | Zimbabwe | Tunbridge Wells | 18 June 1983 |
Virender Sehwag (India) | 175 | Bangladesh | Mirpur | 19 February 2011 |
Craig Wishart (Zimbabwe) | 172* | Namibia | Harare | 10 February 2003 |
(Updated till ICC Cricket World Cup 2019)
Top 5 Highest individual scores by left-handed batters in ODI World Cup history
Player (Team) | Runs scored | Opposition | Venue | Date |
Chris Gayle (West Indies) | 215 | Zimbabwe | Canberra | 24 February 2015 |
Gary Kirsten (South Africa) | 188* | United Arab Emirates | Rawalpindi | 16 February 1996 |
Sourav Ganguly (India) | 183 | Sri Lanka | Taunton | 26 May 1999 |
David Warner (Australia) | 178 | Afghanistan | Perth | 4 March 2015 |
David Warner (Australia) | 166 | Bangladesh | Nottingham | 20 June 2019 |
(Updated till ICC Cricket World Cup 2019)
Top 5 Highest individual scores by captains in ODI World Cup history
Player (Team) | Runs scored | Opposition | Venue | Date |
Sir Viv Richards (West Indies) | 181 | Sri Lanka | Karachi | 13 October 1987 |
Kapil Dev (India) | 175* | Zimbabwe | Tunbridge Wells | 18 June 1983 |
Glenn Turner (New Zealand) | 171* | East Africa | Birmingham | 7 June 1975 |
AB de Villiers (South Africa) | 162* | West Indies | Sydney | 27 February 2015 |
Andrew Strauss (England) | 158 | India | Bengaluru | 27 February 2011 |
(Updated till ICC Cricket World Cup 2019)
Top 5 Highest scores by wicket keepers in ODI World Cup history
Player (Team) | Runs scored | Opposition | Venue | Date |
Adam Gilchrist (Australia) | 149 | Sri Lanka | Bridgetown | 28 April 2007 |
Rahul Dravid (India) | 145 | Sri Lanka | Taunton | 26 May 1999 |
Dave Houghton (Zimbabwe) | 142 | New Zealand | Hyderabad (Deccan) | 10 October 1987 |
Brendan Taylor (Zimbabwe) | 138 | India | Auckland | 14 March 2015 |
AB de Villiers (South Africa) | 134 | Netherlands | Mohali | 3 March 2011 |
(Updated till ICC Cricket World Cup 2019)
FAQ:
Q. What is the highest individual score in World Cup history?
A. While we have experienced two double-centuries in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup history, New Zealand cricketer Martin Guptill records the highest individual score in the ODI World Cup history with 237 not out against West Indies at Wellington on 21 March 2015.
Q. What is the highest individual score by a right-hander in World Cup history?
A. New Zealand cricketer Martin Guptill records the highest individual score by a right-handed batter in the ODI World Cup history. He scored 237 not out against West Indies at Wellington on 21st March 2015.
Q. What is the highest individual score by a left-hander in World Cup history?
A. West Indies legend Chris Gayle holds the record for highest individual score by a left-handed batter in the ODI World Cup history. Against Zimbabwe at Canberra on 24 February 2015, Gayle scored 215 runs, which was also the first double-century in the Men’s Cricket World Cup history.
Q. What is the highest score by a captain in the ODI World Cup history?
A. West Indies legend Sir Viv Richards holds the highest score record by a captain in the ODI World Cup history. He scored 181 runs against Sri Lanka at Karachi on 13th October 1987.
Q. What is the highest score by a wicketkeeper in World Cup history?
A. Australian legend Adam Gilchrist holds the record for the highest score by a wicketkeeper-batter in the ODI World Cup history. The left-handed batter scored 149 runs against Sri Lanka at Bridgetown on 28 April 2007.
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