This fact is unhidden that the ODI cricket has been losing its charm among the fans in the last few years. We saw a less number of ODI matches in the last few years as compared to the Tests and the T20Is. However, there was a time when the ODI format used to dominate international cricket and fans spent all day watching their team in action.
Throughout the years, there have been several thrilling matches that have added more spice to the excitement of the ODI cricket. From the famous high-scoring clash between South Africa and Australia in Johannesburg to the iconic 2019 World Cup final between New Zealand and South Africa at Lords, ODI cricket proved itself to be among the best format of cricket over the years. In the following listicle, we will have a look at the top most thrilling matches in the history of ODI cricket.
India vs Sri Lanka, Rajkot, 2009
Tillakaratne Dilshan almost pulled off the biggest chase against India in ODI cricket in Rajkot on December 15, 2009. Coming to bat first, India went on to post their highest ODI total at that time as they ended up posting 414/7 in their 50 overs. Opening batter Virender Sehwag shone with a knock of 146 runs from 102 balls hitting 17 fours and six sixes. Sachin Tendulkar (69 off 63) and skipper MS Dhoni (72 off 53) also scored crucial knocks as India crossed the 400-run mark.
Chasing the winning target, Sri Lanka got a start as Tillakaratne Dilshan and Upul Tharanga added 188 runs for the first wicket. Tharanga scored 67(60) runs while Dilshan scored 160 runs off 124 balls. Skipper Kumar Sangakkara also scored quickfire 90(43) as Sri Lanka were getting hopes of achieving a historic run chase. The match went to the last over with Sri Lanka needing 11 runs to win. After that, Ashish Nehra didn’t let the Sri Lankan batters to hit a big shot in those crucial six balls as the visitors fell short off just three runs from India’s total.
New Zealand vs West Indies, Old Trafford, 2019 ODI World Cup
Carlos Brathwaite single-handedly fought for West Indies till the end as New Zealand clinched a thrilling five-run victory in the ODI World Cup clash at Old Trafford Cricket Ground on June 22, 2019. The Windies were on the verge of getting knocked out from the semi-final race and it was also a crucial contest for the Kiwis as well. With the help of Kane Williamson’s 148-run knock, New Zealand posted 291/8 in their 20 overs.
Chasing the winning target, West Indies kept losing wickets at regular intervals but Carlos Brathwaite took the innings further from the other end. The right-handed batsman single-handedly took West Indies near the winning line with his knock of 101 runs from 82 balls with regular wickets falling from the other end. Now, when six runs were needed from the last seven balls, Brathwaite attempted a big hit against James Neesham and the ball went high in the air. However, it was Trent Boult who was standing near the boundary line and did no mistake in completing a most important catch as New Zealand claimed a thrilling win. Brathwaite was down with disbelief as all his efforts went in vain in the end.
New Zealand vs Australia, Auckland, 2015 ODI World Cup
Mitchell Starc was about to do the unbelievable for Australia but Kane Williamson held his nerves till the end and guided New Zealand victory in the 2015 Cricket World Cup fixture in Auckland on February 28. After bowling Australia out for 151 runs, New Zealand were heading towards a comfortable win as skipper Brendon McCullam smashed a fifty off just 21 balls. However, after his dismissal, an easy target of 152 looked like a difficult task as Mitchell Starc took charge.
The fast bowler destroyed New Zealand’s middle-order and registered fighting figures of 6/28. From 131/4,, New Zealand were now reduced to 146/9. Now, the Kiwis needed six runs to win with just one wicket in hand when Pat Cummins came to bowl the 24th over. Australia were noe getting a smell of a famous win as Mitchell Starc almost turned the match around with his fiery spell. However, Kane Williamson held his nerves and smashed a six against Cummins as New Zealand didn’t let the Aussies have the winning laugh despite Starc’s efforts. New Zealand won the match by one wicket.
South Africa vs Australia, Johannesburg, 2006
An all-time ODI classic between South Africa and Australia where the Proteas stunned the dominant Australian side in Johannesburg on March 12, 2006. For the first time in the history of ODI cricket, the 400-run mark was breach as Australia posted a mammoth 434/4 in their 50 overs. Skipper Ricky Ponting scored 164(105) runs while Simon Katich (79 off 90) and Michael Hussey (81 off 51) also contributed.
Chasing a huge target, skipper Graeme Smith scored 90(55) runs while Herschelle Gibbs played a knock of 175 runs off 111 balls as South Africa were heading towards a historic chase. The hosts lost nine wickets and the match down to the last over. After that, Mark Boucher smashed a boundary on the penultimate ball of the innings as South Africa shattered several records and ended up recording the highest successful run chase in ODI history.
New Zealand vs South Africa, Auckland, 2015 World Cup semi-final
New Zealand registered a thrilling victory in the semi-final in Auckland as South Africa’s dream to win a World Cup was shattered again. South Africa posted 281/5 in their 43 overs before the rain played spoilsport. Now, New Zealand required 298 runs from 43 overs as per the DLS method. With regular scoring and fall of the wickets, the match was heading towards a thrilling finish. However, South Africa missed several chances with their misfielding as New Zealand got many lifelines.
The match went down to the last over with New Zealand requiring 12 runs to win. The Proteas went ahead with their star Dale Steyn and now the equation reached their with five runs needed from the last two balls. After that, Grant Elliott held his nerves and smash a massive six as New Zealand clinched a thrilling victory to reach their first-ever World Cup final. The South African players were left in tears after a heart-breaking defeat.
Australia vs South Africa, Birmingham, 1999 World Cup semi-final
Australia ended up getting into the World Cup final despite a tied match against South Africa in the semi-final in Birmingham on June 17, 1999. In reply to Australia’s 213/10, South Africa also kept losing wickets at regular intervals with Jacques Kallis hitting 53 runs off 92 balls. The match went down to the last over where South Africa needed nine runs to win with just one wicket in hand.
After that, Lance Klusener smashed two boundaries on the first two balls of the over against Damien Fleming. On the fourth ball of the innings, Klusener attempted to take with Allan Donald at the non-striker’s end. However, Donald failed to reach the crease on time but failed as Australia ended up getting into the final despite a tied game to the better net run rate than South Africa in the super six stages.
England vs New Zealand, London, 2019 World Cup final
An all-time classic ODI and one of the controversial cricket games took place in the final of an ODI World Cup between England and New Zealand at the iconic Lords Cricket Ground in London on July 14, 2019. With two teams looking for their first-ever ODI World Cup title, the fans couldn’t get the result despite the end of full 100 overs as both the teams ended up getting a same total in their respective 50 overs.
The match was followed by the first-ever super over in the history of the World Cup. In the super over, England posted 15 runs in their six balls. After that, New Zealand also ended up getting 15 runs in their six balls as England ended up winning their first-ever ODI World Cup in a most thrilling manner. England were declared winners on boundary count as both the teams ended up getting a same total in the match as well as in the super over.
