The highest individual score in the ICC ODI World Cup is 237* from 163 balls by Martin Guptill which he made against West Indies in the 2015 World Cup.
This record is more than simply a collection of runs; it’s a story of talent, determination, and the constant commitment to excellence on the biggest stage in the world of cricket.
In this article we’ll go into the archives of cricket history to find out who owns the record for the highest individual score in the ICC ODI World Cup and relive the incredible moments that secured their names in cricketing glory.
Table of Contents
Highest individual scores in world cup
Let’s have a look at the top 4 batsmen with the highest individual score in the World Cup below
1. Martin Guptill
The highest individual score in the ICC ODI World Cup is held by New Zealand’s Martin Guptill. In 2015, Guptill scored an unbeaten 237* runs against the West Indies. Guptill’s knock was a masterclass in batting, and he was able to pace his innings perfectly. He hit 11 sixes and 24 fours in his innings, and his strike rate of 145.39 was simply phenomenal.
2. Chris Gayle
The second highest individual score in the ICC ODI World Cup is held by Chris Gayle of the West Indies. In the 2015 WC, Gayle scored 215 runs against Zimbabwe. Gayle’s knock was even more destructive than Guptill’s, as he hit 16 sixes and 10 fours in his innings. Gayle’s strike rate of 146.25 was the fastest for any batsman to score a double century in the World Cup.
3. Gary Kirsten
Although Gary Kirsten is today regarded as a good cricket coach, in the 1990s, he was a menace. In the 1996 World Cup, the South African hitter destroyed UAE, scoring an unconquerable 188-run knock in 159 balls. In his inning, Kirsten hit 13 fours and four sixes, which helped South Africa win over UAE by 169 runs
4. Sourav Ganguly
In the 1999 Cricket World Cup, Sourav Ganguly scored 183 runs against Sri Lanka and demonstrated a masterclass in aggressive batting. Ganguly played superbly and powerfully to start the innings, blasting boundaries all over the pitch. He smashed 17 fours and 7 sixes. His partnership with Rahul Dravid was crucial to India’s triumph and showcased his capacity to outclass even the finest bowling units.
Highest scores in ODI World Cup
Here are top 20 highest scores in the ICC ODI World Cup:
Rank | Player | Runs | Balls Faced | Opposition | Match Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Martin Guptill (NZ) | 237* | 163 | West Indies | 21-Mar-15 |
2 | Chris Gayle (WI) | 215 | 147 | Zimbabwe | 24-Feb-15 |
3 | Gary Kirsten (SA) | 188* | 159 | U.A.E. | 16-Feb-96 |
4 | Sourav Ganguly (IND) | 183 | 158 | Sri Lanka | 26-May-99 |
5 | Viv Richards (WI) | 181 | 125 | Sri Lanka | 13-Oct-87 |
6 | David Warner (AUS) | 178 | 133 | Afghanistan | 04-Mar-15 |
7 | Kapil Dev (IND) | 175* | 138 | Zimbabwe | 18-Jun-83 |
8 | Virender Sehwag (IND) | 175 | 140 | Bangladesh | 19-Feb-11 |
9 | Craig Wishart (ZIM) | 172* | 151 | Namibia | 10-Feb-03 |
10 | Glenn Turner (NZ) | 171* | 201 | East Africa | 07-Jun-75 |
11 | David Warner (AUS) | 166 | 147 | Bangladesh | 20-Jun-19 |
12 | AB de Villiers (SA) | 162* | 66 | West Indies | 27-Feb-15 |
13 | Tillakaratne Dilshan (SL) | 161* | 146 | Bangladesh | 26-Feb-15 |
14 | Andrew Hudson (SA) | 161 | 132 | Netherlands | 05-Mar-96 |
15 | Imran Nazir (PAK) | 160 | 121 | Zimbabwe | 21-Mar-07 |
16 | Hashim Amla (SA) | 159 | 128 | Ireland | 03-Mar-15 |
17 | Matthew Hayden (AUS) | 158 | 143 | West Indies | 27-Mar-07 |
18 | Andrew Strauss (ENG) | 158 | 145 | India | 27-Feb-11 |
19 | Kyle Coetzer (SCT) | 156 | 134 | Bangladesh | 05-Mar-15 |
20 | Jason Roy (ENG) | 153 | 121 | Bangladesh | 08-Jun-19 |
Conclusion
The ICC ODI World Cup has produced some of the best batting performances in cricket history. The batsmen mentioned in the list above have all delivered great innings and contributed to the World Cup’s status as a historic event.
The passion, commitment, and relentless spirit of those who dare to dream and break records are ultimately more important than just the numbers. The ICC ODI World Cup will continue to represent sporting brilliance on the cricket pitch, where legends are created and records are shattered. Prepare for more breath-taking innings, epic battles, and moments in the 2023 ODI World Cup.