Several record-breaking partnerships have been seen in ODI cricket over the years. From Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels’ 372-run partnership to David Warner and Travis Head’s 284-run partnership, here we look at the top 8 biggest partnerships in ODI cricket history.
1) Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels (West Indies) – 372 v Zimbabwe, 2015
In the pool B match of the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup at Canberra against Zimbabwe, West Indies won the toss and opted to bat first. But they had a poor start to the game, with Dwayne Smith being dismissed for a duck in only the second ball. Batting at no. 3, Chris Gayle joined opener Marlon Samuels with the score reading 0/1.
What unfolded next was the highest-ever partnership in the history of ODI cricket. Gayle was in the form of his life, smashing 215 runs off just 147 balls, a marathon knock which included 16 sixes and 10 fours. The swashbuckling batsman was dismissed only on the last ball of the innings by Hamilton Masakadza. Samuels, as the second fiddle, remained unbeaten on 133 from 156 balls.
West Indies’ eventual target was a huge 372/2 and they went on to win the match by 89 runs via the Duckworth Lewis method.
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2) John Campbell and Shai Hope (West Indies) – 365 v Ireland, 2019
The second-highest partnership in ODIs also belongs to the West Indies team. They were touring Ireland for a tri-series in 2019 and it was the first ODI of the series at the Clontarf Cricket Club Ground in Dublin. Batting first, openers John Campbell and Shai Hope kept batting together till the 48th over, by which West Indies had put up 365 runs on the board.
In the initial 10 overs, the openers took time to settle down and together scored just 17 runs. But from there on, they caused carnage. While Campbell scored 179 runs off 137 balls, hitting 15 fours and six maximums, Hope raced to a 152-ball 170 that was laced with 22 fours and two sixes. The two openers put on 365, the biggest partnership for the first wicket in ODI history.
West Indies’ eventual total was 381/3 and in reply, Ireland could not go past 185 runs, with Kevin O’Brien top scoring with 68 runs.
3) Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid (India) – 331 v New Zealand, 1999
The third-highest partnership in ODI cricket belongs to India, and it came between Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid during the home series against New Zealand in 1999. It was the second ODI in Hyderabad when batting first, Sourav Ganguly was dismissed in the second over. Rahul Dravid then joined Sachin Tendulkar at the crease.
Sachin, who was the captain then, and Dravid, batted together till the 48th over, creating a partnership of 331 runs. While Dravid scored a run-a-ball 153, which is also his highest ODI score, Tendulkar remained unbeaten on 186, a knock which comprised of 20 fours and three sixes. India set a total of 376 runs, which proved to be too much for the visitors, who folded up for 202 runs in 33.1 overs. India won the game by 174 runs and the series 3-2. The Player of the Match award was given to Tendulkar.
4) Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly (India) – 318 v Sri Lanka, 1999
The fourth-highest partnership in the history of ODI cricket also belongs to India. It was the Group A match of the 1999 World Cup, when India were playing Sri Lanka at the County Ground in Taunton. After winning the toss and choosing to bat first, India got off to a bad start as opener Sadagoppan Ramesh was dismissed for five runs in the very first over of the innings. But Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid forged a 318-run stand for the second wicket, which till date remains the second-highest partnership in ODIs for India. While Ganguly scored 183 runs with the help of 17 fours and seven sixes, Dravid scored a knock of 145 runs which included 17 fours and one six. The partnership helped India post a total of 373/6, which was followed by an impression bowling performance where Sri Lanka were bowled out for just 216. India won the game by 157 runs as Robin Singh scalped five wickets. Eventually though, India failed to make it to the semi-finals of the coveted tournament.
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5) Fakhar Zaman and Imam-Ul-Haq (Pakistan) – 304 v Zimbabwe, 2018
During the 4th ODI of Pakistan’s tour of Zimbabwe in 2018, Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq became the first opening pair to add 300 runs in an ODI. The two added 304 runs in 42 overs before mam fell for 113 off 122 balls. Zaman, on the other hand, went on to score Pakistan’s maiden ODI double century and remained not out on 210 off 156 balls, which included 24 fours and five sixes. Later, Asif Ali also contributed with a half-century as Pakistan posted a total of 399-1 and then bundled out the opponents for just 155 runs.
Zaman was deservedly awarded the Player of the Match prize. Before him, it was Saeed Anwar who held the record for most runs in an ODI innings for Pakistan when he scored 194 runs against India in 1997.
The partnership of 304 runs is the fifth 200-plus opening stand in Pakistan s ODI history, surpassing the 228* between Imran Farhat and Mohammad Hafeez against Zimbabwe in 2011.
6) Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das (Bangladesh) – 292 v Zimbabwe, 2020
Earlier this year, Bangladesh clean swept Zimbabwe in a three-match ODI series with a 123-run win in the last match. Liton Das and Tamim Iqbal scored 176 and 128* respectively to forge a record 292-run opening stand. Bangladesh posted 322/3 in the 43 overs (match was shortened due to rain). As per the revised target, Zimbabwe needed 342 to win but were bowled out for only 218 in 37.3 overs.
The partnership between the two openers is the highest for any wicket in the ODI format for Bangladesh.
7) Ishan Kishan and Virat Kohli (India) – 290 runs against Bangladesh, 2022
In the third ODI of the series between Bangladesh and India in Chattogram, the Men in Blue caused plenty of carnage on a track that was delightful to bat on. Shikhar Dhawan’s early dismissal brought Virat Kohli at number 3 and he partnered with a rather inexperienced Ishan Kishan to get things going.
It was the young left-hander, however, who stole the limelight. Chasing his maiden century in this format for India, he ended up converting into a double hundred, becoming the youngest, at that point, to score a double century! Kishan scored 210 before getting dismissed by Taskin Ahmed.
Virat Kohli played the role of the anchor and was happy to see Kishan go about business from the opposite end. He brought up another century as well – scoring 113 – and the duo’s 290-run partnership helped India to a commanding total of 409/8.
8) Upul Tharanga and Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) – 286 runs against England, 2006
The seventh-highest partnership in ODI cricket was seen in the fifth ODI of Sri Lanka’s tour of England for five-ODI series in July 2006. Batting first, England put up 321-7 in their 50 overs, with Marcus Trescothick top-scoring with a 118-ball 121. In reply, Sanath Jayasuriya and Upul Tharanga shared a 286-runs partnership for the wicket and helped their team win by eight wickets. Tharanga’s 102-ball 109 was laced with 14 fours and one maximum, while Jayasuriya’s sensational 99-ball 152 included 20 fours and four sixes.
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