One-Day Internationals (ODIs) have given fans countless exciting moments. Among them, the thrill of witnessing the Highest Run Chase in ODI history is unmatched.
Some of these games have gone down to the last ball, while others have been won with ease thanks to amazing partnerships and brilliant strategies.
In this article, we look at the top 10 highest run chases in ODI cricket. Each match tells a special story, from record-breaking knocks to team efforts that left fans in awe.
Top 10 Highest Run Chase In ODI History
Here is a list of the highest run chases in ODI. Then, we’ll look at each match to understand how the matches turned out.
| Team | Runs | Against | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa | 438/9 | Australia | 12-Mar-2006 |
| South Africa | 372/6 | Australia | 05-Oct-2016 |
| England | 364/4 | West Indies | 20-Feb-2019 |
| India | 362/1 | Australia | 16-Oct-2013 |
| England | 359/4 | Pakistan | 14-May-2019 |
| Australia | 359/6 | India | 10-Mar-2019 |
| India | 356/7 | England | 15-Jan-2017 |
| India | 351/4 | Australia | 30-Oct-2013 |
| England | 350/3 | New Zealand | 17-Jun-2015 |
| New Zealand | 350/9 | Australia | 20-Feb-2007 |
Here are the detailed descriptions for all 10 matches of ODI history’s highest successful run chases. You’ll know exactly how all these matches turned out eventually.
1. South Africa vs. Australia (2006)
| Target Runs | 435 |
| Runs Scored | 438/9 |
| Overs | 49.5 |
| Venue | Johannesburg |
| Won | South Africa |
This match is often called the greatest ODI ever. Australia batted first, scoring a colossal 434/4, powered by Ricky Ponting’s blistering 164 runs off 105 balls.
Herschelle Gibbs’ electrifying 175 and Graeme Smith’s aggressive 90 set the tone. Mark Boucher’s composed unbeaten 50 sealed the historic chase in the final over. This remains the highest run chase in ODI history.
2. South Africa vs. Australia (2016)
| Target Runs | 372 |
| Runs Scored | 372/6 |
| Overs | 49.2 |
| Venue | Durban |
| Won | South Africa |
Ten years later, South Africa again demonstrated their chasing prowess. Australia set a challenging target of 372, thanks to David Warner’s masterful 117 and contributions from Steve Smith and Aaron Finch.
South Africa responded strongly, with Quinton de Kock’s 70 and Hashim Amla’s 45 laying a solid foundation. David Miller’s unbeaten 118 off just 79 balls ensured South Africa reached 372/6 in 49.2 overs, securing a four-wicket victory.
3. England vs. West Indies (2019)
| Target Runs | 361 |
| Runs Scored | 364/4 |
| Overs | 48.4 |
| Venue | Bridgetown |
| Won | England |
The West Indies posted a formidable 360/8, with Chris Gayle smashing 135 off 129 balls and Shai Hope contributing 64. England’s Jason Roy (123 off 85) and Joe Root (102 off 97) led the chase with aggressive yet calculated innings.
Eoin Morgan’s rapid 65 helped England reach 364/4 with 8 balls to spare, marking the third-highest successful chase in ODIs.
4. India vs. Australia (2013)
| Target Runs | 360 |
| Runs Scored | 362/1 |
| Overs | 43.3 |
| Venue | Jaipur |
| Won | India |
Australia’s total of 359/5, featuring half-centuries from George Bailey, Aaron Finch, and Glenn Maxwell, seemed daunting. However, India’s openers, Rohit Sharma (141*) and Shikhar Dhawan (95), started with a 176-run partnership.
Virat Kohli then smashed the fastest century by an Indian at the time, scoring 100* off 52 balls. India chased down the target with nine wickets and 6.3 overs to spare, reaching 362/1.
5. England vs. Pakistan (2019)
| Target Runs | 359 |
| Runs Scored | 359/4 |
| Overs | 44.5 |
| Venue | Bristol |
| Won | England |
In this high-scoring match, Pakistan put up a big total of 358/9, thanks to Imam-ul-Haq’s brilliant 151 runs off 131 balls. Jonny Bairstow led the charge with a smashing 128 off just 93 balls, hitting the ball to all parts of the ground.
England chased down the target comfortably in 44.5 overs with six wickets in hand. This match highlighted England’s deep and powerful batting lineup.
6. Australia vs. India (2019)
| Target Runs | 359 |
| Runs Scored | 359/6 |
| Overs | 47.5 |
| Venue | Mohali |
| Won | Australia |
Australia successfully chased a target of 359 runs set by India in one of the closest contests. Usman Khawaja anchored the innings with a steady 91 runs, while Peter Handscomb scored his maiden ODI century with 117 off 105 balls.
However, it was Ashton Turner’s breathtaking knock of 84 runs from just 43 balls that sealed the game. Turner’s fearless hitting in the last few overs helped Australia reach the target with just four balls to spare.
7. India vs. England (2017)
| Target Runs | 351 |
| Runs Scored | 356/7 |
| Overs | 48.1 |
| Venue | Pune |
| Won | India |
India faced a stiff target of 351 set by England. The chase didn’t start well, with early wickets falling, but Virat Kohli and Kedar Jadhav turned the game around. Kohli played a captain’s knock, scoring 122 runs, while Jadhav smashed 120 off just 76 balls.
Their 200-run partnership was the backbone of India’s chase. Despite a few late wickets, India reached 356/7 in 48.1 overs, securing a thrilling victory. Jadhav’s fearless approach and Kohli’s calm leadership were the keys to this memorable win.
8. India vs. Australia (2013)
| Target Runs | 351 |
| Runs Scored | 351/4 |
| Overs | 49.3 |
| Venue | Nagpur |
| Won | India |
Australia set a competitive target of 350 runs, with key contributions from Shane Watson and George Bailey. India’s openers, Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma, got off to a solid start, building a partnership of 178 runs.
Dhawan’s 95 and Sharma’s steady 79 laid the foundation. Later, Virat Kohli, Who has scored most centuries in ODI came in and played an aggressive unbeaten knock of 115 off just 66 balls, ensuring India chased down the total with six balls to spare.
9. England vs. New Zealand (2015)
| Target Runs | 350 |
| Runs Scored | 350/3 |
| Overs | 44 |
| Venue | Nottingham |
| Won | England |
New Zealand posted 349/7, with strong batting contributions from Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor. England’s response was explosive. Alex Hales scored a quickfire 67, followed by captain Eoin Morgan’s attacking 113. Joe Root also chipped in with a well-paced century (106).
England finished at 350/3 with a stunning six overs to spare. The ease of this chase highlighted England’s transformation into a fearless ODI side, capable of handling large targets with composure.
10. New Zealand vs. Australia (2007)
| Target Runs | 349 |
| Runs Scored | 349/4 |
| Overs | 49 |
| Venue | Hamilton |
| Won | New Zealand |
In a dramatic match, Australia posted 346/5, with Matthew Hayden scoring a massive 181 runs off 166 balls. Chasing 350, New Zealand struggled at times but found hope in Craig McMillan’s fiery 117 off 96 balls.
His innings kept New Zealand in the game, and Brendon McCullum’s unbeaten 86 ensured they crossed the line. McCullum’s calmness under pressure helped New Zealand win in the final over with one wicket to spare.
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Conclusion: South Africa Has The Record For The Highest Run Chase Of 438 In The ODI
Having chased the highest scores in ODI twice, South Africa’s epic feats stand tall in ODI history, inspiring cricketers and fans alike to believe that no target is truly out of reach.
These records remind us why ODI cricket is still the way to go, and it has everything –thrill, resilience, and playing till the last ball.
As teams push boundaries, run chases over 300 have become more frequent, thrilling fans worldwide.
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