Longest Individual Innings in ODI have always represented some of the most remarkable displays of patience, concentration, and batting endurance in One-Day International cricket. Although modern ODI cricket is increasingly dominated by aggressive stroke play and high scoring rates, some batters have produced extraordinary innings by spending an enormous amount of time at the crease. The Longest Individual Innings in ODI are particularly fascinating because they come from different generations of cricket. Some players combined a huge number of deliveries with aggressive scoring, while others adopted a defensive approach to survive difficult bowling conditions.
10. Janneman Malan – 169 Balls
Janneman Malan features at No. 10 among the Longest Individual Innings in ODI after producing an unbeaten 177 against Ireland in July 2021. The South African opener faced 169 deliveries and maintained an impressive strike rate of 104.73, showing that a long stay at the crease does not necessarily require slow scoring. Malan combined patience with positive stroke play and remained unbeaten throughout his innings, helping South Africa build a strong total.
| Player | Runs | Balls Faced | Strike Rate | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Janneman Malan | 177* | 169 | 104.73 | Unbeaten |
9. Viv Richards – 170 Balls
West Indies great Viv Richards ranks ninth among the Longest Individual Innings in ODI, scoring an unbeaten 189 against England in 1984. He faced 170 balls at a strike rate of 111.17, combining attacking stroke play with remarkable endurance. His ability to maintain an aggressive scoring rate during such a long stay made the innings one of his most memorable ODI performances.
| Player | Runs | Balls Faced | Strike Rate | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viv Richards | 189* | 170 | 111.17 | Unbeaten |
8. Ashish Bagai – 172 Balls
Former Canada captain Ashish Bagai occupies eighth position after remaining unbeaten on 137 against Scotland while facing 172 balls. His strike rate of 79.65 reflects a patient approach that focused on occupying the crease and building the innings rather than taking unnecessary risks. Bagai’s ability to bat through a substantial portion of the innings demonstrated excellent concentration and determination. His performance stands out as an important associate-nation contribution and deserves recognition among the Longest Individual Innings in ODI because of the extraordinary number of deliveries he successfully negotiated.
| Player | Runs | Balls Faced | Strike Rate | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashish Bagai | 137* | 172 | 79.65 | Unbeaten |
7. Chris Athey – 172 Balls
Chris Athey produced another outstanding example of prolonged ODI batting when he remained unbeaten on 142 against New Zealand after facing 172 deliveries. His strike rate of 82.55 reflects the more measured nature of ODI batting during his era. Athey demonstrated tremendous concentration and patience while spending a significant amount of time at the crease. His performance therefore earns a place among the Longest Individual Innings in ODI based on deliveries faced.
| Player | Runs | Balls Faced | Strike Rate | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Athey | 142* | 172 | 82.55 | Unbeaten |
6. Gordon Greenidge – 173 Balls
Gordon Greenidge takes sixth position after playing an unbeaten 106 against India during the 1979 Cricket World Cup. The West Indies opener faced 173 deliveries and recorded a strike rate of 61.27. Although his scoring pace appears modest compared with modern ODI standards, his innings was highly valuable because he successfully occupied the crease for a long period and guided his team through the chase. Greenidge’s ability to remain unbeaten while facing 173 balls demonstrated remarkable discipline, concentration, and match awareness, making the performance a notable entry among the Longest Individual Innings in ODI.
| Player | Runs | Balls Faced | Strike Rate | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gordon Greenidge | 106* | 173 | 61.27 | Unbeaten |
5. Rohit Sharma – 173 Balls
Rohit Sharma occupies fifth place with one of the most extraordinary innings in ODI cricket history. The Indian batter smashed 264 against Sri Lanka in 2014 after facing 173 deliveries, producing an incredible strike rate of 152.60. Rohit’s 264 remains one of the most iconic individual ODI performances, and the fact that it came from 173 deliveries makes it an outstanding entry among the Longest Individual Innings in ODI.
| Player | Runs | Balls Faced | Strike Rate | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rohit Sharma | 264 | 173 | 152.60 | Dismissed |
4. Sunil Gavaskar – 174 Balls
Sunil Gavaskar’s unbeaten 36 against England during the inaugural Cricket World Cup in 1975 remains one of the most unusual innings in ODI history. Gavaskar faced 174 deliveries without being dismissed and recorded a strike rate of only 20.68. Although the innings attracted considerable criticism because of its extremely defensive nature, the sheer number of deliveries faced places it firmly among the Longest Individual Innings in ODI. The performance provides an interesting glimpse into the early days of ODI cricket, when batting strategies and expectations were dramatically different from the high-tempo approach seen today.
| Player | Runs | Balls Faced | Strike Rate | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunil Gavaskar | 36* | 174 | 20.68 | Unbeaten |
3. Mohsin Khan – 176 Balls
Pakistan’s Mohsin Khan produced an extremely determined performance against the West Indies during the 1983 Cricket World Cup. He scored 70 runs after facing 176 deliveries, recording a strike rate of 39.77. Facing a powerful West Indies bowling attack required tremendous courage and concentration. His innings was not built around rapid scoring but instead emphasized survival and determination, qualities that make it a memorable entry among the Longest Individual Innings in ODI.
| Player | Runs | Balls Faced | Strike Rate | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohsin Khan | 70 | 176 | 39.77 | Dismissed |
2. Glenn Turner – 177 Balls
Glenn Turner appears again near the top of the rankings after scoring an unbeaten 114 against India during the 1975 Cricket World Cup. The New Zealand opener faced 177 deliveries and recorded a strike rate of 64.40. Turner showed exceptional patience and concentration throughout the innings, carefully controlling the tempo while avoiding unnecessary risks. His unbeaten century demonstrated his ability to remain focused for an extended period and became one of the defining long innings of the early ODI era.
| Player | Runs | Balls Faced | Strike Rate | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glenn Turner | 114* | 177 | 64.40 | Unbeaten |
1. Glenn Turner – 201 Balls
Glenn Turner holds the No. 1 position among the Longest Individual Innings in ODI after facing an extraordinary 201 deliveries against East Africa during the inaugural 1975 Cricket World Cup. Turner remained unbeaten on 171 and recorded a strike rate of 85.07, producing a performance based on concentration, patience, and controlled stroke play. Facing 201 balls in a single ODI innings is an extraordinary feat, particularly considering the era in which the innings was played. Turner’s remarkable ability to maintain his concentration over such a long period allowed him to establish a record that remains one of the most distinctive achievements in ODI cricket.
| Player | Runs | Balls Faced | Strike Rate | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glenn Turner | 171* | 201 | 85.07 | Unbeaten |
The Longest Individual Innings in ODI showcase extraordinary examples of concentration, endurance, and batting discipline across different generations of One-Day International cricket. From Viv Richards and Gordon Greenidge to Sunil Gavaskar and Janneman Malan, every player featured a unique approach to occupying the crease. These performances continue to highlight the changing nature of ODI cricket and the remarkable mental and physical demands involved in playing a truly long innings.
FAQs
Who holds the record for the Longest Individual Innings in ODI?
According to the supplied data, Glenn Turner holds the record for the Longest Individual Innings in ODI, having faced 201 deliveries while scoring an unbeaten 171 against East Africa during the 1975 Cricket World Cup.
Who scored the highest number of runs on this list?
Rohit Sharma scored the most runs among the players listed, making 264 against Sri Lanka from 173 deliveries.
Which player appears twice in the top 10?
Glenn Turner appears twice, with innings of 114* from 177 balls and 171* from 201 balls.
Which player had the highest strike rate?
Rohit Sharma recorded the highest strike rate among the listed innings, scoring at 152.60 while making 264 runs from 173 balls.
What is the difference between a long innings and a high-scoring innings?
A long innings is measured primarily by the number of deliveries a batter faces, whereas a high-scoring innings is determined by the number of runs scored. A batter can therefore face many balls without making a huge score, as demonstrated by some entries on this list.