Every cricket world cup match is a special event for every batter and bowler. But some matches take an extraordinary occasion in history due to special performances of the batters.
There have been many of these legendary innings played at every World Cup that have added greatly to cricket history. While these innings only entertained cricket fans, they eventually had a significant impact on cricket history. These are the types of innings that cricket fans will always remember. Overall, it is an incredible achievement for any batter to score maximum runs in an ODI match. Some players focus on scoring a century in a World Cup match while others focus on playing according to the situation of the match.
Here is another twist, sometimes greatest innings are played by legendary batters but sometimes by unknown batsmen with no fame.
Therefore, batsmen with no fame build their image and fame on the basis of one single innings that impacts their career in a positive way.
Whether they maintain their fame for a long time or not, one thing they achieve is having their name listed among the World Cup’s highest runs scored in an innings.
Hene, Upcoming ODI World Cup 2023 is going to have these innings but we will have a look into the past for highest runs in a World Cup by a player in a match.
Most Runs in a World Cup Match
| Batsen | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6w | SR | vs | Venue | WorldCup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Martin Guptill | 237 | 163 | 24 | 11 | 145 | WI | Wellington | 2015 |
| Chris Gayle | 215 | 147 | 10 | 16 | 146 | ZIM | Canberra | 2015 |
| Gary Kirsten | 188* | 159 | 13 | 4 | 118 | UAE | Rawalpindi | 1996 |
| Sourav Ganguly | 183 | 158 | 17 | 07 | 115 | SL | Taunton | 1999 |
| Sir Viv Richards | 181 | 125 | 16 | 07 | 144 | SL | Karachi | 1987 |
| David Warner | 178 | 133 | 19 | 05 | 133 | AFG | Perth | 2015 |
| Kapil Dev | 175* | 138 | 16 | 06 | 126 | ZIM | Tunbridge | 1983 |
| Virender Sehwag | 175 | 140 | 14 | 05 | 125 | BAN | Mirpur | 2011 |
| CB Wishart | 172* | 151 | 18 | 03 | 113 | NAM | Harare | 2003 |
| Glenn Turner | 171* | 201 | 16 | 02 | 85 | E Africa | Birmingham | 2003 |
| David Warner | 166 | 147 | 14 | 05 | 112 | BAN | Nottingham | 2019 |
| AB De Villiers | 162* | 66 | 17 | 08 | 245 | WI | Sydney | 2015 |
| Tillakaratne Dilshan | 161* | 146 | 22 | 0 | 122 | BAN | Melbourne | 2015 |
| Andrew Hudson | 161 | 132 | 13 | 04 | 121 | NED | Rawalpindi | 1996 |
Martin Guptill | 237 Runs
Nobody imagined Martin Guptill would ever record a double century in one-day international World Cup 2015. He succeeded in this, and he performed so while opening for the New Zealand cricket team. He took 223 minutes to score 237 runs on 163 balls as an opener vs West Indies. His inning is one of the longest innings in World Cup history, with 11 sixes and 24 fours.
Most of the critics argue that Martin Guptill scored this innings due to short boundaries of the Wellington cricket ground. But the reality is that his powerful innings came due to his own effort and powerful hitting.
Guptill was announced as player of the match for his superb record and innings for New Zealand.
Chris Gayle | 215 Runs
Chris Gayle is referred to as the Universe Boss, and he is the only one. A batter started his ODI career before the arrival of T20 cricket and later on polished to as a quick batter in every format. The same aggression came in the 2015 World Cup when he hit 215 runs on 147 balls with ten fours and 16 sixes. He hit that century with a strike rate of 146 which was an outstanding achievement in World Cup 2015.
Chris Gayle was announced man of the match for his superb knock.
Garry Kirsten | 188* Runs
Garry Kirsten from South Africa scored the highest Individual score for South Africa in World Cup 1996. He scored 188 runs not out against U.A.E. on 159 balls with 13 fours and four sixes. Due to his superb knock, team South Africa scored a total of 321 runs in 50 overs. This is one of the highest totals by South Africa in any World Cup match. In reply, U.A.E. was able to score 152 runs for the loss of 08 wickets. South Africa won the match by 169 runs.
Garry Kirsten was announced as man of the match for his superb knock.
Sourav Ganguly | 183 Runs
Sourav Ganguly scored the highest individual score, 183 in World Cup history for India. This innings came in a match against Sri Lanka in the 1999 ODI World Cup. Team India scored one of the highest totals, 373 runs, due to the excellent innings of Sourav Ganguly. In reply, Sri Lanka was able to score 216 runs in 42.3 overs.
Sourav Ganguly was announced as man of the match for his superb innings.
Read More: Most Centuries for India in ODI world cup
Sir Viv Richards | 181 Runs
Sir Viv Richards scored the highest individual score in W.C. for West Indies in the 1987 World Cup. He scored 183 runs against Sri Lanka on 125 balls on 16 fours and 07 sixes. His strike rate of 144 contributed greatly in West Indies win over Sri Lanka. West Indies posted a total of 360 runs for the loss of 04 wickets. In reply, Sri Lankan team failed to chase the target and lost the match by 191 runs.
Viv Richards was announced as man of the match for his super knock with the bat.
David Warner | 178 Runs
Who has scored the highest run in a World Cup innings for Australia? He is none other than David Warner. He scored 178 runs on 133 balls in ODI World Cup 2015. As a result, Australia posted one of the biggest total 416 of the World Cup against Afghanistan. In the end, Australia won the match by 275 runs which is one of the biggest victories in World Cup history.
David Warner was announced as the player of the match for his superb knock.
Kapil Dev | 175* Runs
After Sourav Ganguly, Kapil Dev has the highest Individual score in ODI WC for India. He scored 175 runs versus Zimbabwe in the 1983 ODI World Cup. He hit 16 fours and 06 sixes to hit the highest total in W.C. 1983. Team India posted a total of 266 runs and won the match by 31 runs.
Virender Sehwag | 175 Runs
Virender Shewag’s highest score in a World Cup match is 175 which came against Bangladesh in the 2011 ODI World Cup. He scored 175 runs on 140 balls with a strike rate of 125. Due to his superb innings, India posted a total of 370 runs for the loss of 04 wickets. In reply, Bangladesh could not chase the target and lost the match by 87 runs against India.
Which batter has scored the highest runs in a cricket World Cup final?
Adam Gillchrist score highest runs in world cup final against against Sri Lanka at Bridgetown in 2007. His 149 runs on 104 balls helped Australia in winning third consecutive World Cup.
