In this article, we have picked the top 5 greatest chases in ODI cricket which wasn’t easy.
Run chases in ODI cricket is more entertaining when a team is chasing a total of 300 plus. Back in 1971, when the first ODI cricket game was played who would have even thought that this idea of ODI cricket would transform like this. Back in the 1970s or 1980s even chasing a total of 200 was very difficult but with every decade the art of chasing has changed. In our modern cricket even after scoring 350, it is not sure the team would win.
Fans remember that one match-winning partnership which takes away the game from the opposition and put his team back into the driver seat. So we have picked the top 5 greatest chases in ODI cricket which wasn’t easy. Here is the list of the top 5 greatest chases in ODI cricket history.
The series was 2-2 and it was the decider. Fans were expecting some drama in the final game and this game truly defined the meaning of cricket “A match of too many uncertainties” and still there it records no match can ever compete for this intensity of this match.
Batting first the Australian team posted on the mammoth total on the board 434/4 and Australia become the first team to go cross the 400 runs Mark in which it was Ricky Ponting destructive knocks of 164 runs in 105 balls – which was well supported by the half centuries of Adam Gilchrist, Simon Katich, and Micheal Hussey. The Australian dugout and audience were sure Australian has made the history the host has no chance in this match.
But Herschelle Gibbs’s most fearless innings of 175 off 111 balls not only overshadowed the Ponting innings but also made sure they were capable of winning this game which was supported well by the innings Graeme Smith (90) and Mark Boucher (50).
299 in 31.5 overs when Gibbs out but other batsman kept the run rate going and this chase was roller coaster when Aussies eventually pulls things into his favor. It was left to Mark Boucher and Nitin. In the final over Nitini take the single and level the scores give the strike to Mark Boucher. But it was Mark Boucher with that winning pull shot over the in-field to take his team to one of the greatest ODI victories which had been looking impossible at one stage to make possible In the end.
One of the greatest cricketing moments in Indian cricket history. The match that has changed the Indian cricket dynamics at the world level. It was those years 2002 when chasing a total of 300 was very difficult but team India has done the possible which had been impossible at one stage.
Batting first England team posted an impossible total of 325 on the board with the centuries of Marcus Treshcothik and Nasser Hussain. Coming to bat Indian openers got off to flying start when reached 106/0 In just 14.3 overs. The target was looking clear but then comes the twist a sudden collapse and back to back quick wickets which take the scoreboard to 146/5.
Fans have lost hope and it was impossible when two underdogs Yuvraj Singh and Mohammed kaif were on the crease struggling to score runs. But they were determined to fight till last. After some time Yuvraj Singh takes the aerial route and starts smashing the balls around every corner of the ground. Unbeaten 87 of Mohammed kaif take the Indian team over the line and Sourav Ganguly barechested celebration after waving his t-shirt over Lord’s balcony did impossible which have changed the Indian cricket game.
“Unbelievable” This was Virat Kohli when he was at its best. The early days of Virat Kohli’s career and he was fighting to get into team India playing eleven. The opportunity was there and he grabbed like a predator with one of the best knocks of his career come at Hobart.
Coming to bat first Sri Lanka posted 320/4 with the centuries of Dilsan 160 off 165 balls and Kumar Sangakkara 105 runs of 87 balls. Now it was a “Do or Die” equation for team India to chase the total before 40 overs to stay alive in the contest.
After 86/2 at one point, the two Delhi dasher come to rescue the team. In the starting, it looked dicey but once they connect with the dots it was the show which was applauded across the globe.
But once Gambhir gets out then Kohli in his typically batting style treated the Lankan bowlers with no regard. Best was when Lasith Malinga has no answer to the Virat Kohli’s class. It was 40 overs to chase but Kohli forgets that to chase it down in 36.4 overs. Virat Kohli ‘s knock was a well-supported from Suresh Raina.
“Incredible” 7 match series and host already lost the series and trailing by 4-0. It was nothing for South Africa to just for his pride in the remaining games.
6th ODI, this was the first time in the series when the host was looking really good after posted 326/3 in 50 overs with the useful contribution of all their batsman. Graeme Smith, Gibbs, Kallis, Nicky Boje, and Jonty Rodes thrashed the Australian bowler all over the ground.
Coming into the bat and to chase this massive total of 327 the stylish Adam Gilchrist started off the innings with six to Shaun Pollock and clear the intentions and get the quick half-century which didn’t get in vain. As after him Ricky Ponting and Daren Lehman make 183 runs stand partnership for the 4th wicket. With this partnership, Aussies chased down the target with 5 balls to spare. It was those days when chasing a total of 300 plus was equivalent to today 380 plus total.
Mitchell Johnson debut game. The year was full of setbacks for the Australian team. After 18 years first, they have lost the Ashes series. But the wounds got deeper when they lost the 3rd ODI against New Zealand after scoring 331 on the board.
Australia tour of New Zealand after taking 2-0 lead in the series they were expecting the whitewash after posted the impossible target. If chasing is art then the team has to learn from “kiwis”. Because they stunned the world after chasing this total in 49 overs with the scatting knocks of Scott Styris 101 runs off 96 balls and Brendon Mucculum 50 runs off 25 balls.
So here were the top 5 greatest chases in ODI cricket history by Shivam Sharma. Follow him on Twitter. You can also read another article on Top 5 greatest run chase in Test cricket history
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