Top 5 Highest Individual Scores in ICC Cricket World Cup History

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 is just around the corner, and cricket enthusiasts worldwide are gearing up for the excitement. This 13th edition of the World Cup, scheduled to be held in India from October 5 to November 19, 2023, promises thrilling contests and the chance for elite batsmen to etch their names in history. Let’s take a look at the top five highest individual scores in the history of the ICC Cricket World Cup.

Highest individual scores in ICC World Cup

Martin Guptill – 237* (163) vs. West Indies, 2015

Location: Wellington

The list of top individual scores is spearheaded by New Zealand’s Martin Guptill. In the quarter-final of the 2015 World Cup, Guptill unleashed a spectacular innings, scoring an unbeaten 237 runs off just 163 balls against the West Indies. His breathtaking performance remains the highest individual score in World Cup history.

Guptill was on fire from the very start of his innings. He hit six boundaries in the first 10 overs. One of the most exciting moments was when he hit two big sixes in a single over off Jerome Taylor, showing his fearless style of play. Guptill reached a double century in just 149 balls, which was simply astonishing.

However, the real fireworks began in the final 10 overs. Guptill went all out, smashing seven sixes and four fours, reaching a total of 237 runs. And he did all this with a strike rate of 145.40, which means he scored very quickly. To put it into perspective, he contributed a massive 60% of New Zealand’s total runs in that innings.

What made Guptill’s innings even more special was his ability to be both aggressive and patient. He timed the ball perfectly, hitting boundaries whether he was on the front or back foot. It was like watching a batting masterclass.

Chris Gayle – 215 (147) vs. Zimbabwe, 2015

Location: Canberra

The second-highest individual score in World Cup history belongs to the legendary “Universe Boss,” Chris Gayle. During the league stage of the 2015 World Cup, Gayle displayed his trademark power-hitting by smashing 215 runs off 147 deliveries against Zimbabwe at the Manuka Oval in Canberra.

On that unforgettable day, February 24, 2015, at the picturesque Manuka Oval in Canberra, cricket fans witnessed history in the making as Chris Gayle carved his name into the history books of Cricket World Cup.With this inning, Gayle became the first player to score a double century in the tournament. It was a masterclass in power-hitting and destruction, a performance that still stands as one of the most awe-inspiring displays in the history of One Day International (ODI) cricket.

Gayle’s innings had an intriguing narrative. He didn’t explode into action from the word go; instead, he started cautiously, sizing up the Zimbabwean bowlers. However, it didn’t take long for him to find his rhythm, and when he did, it was nothing short of spectacular. Gayle reached his century off just 102 balls, and from there, he only accelerated. His 150 came up in 124 balls, and his 200 arrived in just 138 deliveries.

What truly set this innings apart was Gayle’s astonishing finish. In the final overs of the innings, he shifted into overdrive, treating the fans to a breathtaking display of power hitting. He sent six balls sailing over the boundary ropes in the last 10 overs, including three consecutive sixes off the final three deliveries of the innings. When the dust settled, Gayle had amassed an astonishing 215 runs, including a staggering 16 sixes and 10 fours.

Chris Gayle’s 215 is etched in cricketing history as one of the greatest ODI innings ever played. It was a display of sheer brute force and power, a spectacle that had never been witnessed before in the World Cup. Gayle not only shattered records but also inspired a generation of aspiring batsmen to dream big and aim high.

Beyond the statistics, Gayle’s innings was a cultural moment. He is a cricketing icon, known and loved by fans worldwide. His double century ignited the imaginations of cricket enthusiasts across the globe, reminding us all of the magic and excitement that this sport can offer.

Gary Kirsten – 188* (159) vs. United Arab Emirates, 1996

Location: Rawalpindi

Former South African opener Gary Kirsten held the record for the highest individual score (188*) in World Cup cricket for 19 years. He achieved this feat during the 1996 World Cup against the United Arab Emirates in Rawalpindi.

Oh, what an unforgettable innings that was from Gary Kirsten! Back in the day, when he was a spry 29-year-old, Kirsten showcased his prowess as a top-notch batsman on the international stage. But his performance against the UAE was nothing short of magical.

Kirsten’s century came in a flash, just 105 balls into his innings, and then he cranked up the tempo even further. He smashed four sixes and 13 fours in his knock, showing his immense power and versatility with the bat. What’s more, he maintained a strike rate of 118.21 throughout his marathon innings.

It was a heart-stopping moment when he was finally dismissed off the very last ball of the innings, just three runs shy of Viv Richards’ all-time ODI record of 189. But his score of 188 was the highest individual score in a World Cup match at that time, and it still stands as the second-highest ODI score ever.

But Kirsten’s innings wasn’t just about statistics; it was about the perfect timing. South Africa needed a big win in their first match of the tournament to boost their morale, and Kirsten delivered just that. The team went on to win the game by a whopping 169 runs, thanks to his phenomenal performance.

Kirsten’s knock against the UAE is hailed as one of the greatest innings ever played in an ODI match. It was a masterclass in cricket, showcasing his pure class and elegance, and highlighting his exceptional talent as a batsman.

So, there you have it, folks, a day in cricketing history that we’ll never forget, thanks to Gary Kirsten and his unforgettable innings against the UAE.

Sourav Ganguly – 183 (158) vs. Sri Lanka, 1999

Location: Taunton

At the fourth spot is former Indian opener Sourav Ganguly, renowned for his elegant stroke play. Ganguly’s memorable innings of 183 runs came against a star-studded Sri Lankan bowling attack during the 1999 World Cup in Taunton.

Ganguly, from the moment he strode to the crease, was in a league of his own. He approached the Sri Lankan bowlers with a confidence and finesse that was simply breathtaking. His cover drives were poetry in motion, his pulls were thunderous, and his cuts were surgical precision.

What set Ganguly apart wasn’t just his raw power and impeccable timing but also his cricketing intelligence. He had an innate sense of when to attack and when to bide his time, never once giving in to recklessness.

His partnership with Dravid, who played a scintillating 145 run, made this inning even better. Together, they constructed a monumental 318-run partnership for the second wicket, a record-breaking feat at that time in World Cup history. Their synergy was a masterclass in batting, a testament to their understanding of each other’s game.

Vivian Richards – 181 (125) vs. Sri Lanka, 1987

Location: Karachi

Completing the top five is the original Master Blaster, Sir Isaac Vivian Richards. In the 1987 World Cup, Richards played a breathtaking innings, scoring 181 runs off just 125 deliveries against Sri Lanka at the National Stadium in Karachi.

He didn’t rush into things; instead, he took his time to get his eye in. But once he did, the stadium was in for a spectacle. Richards showcased an array of strokes that sent the crowd into raptures. Sixteen boundaries and seven towering sixes came off his bat, and the Sri Lankan bowlers felt the brunt of his onslaught.

What made Richards’ innings truly remarkable was its sheer brutality. The power and timing with which he struck the ball left everyone awestruck. He particularly targeted the Sri Lankan spinners, treating them with disdain.

But it wasn’t just about power; it was also about speed. Richards raced to 181 runs in just 125 balls, boasting a strike rate of 144.80, a figure unheard of at that time. He was an unstoppable force, and the Sri Lankan bowlers were left scratching their heads, unable to find a way to halt his rampage.

This iconic innings turned the tide for the West Indies in the 1987 World Cup. They had lost their first two matches but with Richards at the helm, they regained their momentum, ultimately securing their third consecutive World Cup title.

For Vivian Richards, this was the innings that defined his career. It was a grand showcase of his unparalleled talent, solidifying his status as one of the cricketing greats of all time.

Let’s relive some of the standout moments from Richards’ innings:

• In the ninth over, he smashed the first six of the innings off Ravi Ratnayeke.
• His century arrived in the 32nd over, off just 73 balls.
• In the 40th over, he bludgeoned three consecutive sixes off Ashantha de Mel.
• His incredible journey came to an end in the 46th over, caught by Roshan Mahanama at long-on off the bowling of de Mel.

Honorable Mentions

While the top five highest individual scores in World Cup history are indeed remarkable, several other batsmen have left their mark on the tournament:

David Warner – 178 (133) vs. Afghanistan, 2015: Aussie opener David Warner’s explosive 178 against Afghanistan in the 2015 World Cup places him at the sixth spot.

Kapil Dev – 175 (138) vs. Zimbabwe, 1983:* Kapil Dev’s iconic innings of 175* during the 1983 World Cup, rescuing India from a precarious 9/4 against Zimbabwe, remains etched in cricketing folklore.

Virender Sehwag – 175 (140) vs. Bangladesh, 2011: Virender Sehwag’s dominant 175 against Bangladesh in the 2011 World Cup opener is another unforgettable World Cup innings.

Craig Wishart – 172 (151) vs. Namibia, 2003:* Former Zimbabwe opener Craig Wishart occupies the ninth spot with his magical 172* against Namibia in 2003.

Glenn Turner – 171 (201) vs. East Africa, 1975:* The legendary New Zealand batsman Glenn Turner’s unbeaten 171* against East Africa in the inaugural World Cup solidifies his place in World Cup history.

As we eagerly await the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, these monumental innings from the past continue to inspire and set the stage for new records to be created. Cricket fans can expect electrifying performances and unforgettable moments in this year’s tournament.

FAQ

Who has the highest individual score in ICC Cricket World Cups?

Martin Guptill of New Zealand holds the record for the highest individual score in ICC World Cups. He scored an unbeaten 237 runs against the West Indies in the 2015 World Cup quarter-final.

Highest score by an Indian in ICC Cricket World Cups?

Sourav Ganguly – 183 (158) vs. Sri Lanka, 1999 is the highest score by an Indian in ICC Cricket World Cups.