One-Day International cricket has always been known for exciting batting, quick scoring, and thrilling finishes. Every team gets only 50 overs, so batters are expected to score runs at a healthy strike rate while making the most of every delivery. However, some innings stand apart because of the incredible amount of time a batter spent at the crease. These remarkable performances are now remembered as the Longest Individual Innings in ODI Cricket History, in which players showed exceptional patience, concentration, and determination by facing a large number of balls.
The Longest Individual Innings in ODI Cricket History are not only about scoring big hundreds. They also reflect a batter’s ability to survive challenging bowling attacks, adapt to different match situations, and build partnerships over a long period. While modern ODI cricket encourages aggressive batting, these innings prove that occupying the crease for a long time can be equally valuable. Some players scored quickly despite facing more than 170 deliveries, while others played cautiously due to difficult conditions or strong opposition.
List of 10 Longest Individual Innings in ODI Cricket History
10. Janneman Malan
South Africa opener Janneman Malan produced one of the finest modern examples of the Longest Individual Innings in ODI Cricket History when he faced Ireland in July 2021. The stylish right-handed batter remained unbeaten on 177 after facing 169 deliveries, showing outstanding concentration and consistency throughout his stay at the crease. His innings played a crucial role in helping South Africa post a commanding total and demonstrated how modern batters can combine patience with aggressive stroke play.
As the innings progressed, Malan continued to dominate the bowlers without losing his composure. His excellent shot selection, fitness, and temperament allowed him to remain unbeaten until the end of the innings. This memorable performance is now regarded as one of the best modern entries in the Longest Individual Innings in ODI Cricket History, proving that long innings can still be played at an impressive scoring pace.
| Player | Runs | Balls | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janneman Malan | 177* | 169 | 104.73 |
9. Viv Richards
West Indies legend Viv Richards produced one of the greatest ODI innings ever played when he scored an unbeaten 189 against England in 1984. Facing 170 deliveries, Richards combined fearless stroke play with remarkable patience to earn his place among the Longest Individual Innings in ODI Cricket History. His innings remains one of the finest examples of controlled aggression in One-Day International cricket.
The unbeaten 189 stood among the highest individual ODI scores for many years and is still remembered as one of cricket’s greatest knocks. Richards proved that a batter could dominate world-class bowling attacks while facing a huge number of deliveries, making this innings a timeless classic in the Longest Individual Innings in ODI Cricket History.
| Player | Runs | Balls | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Viv Richards | 189* | 170 | 111.17 |
READ MORE: Top 10 Batsmen with the Most Sixes in an Innings in ODI Cricket
8. Ashish Bagai
Former Canada captain Ashish Bagai played one of the most disciplined innings in ODI cricket when he remained unbeaten on 137 against Scotland after facing 172 balls. His outstanding effort earned him a place among the Longest Individual Innings in ODI Cricket History, highlighting his patience and determination throughout the innings.
Although his scoring rate was lower than that of many modern players, Bagai successfully carried his bat and remained unbeaten until the end of the innings. His ability to stay at the crease for such a long period showed excellent concentration and mental strength, making this one of the most memorable associate nation performances in the Longest Individual Innings in ODI Cricket History.
| Player | Runs | Balls | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashish Bagai | 137* | 172 | 79.65 |
7. Chris Athey
England batter Chris Athey produced one of the longest innings of the 1980s when he remained unbeaten on 142 against New Zealand after facing 172 deliveries. His composed knock secured a place among the Longest Individual Innings in ODI Cricket History and showcased the traditional style of ODI batting during that era.
Even though ODI cricket has become much faster today, Athey’s unbeaten century continues to be respected for its consistency and discipline. His ability to face 172 deliveries without losing his wicket demonstrated exceptional concentration and helped create one of the most memorable innings featured in the Longest Individual Innings in ODI Cricket History.
| Player | Runs | Balls | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Athey | 142* | 172 | 82.55 |
6. Gordon Greenidge
West Indies opener Gordon Greenidge played one of the most composed innings in ODI history when he remained unbeaten on 106 against India during the 1979 Cricket World Cup. Facing 173 deliveries, Greenidge earned his place among the Longest Individual Innings in ODI Cricket History by producing an innings built on patience, discipline, and excellent shot selection. His steady approach helped West Indies chase the target successfully while keeping the innings under complete control.
Although his strike rate appears modest by today’s standards, Greenidge’s innings was exactly what his team needed. His ability to bat through almost the entire innings demonstrated exceptional concentration and match awareness. Even decades later, cricket fans continue to recognize this performance as one of the greatest examples of endurance in the Longest Individual Innings in ODI Cricket History.
| Player | Runs | Balls | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gordon Greenidge | 106* | 173 | 61.27 |
5. Rohit Sharma
Indian captain Rohit Sharma produced one of the greatest batting performances ever witnessed in ODI cricket when he scored a record-breaking 264 against Sri Lanka in 2014. Facing 173 deliveries, Rohit’s incredible knock is not only the highest individual score in ODI history but also one of the longest individual innings in ODI Cricket History. His innings proved that a batter can remain at the crease for a long time while maintaining an outstanding scoring rate.
His innings completely changed the course of the match and remains one of cricket’s most iconic records. The ability to score 264 while facing 173 deliveries highlights Rohit’s incredible fitness, concentration, and consistency. Even today, this unforgettable performance stands as one of the greatest achievements in the Longest Individual Innings in ODI Cricket.
| Player | Runs | Balls | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rohit Sharma | 264 | 173 | 152.60 |
4. Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar’s unbeaten 36 against England during the inaugural 1975 Cricket World Cup remains one of the most unusual innings ever played in ODI cricket. The Indian legend faced 174 deliveries without being dismissed, securing a unique place among the Longest Individual Innings in ODI Cricket History. Although the innings attracted criticism because of its extremely slow scoring rate, it continues to hold an important place in cricket history because of the extraordinary number of balls he faced.
More than five decades later, Gavaskar’s innings continues to spark debate among cricket fans. While modern ODI cricket encourages aggressive batting, this performance serves as a reminder of how different strategies and playing styles were during the early years of the format. Regardless of opinions, it remains one of the most remarkable entries in the Longest Individual Innings in ODI Cricket History.
| Player | Runs | Balls | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunil Gavaskar | 36* | 174 | 20.68 |
3. Mohsin Khan
Pakistan opener Mohsin Khan displayed exceptional determination against the fearsome West Indies bowling attack during the 1983 Cricket World Cup. Scoring 70 runs from 176 deliveries, he produced one of the most patient batting performances ever seen, earning his place among the Longest Individual Innings in ODI Cricket History. Facing one of the strongest pace attacks in world cricket, Mohsin showed tremendous courage and resilience throughout his innings.
Mohsin’s determined knock remains one of Pakistan’s most memorable World Cup innings despite the difficult conditions. His ability to survive 176 deliveries against such a world-class bowling attack continues to earn admiration from cricket experts and fans alike. This remarkable effort deserves its place among the Longest Individual Innings in ODI Cricket History because it showcased resilience, discipline, and outstanding concentration.
| Player | Runs | Balls | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mohsin Khan | 70 | 176 | 39.77 |
READ MORE: Top 10 Players with the Fewest Ducks in ODI Cricket History
2. Glenn Turner
New Zealand opener Glenn Turner appears twice on this list, proving why he is one of the greatest long-innings specialists in ODI cricket. His unbeaten 114 against India during the 1975 Cricket World Cup came after facing 177 deliveries, making it one of the longest individual innings in ODI Cricket History. Turner displayed outstanding patience, excellent technique, and remarkable concentration while batting through almost the entire innings.
Turner’s unbeaten century reflected his ability to control the tempo of an innings without taking unnecessary risks. His excellent shot selection and patience helped New Zealand post a competitive total in an important World Cup match. Even after many decades, cricket historians continue to rank this innings among the greatest displays of endurance and consistency in the Longest Individual Innings in ODI Cricket History.
| Player | Runs | Balls | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glenn Turner | 114* | 177 | 64.40 |
1. Glenn Turner
Glenn Turner holds the record for the longest individual innings in ODI Cricket History after producing an extraordinary unbeaten 171 against East Africa during the inaugural Cricket World Cup in 1975. The legendary New Zealand opener faced an incredible 201 deliveries, a record that still stands today as the highest number of balls faced by any batter in a single ODI innings. His remarkable performance combined patience, consistency, and intelligent stroke play to create one of the greatest records in cricket history.
Although ODI cricket has changed dramatically since 1975, Turner’s record has survived every generation of cricketers. Many legendary batters have come close, but none have managed to surpass his incredible 201-ball innings. More than five decades later, this historic knock continues to be recognized as the greatest example of the Longest Individual Innings in ODI Cricket History, making Glenn Turner the undisputed record holder for the longest batting stay by balls faced in One-Day International cricket.
| Player | Runs | Balls | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glenn Turner | 171* | 201 | 85.07 |
The Longest Individual Innings in ODI Cricket History showcase some of the most remarkable batting performances ever witnessed in One-Day International cricket. While modern ODI cricket is often associated with aggressive stroke play and high scoring rates, these innings prove that patience, concentration, and the ability to remain at the crease for long periods are equally valuable qualities for a successful batter.
From Janneman Malan’s modern-day masterclass and Rohit Sharma’s record-breaking 264 to Glenn Turner’s historic 201-ball innings, every player on this list demonstrated exceptional skill in different cricketing eras. Some batters scored quickly while facing more than 170 deliveries, whereas others adopted a cautious approach to overcome difficult conditions and world-class bowling attacks. Despite these differences, each performance earned its place among the Longest Individual Innings in ODI Cricket History because of the remarkable endurance shown by the batter.
FAQs
1. Who holds the record for the Longest Individual Innings in ODI Cricket History?
Glenn Turner of New Zealand holds the record for the Longest Individual Innings in ODI Cricket History. He faced 201 balls while scoring an unbeaten 171 against East Africa during the 1975 Cricket World Cup. This remarkable record has remained unbeaten for decades.
2. Which player scored the highest runs among the Longest Individual Innings in ODI Cricket History?
Rohit Sharma scored the highest total among the Longest Individual Innings in ODI Cricket History. He smashed 264 runs against Sri Lanka in 2014 after facing 173 deliveries, which is also the highest individual score ever recorded in ODI cricket.
3. Why are the Longest Individual Innings in ODI Cricket History important?
The Longest Individual Innings in ODI Cricket History highlight a batter’s patience, concentration, fitness, and ability to build an innings over a long period. These performances often play a crucial role in helping teams post or chase challenging totals.
4. Has anyone broken Glenn Turner’s 201-ball ODI record?
No. Despite many legendary batters playing long innings over the years, no player has surpassed Glenn Turner’s record of facing 201 balls in a single ODI innings. It remains the highest number of deliveries faced by any batter in ODI cricket history.
5. Which modern player features in the Longest Individual Innings in ODI Cricket History?
South Africa’s Janneman Malan is one of the most recent players on the list of the Longest Individual Innings in ODI Cricket History. He remained unbeaten on 177 against Ireland in 2021 after facing 169 balls while maintaining an impressive strike rate of 104.73.