Each batting position holds relevance in every format of the game. Of course, in T20s, it is mostly about the upper half, in the other two formats, there is importance for each spot. When it comes to ODIs, while the openers and the middle-order batters will have to do their usual role, for those in the bottom half, some batting skills are needed. Especially in the current era, batting depth is a must. On that note, here, we take a look at the playing XI based on the highest individual score in each batting position in ODI cricket.
Note: This playing XI is as of September 24th, 2023.
Openers: Rohit Sharma (264) and Martin Guptill (237*)
Rohit Sharma and Martin Guptill will open the batting for this playing XI based on the highest individual score in each batting position in ODI cricket. Two of the most destructive openers that the game has seen, Rohit and Guptill, will operate here.
While Rohit Sharma scored 264 runs against Sri Lanka in 2014, for the Kiwi, his highest score came about in the World Cup against West Indies. Rohit Sharma is the current skipper of Team India. Martin Guptill is yet to retire but has lost his spot in the New Zealand setup.
No.3, 4 and 5: Charles Coventry (194*), Viv Richards (189*), Heinrich Klaasen (174)
For many years until Sachin Tendulkar broke the record, Saeed Anwar’s 194 was the highest individual score in ODIs. Charles Coventry got a similar score in 2009. It was against England in 1989 that Viv Richards got this score. It is a massive feat that he got such a high score in the yesteryear era.
Until recently, Jaskaran Malhotra was the owner of the highest ODI score at No.5. However, recently, Heinrich Klaasen has joined this list. The middle-order batter from South Africa was in top form against Australia and broke many records on the way to this score.
No.6, 7 and 8: Kapil Dev (175*), Luke Ronchi (170*) and Mehidy Hasan (100*)
Kapil Dev is also a part of this playing XI based on the highest individual score in each batting position in ODI cricket. The iconic knock of Kapil Dev makes its way here. It will be a difficult task for anyone to beat this record.
Luke Ronchi scored 170* against Sri Lanka in 2015. It was a terrific show by the wicket-keeper batter. Both Mehidy Hasan and Simi Singh have scored 100* while batting at No.8. However, Mehidy’s knock took fewer deliveries and hence, we have included him on this list.
No.9, 10 and 11: Andre Russell (92*), Ravi Rampaul (86*) and Mohammad Amir (58)
Usually, not much is expected out of this department when it comes to batting. However, at times, due to many reasons, we might have some batters come in at No.8 or maybe, even below. Against India in 2011, Russell scored 92* but was still not able to help his team win the game.
Interestingly, against India in 2011, Rampaul also had this brilliant score but West Indies could not win the encounter. Pakistan was chasing 445 against England in 2016 and the best batting show at No.11 came about in this game by Amir.
