Top 5 Highest powerplay scores in ODI World Cup
The opening batsmen get the golden opportunity of batting first for their team to take advantage of the field restrictions in the powerplay of the game. The batsmen in the ODIs can brutally exploit the powerplay by batting aggressively while playing attacking shots, finding gaps in the field and hitting huge sixes with lesser fear of getting caught at the boundaries. The same has been the case in the ODI World Cup history.
It becomes crucial for the opening batsmen to capitalize on fielding restrictions to accumulate runs quickly build a solid foundation for the innings and make it easier for the upcoming batsmen to play freely. With the ODI World Cup 2023 being conducted in full swing in India, the season has already witnessed the three highest power play totals. Let’s have a look at the highest power-play scores in the ODI World Cup history.
Top 5 Powerplay scores in the history of ODI World Cup
1 AUS vs NZ, ODI World Cup 2023 (118-0)
Australia and New Zealand met for the 27th match of the ODI World Cup 2023 and New Zealand invited Australia to bat first. Australian openers David Warner and Travis Head put up the highest score in the power play in the ODI World Cup history as they collectively put 118 runs on the board. Travis Head scored 50 runs while David Warner scored 65 runs off 25 and 37 deliveries, respectively.
2 NZ vs ENG, ODI World Cup 2015 (116-2)
New Zealand and England met for the ninth match of the ODI World Cup 2015 and New Zealand chased a low target of 124 runs in the ODI match. New Zealand won the game after just 2.2 overs of the power play as their top-order batsmen Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum, Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor put together 116 runs on the board with the loss of two wickets.
3 SL vs SA, ODI World Cup 2023 (94-2)
Sri Lanka and South Africa met for the 4th match of the ODI World Cup 2023 and Sri Lanka invited South Africa to bat first. While chasing the target, the Sri Lankan top order batsmen Kusal Perera scored 7 runs, Kusal Mendis scored 72 runs and Sadeera Samarawickrama scored 12 runs to score 94 runs with the loss of two wickets of Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera.
4 IND vs AFG, ODI World Cup 2023 (94-0)
India and Afghanistan met for the 9th match of the ODI World Cup 2023 and India chased a target of 273 runs. India’s captain Rohit Sharma and opening batsman Ishaan Kishan scored 76 and 11 runs respectively to lead the Indian cricket team to register their highest total in the power play of a match in the ODI World Cup 2023. The duo collectively scored 87 runs, followed by 7 extras without a loss of any wicket.
5 IND vs SA, ODI World Cup 2011 (87-0)
The 2011 World Cup winners India registered their first-ever highest total in power play in the ODI World Cup match against South Africa. The opening batsmen Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag scored an unbeatable 87 runs. Even though India lost the match, the score became the highest total ever registered in a powerplay in the ODI World Cup history.
