ODI cricket has evolved largely over the last 10 years. Batsmen have dominated the format endlessly. The introduction of two new balls has played into the batsmen’s hands. Small boundaries, bigger bats have made run-making easy. ODIs are now an extension of T20Is with teams wanting to maximize every ball. But the price of aggression has costed many collapses. Teams wanting to post big scores have folded cheaply. There have been few instances where batsmen have rescued their teams from precarious situations. let’s look at Greatest Rescue Knocks In ODIs.
We rank top 5 such great knocks in ODIs that rescued their team’s collapse:
#5 MS Dhoni (113* after 29/5)
India was playing Pakistan at Chennai in the first ODI in 2012-13. Pakistani quicks were all over the Indian batsmen with the new ball. India were reduced to 29-5 in no time. MS Dhoni slowly started reconstructing the innings. He combined forces with Suresh Raina initially. The pair stitched a key partnership of 73 for the sixth wicket. Dhoni then formed a great combination with Ravichandran Ashwin for the 7th wicket. Their partnership of 125 runs took India to a position of strength. India eventually posted a score of 227.
#4 Michael Bevan (78* after 38/6)
Micheal Bevan is arguably one of the best ODI finishers. He has pulled off many heists walking in at number 5/6. Australia were chasing a target of 173 in 43 overs in a rain-affected game. They were in all sorts of trouble at 38/6. The chase seemed lost for all reasons. But Michael Bevan pulled off a magnificent rescue. He scored a brilliant 78 off 88 balls. Australia needed a 4 off the final ball. Bevan smashed a boundary and won the game for his country.
#3 Marcus Stoinis (146 after 67/6)
Marcus Stoinis played one of the best ODI knocks in a heart-breaking losing cause. Australia had no right to get close to New Zealand’s total but Stoinis that day had other ideas. Chasing a target of 290, Australia were in tatters (67-6). The hopes of an Australian win had soon evaporated. But Stoinis took matters into his own hands. He smashed a stunning 117 ball 146. Stoinis farmed the strike beautifully batting along with the tail. Australia fell agonisingly short of the target (6 runs) but Stoinis’s innings won over cricket lovers.
#2 Jos Buttler (110 after 50/5)
Jos Buttler is one of England’s greatest ODI players. He has played a starring role in England’s white-ball revolution. England were on the verge of a historic ODI sweep in the 5th match of the ODI series. They had bowled out Australia for just 204. But to their utter dismay, England were reduced to 50-5. The score soon became 114-8. England were looking down and out despite Buttler’s presence in the middle. But to everyone’s surprise, Buttler produced a masterclass smashing 110 taking England to an epic win.
#1 Kapil Dev (175 after 17/5)
Kapil Dev’s knock at the Tunbridge Wells is undoubtedly the greatest ODI knock of all time. The conditions, the match situation, and the stakes at hand make his innings the G.O.A.T of all time. India batting first were in doldrums (17-5) and 78-7 soon after. But Dev stitched important partnerships with Madan Lal first and Syed Kirmani later. Dev smashed 175* off just 138 balls. His knock comprised 16 boundaries and 6 sixes. India posted a total of 266 and eventually won the game by 31 runs. If not for his knock, India might not have ended up winning the World Cup. His innings changed the way cricket was played in India. It was surely a legendary inning that has clearly stood the test of time.
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