There have been many ODI innings that have been played at an unbelievable strike rate. It wasn’t necessarily the T20 era that ushered in this revolution. The spark was always present in the format. All it took at times was for some batters to go into a different zone. These batters then came out playing innings of a lifetime. They don’t classify as cameos, they go down as the most impactful ODI knocks of all time.
We rank the top 5 Highest Strike Rate In An ODI Innings:
(minimum balls faced: 25)
#5 Chris Gayle (SR: 285.18)
One can’t keep Chris Gayle away from a list that speaks about strike rates. It was a year (2019) when both England and West Indies threatened to break the 500-runs barrier in ODIs. The two sides met in a 5-match ODI series before the 2019 World Cup. In the last match, West Indies blew England away in a short-ball barrage. Needing to win just 114, Gayle came out all guns blazing. He stroked 27-balls 77 comprising 5 fours and 9 sixes at a strike rate of 285.18!
#4 Brendon McCullum (SR: 285.71)
He was one cricketer who played the T20 game across formats no matter what the situation. New Zealand had bundled out Bangladesh for a paltry score of 93. Brendon McCullum opened the innings along with Jamie How. New Zealand won the game without losing a wicket. In an unbeaten opening partnership of 95, Jamie all of 7 runs. It was the McCullum show all the way. He smashed 80 runs off just 28 balls. His knock was laced with 9 fours and 6 sixes. McCullum’s strike rate in that innings was 285.71!
#3 Brendon McCullum (SR: 308)
He inspired a nation to believe. Brendon McCullum was the leader of the World Cup in 2015. He introduced a brand of cricket that won over everyone. In one of the early World Cup games, McCullum’s all-out attack paid off rich dividends as New Zealand bowled England out for just 123. He led from the front when it came to the chase. McCullum in a whirlwind knock pummelled 77 runs off 25 balls at a strike rate of 308! He was particularly severe on Steven Finn who went for 49 runs in just 2 overs.
#2 Martin Guptill (SR: 310)
He is the third Kiwi batsman on this list. Martin Guptill is one of the most underrated openers in limited-overs cricket. His knock came under similar circumstances as the other three so far. New Zealand dismissed Sri Lanka cheaply for 117 runs. In reply, Guptill got going from ball one. He raced onto 93 runs in just 30 balls at a mind-boggling strike rate of 310. His knock comprised 9 fours and 8 sixes. It totalled 84 runs in boundaries!
#1 AB de Villiers (SR: 338.63)
What makes this knock unique from the others on this list is the fact that it came while setting up a target. AB de Villiers walked into bat at 38.3 overs with the score reading 247 for 1. He shredded the West Indies attack into pieces. The fact that this knock came in a World Cup makes it extra special. ABD broke numerous records during his epic ODI knock.
He finished on 149 off 44 balls. ABD hit 9 fours and 16 sixes in his innings (132 runs in boundaries). His strike rate of 338.63 remains an ODI record for batsmen batting a minimum of 25 balls. It has been 7 years since but this record continues to stand tall!
