Often hailed as one of the most popular and intense formats of international cricket, the One-Day International (ODI) format has been witness to numerous spine-chilling rivalries, blood-curdling matches and high-octane moments that have often left millions of hardcore cricket aficionados from all over the world absolutely stunned. The glorious history of the One-Day Internationals (ODIs), which spans over decades, has witnessed numerous legendary batsmen who have altered the course of an entire match with their formidable and unmatched batting prowess at the crease.
While smashing big high-risk shots is often hailed as one of the most decorated moments for international cricketers in the ODI format, moving across the innings swiftly and chasing the mammoth score total usually remains the crux of the match. Have you ever wondered about the legendary cricketing stalwarts who have left the fans shocked with their iconic ODI run chases over the past few decades? Well, let’s find out.
In this article we will take a look at the top four batsmen who have left the fans shocked with their iconic run chases in the ODI format.
Top 4 Batsmen With Highest Run Chases in ODI
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Glenn Maxwell – 201 Runs (Not Out)
The legendary Australian professional international cricketer Glenn Maxwell, who is often regarded as one of the most prolific all-rounders in the history of international cricket, is at the first spot in our list of the top four most iconic batsmen with the highest run chases in the history of One-Day International (ODI) format.
Glenn Maxwell delivered one of the most sensational ODI innings of his career so far against Afghanistan during the 2023 Cricket World Cup, which took place at the iconic Wankhede Stadium located in Mumbai and smashed a mammoth total of 201 runs (not out) off 128 deliveries, leading the Australian side to a spine-chilling victory. Glenn Maxwell’s spine-chilling innings of 201 runs against Afghanistan included a phenomenal total of 21 boundaries and 10 high-flying sixes.
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Fakhar Zaman – 193 Runs
At the second spot in our list of the top four batsmen who have left the fans shocked with their iconic run chases in the ODI format, we have the legendary Pakistani international cricketer Fakhar Zaman, who rose to an incredible streak of prominence after scoring his maiden ODI century against India in the 2017 Champions Trophy.
Often hailed as one of the most reliable batsmen for the Pakistan national cricket team in the limited over format, Fakhar Zaman registered a daunting total of 193 runs against South Africa during the second ODI match in 2021 while chasing a target of 342 set by South Africa. Fakhar Zaman lifted Pakistan’s hopes of making a comeback in the match with his formidable innings of 193 runs which included 18 boundaries and ten sixes. Although Pakistan unfortunately ended at 324/9 at the end of 50 overs and lost the match against South Africa, Fakhar Zaman undoubtedly garnered enormous praise for his heroic exploits on the field.
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Shane Watson – 185 Runs
Next, at the third spot in our list of the top four most iconic batsmen with the highest run chases in the history of the One-Day International (ODI) format, we have the former Australian international cricketer and current coach of the Australian national cricket team, Shane Watson, who occasionally captained the Australian national cricket team between 2002 and 2016.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of international cricket, Shane Watson came in as an opener during the second ODI match against Bangladesh in 2011 and delivered one of the most sensational knocks of his entire international cricketing career, smashing a daunting total of 185 runs off just 69 deliveries, including 15 boundaries and 15 high-flying sixes leading Australia to a sensational victory against Bangladesh with an unassailable 2-0 lead in the 3-match series.
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Mahendra Singh Dhoni – 183 Runs
Finally, at the fourth spot in our list of the top four batsmen who have left the fans shocked with their iconic run chases in the ODI format, we have the iconic Indian former international cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who is often hailed as one of the greatest cricketers in the history of international cricket. Often hailed as one of the most successful captains of the Indian cricket team, Mahendra Singh Dhoni led the Indian side to phenomenal victories in multiple Asia Cup editions in the years 2010, 2016 and was a member of the title-winning squad in 2018.
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Mahendra Singh Dhoni delivered a sensational knock of 183 runs off 145 deliveries when India required 299 runs to defeat Sri Lanka, establishing himself as one of the most reliable run-chasers for the Indian national cricket team. Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s iconic knock of 183 runs against Sri Lanka during the 3rd ODI of the 7-match series between India and Sri Lanka in 2005 continues to be the fourth-highest individual chase score in the history of One-Day Internationals as of September 2025.
