Top 5 Super Over performances in the history of cricket
Super Overs in cricket have been a great source of thrill over the last few years. In this article, we look at some of the best Super Overs in cricket history.
Source: IANS and Twitter
In 2009, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced a new way of deciding the tied match winner. This new method of Super Over replaced the previous process of Bowl Outs. In a Super Over, both teams play out basically an inning of one over each. The team that batted second i.e. was chasing the target will bat first in the Super Over. In this article, we will look at the top five Super Over performances in the history of cricket.
Rohit Sharma vs New Zealand
This performance by Rohit Sharma was excellent as well as an efficient performance as he turned the game in India’s favour in the space of just two balls. The third T20I between India and New Zealand in 2020 ended in a tie and went to a super over. In the first innings, India had scored 179 runs thanks to a great knock by Rohit. The opener scored 65 runs off 40 balls. While chasing New Zealand captain, Kane Williamson almost chased down the total as he scored 95 runs in just 48 balls but unfortunately for him, the match ended in a tie.
In the Super Over, New Zealand scored 17 runs batting first as Williamson scored 11 runs in just four balls. For India, KL Rahul and Rohit came out to bat. The Indian team had scored eight runs on the first four balls and needed 10 runs off the last two balls with Rohit on the strike. Rohit first hit a six over the long-on boundary and then with four needed off the last ball, he smashed another six over the long-off boundary.
Logan van Beek vs West Indies
Logan van Beek stunned the world when he scored the highest individual total in Super Overs. This is the most recent addition to the list of Super Over miracles. During the World Cup 2023 Qualifiers, West Indies had put up a total of 374 runs in the first innings thanks to a century from Nicholas Pooran. The left-handed batter scored 104 runs in just 65 balls. The Netherlands got into the game thanks to a century partnership between Teja Nidamanuru and captain Scott Edwards. The Netherlands almost pulled off the chase thanks to a cameo by Logan van Beek.
In the Super Over, while batting first Logan van Beek scored 30 runs as he smashed three sixes and three fours off Jason Holder’s bowling. The West Indies team never looked as if they will chases the mammoth total.
Sunil Narine vs Trinidad and Tobago
Sunil Narine during the Caribbean Premier League in 2014 achieved a record that might never be broken. Narine bowled a maiden super over. Trinidad and Tobago batted first and scored a low total of 118 runs. Chasing the total, Amazon Guyana Warriors lost wickets in quick succession which meant that they could only tie the scores.
In the Super Over, Guyana Warriors scored 11 runs and with only 12 runs required to chase, the game held in the balance. Narine came to bowl in the Super Over against a young Nicholas Pooran. The veteran spinner bowled off-spin deliveries that spun away from the left-handed batter’s reach. The first four balls were very similar plays and misses. On the fifth ball, Pooran finally made a connection but was only able to loft it towards Martin Guptill for a catch. The last ball of the Super Over also resulted in a dot which meant that Narine had bowled a wicket-maiden Super Over.
Yusuf Pathan vs Kolkata Knight Riders
The first-ever Super Over in the history of the Indian Premier League did not disappoint. In 2009, in a match between Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders, Yusuf Pathan single-handedly won the match for the Royals. In the first innings, the Royals scored 150 runs thanks to a cameo by Yusuf Pathan where he scored 42 runs in just 21 balls. In reply, KKR tied the game thanks to 40+ scores by Chris Gayle and Sourav Ganguly.
In the Super Over, Gayle and McCullum came to bat for KKR and scored 15 runs. For RR, Pathan came into bat and faced Ajantha Mendis. Pathan scored 18 runs in just four balls to win the game for RR.
Chris Gayle vs New Zealand
Chris Gayle had to feature in this list. The hard-hitting maestro over the years has earned a name for himself because of his ability to hit maximums. This was the first-ever Super Over in international cricket. New Zealand batted first and scored 155 runs. In reply, Chris Gayle scored 67 runs in 41 balls but without any support from the rest of the team, the match ended in a tie.
In the Super Over, Daniel Vettori came in to bowl for New Zealand. Gayle smashed three sixes and a four and scored 25 runs off six deliveries in the Super Over. New Zealand started their Super Over with a six but was put to the backfoot with a wicket off the third ball. Sulieman Benn, the bowler from the West Indies bowled a waist-high no-ball which was smashed by Ross Taylor for a six. But a wicket on the next ball meant that New Zealand had lost their two wickets and fell short of their target.
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