Introduction: When Two Batsmen Dominate Together
In One Day International (ODI) cricket, partnerships are crucial to building or chasing big totals. While centuries and strike rates are often celebrated individually, it is partnerships that define team success. Over the years, there have been legendary stands that not only broke records but also crushed the morale of the opposition. This article explores the Highest Partnership in ODI Cricket, the players involved, and the contexts in which they rewrote the record books.
Highest Partnership in ODI Cricket (All Wickets)
Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels – 372 Runs (2015)
The record for the highest partnership in ODI cricket belongs to Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels of the West Indies, who added 372 runs for the second wicket against Zimbabwe during the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup in Canberra, Australia.
- Gayle scored a double century (215 runs off 147 balls)
- Samuels remained unbeaten on 133 off 156 balls
- Their partnership lasted 45.5 overs, setting a record that remains unbroken to this day
This massive partnership helped West Indies post 372/2, and they won the match by 73 runs (D/L method). It was also the first time a double century and 100+ score were part of the same ODI stand.
Top 5 Highest Partnerships in ODI History
| Rank | Players | Team | Runs | Wicket | Opponent | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chris Gayle & Marlon Samuels | West Indies | 372 | 2nd | Zimbabwe | 2015 |
| 2 | John Campbell & Shai Hope | West Indies | 365 | 1st | Ireland | 2019 |
| 3 | Sachin Tendulkar & Rahul Dravid | India | 331 | 2nd | New Zealand | 1999 |
| 4 | Sourav Ganguly & Rahul Dravid | India | 318 | 2nd | Sri Lanka | 1999 |
| 5 | Imam-ul-Haq & Fakhar Zaman | Pakistan | 304 | 1st | Zimbabwe | 2018 |
Most 300+ Partnerships in ODI History
- West Indies: 2 times (Gayle–Samuels, Campbell–Hope)
- India: 2 times (Dravid involved in both 300+ partnerships)
- Pakistan: 1 time (Fakhar–Imam)
Notable Mentions and Impactful Partnerships
Tendulkar & Ganguly – 252 vs Kenya (2001)
This legendary opening pair was instrumental in India’s ODI rise. Their 252-run stand came during the ICC Champions Trophy in 2001 and remains one of India’s highest partnerships.
Quinton de Kock & Hashim Amla – 282 vs Bangladesh (2017)
South Africa’s duo chased down 279 runs without losing a wicket. Their controlled aggression and placement made it one of the best chasing partnerships in ODI history.
David Warner & Travis Head – 284 vs Pakistan (2017)
A brutal opening stand in Adelaide where both left-handers decimated the Pakistani bowling lineup. Warner scored a career-best 179.
Highest Partnership in ODI World Cups
| Players | Runs | Opponent | World Cup Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gayle & Samuels | 372 | Zimbabwe | 2015 |
| Ganguly & Dravid | 318 | Sri Lanka | 1999 |
| Morgan & Root | 254 | Afghanistan | 2019 |
| Rohit Sharma & KL Rahul | 189 | Sri Lanka | 2019 |
Partnerships in World Cups often define legacies, and the Gayle–Samuels stand is still regarded as one of the most explosive in the tournament’s history.
Read Also: Fastest Hundred in Cricket History: Record-Breaking Centuries in All Format
Why Partnerships Matter in ODIs
- Build Platform for Big Scores: Long partnerships allow power-hitters to launch in the final overs
- Stabilize After Early Losses: Partnerships help anchor innings after early collapses
- Chasing Pressure: High partnerships during run chases reduce pressure on middle and lower order
- Momentum: Rotation of strike and boundary conversion build sustained momentum across overs
In ODI cricket, especially in recent years, high-run stands have become more frequent due to flat pitches, powerplays, and shorter boundaries.
How Do Modern Partnerships Compare?
With the advent of T20 cricket, players have become more aggressive. As a result, ODI partnerships are becoming quicker and more impactful. Unlike older eras that favored steady build-ups, modern pairs often aim for 8–10 runs per over even during partnerships of 100+. The evolution of batting has made 300-run stands more achievable, especially against weaker bowling attacks or during bilateral series.
Conclusion
The highest partnerships in ODI cricket showcase the power of batting cohesion, timing, and strategy. From Gayle and Samuels’ record-shattering 372 to iconic Indian pairings like Tendulkar–Dravid and Ganguly–Dravid, these partnerships have changed the course of matches—and in many cases, the history books. As ODI cricket continues to evolve, we may well see these records broken, but their legacy will always stand tall in the annals of cricket.
FAQs
Q1: Who holds the record for the highest partnership in ODI history?
A: Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels with a 372-run stand for West Indies vs Zimbabwe in 2015.
Q2: What is the highest opening partnership in ODIs?
A: John Campbell and Shai Hope’s 365-run stand against Ireland in 2019.
Q3: How many 300+ partnerships have occurred in ODIs?
A: There have been five 300+ partnerships as of 2024.
Q4: Has India had a 300+ run stand in ODIs?
A: Yes, twice—Sachin Tendulkar & Rahul Dravid (331), and Sourav Ganguly & Rahul Dravid (318).
Q5: Which partnership holds the record in ODI World Cup history?
A: Gayle and Samuels’ 372-run partnership in the 2015 World Cup.
