One Day Internationals
The 50-over format that gave cricket its greatest showpiece -- the Cricket World Cup. First played in 1971, ODIs blend strategy with spectacle in a single day's play.
Overview
One Day International cricket was born out of necessity when the third day of a Test match between Australia and England at Melbourne was washed out in January 1971. An impromptu 40-over-per-side match was organised, drawing an enthusiastic crowd of over 46,000 and proving there was huge appetite for a shorter form of the game. The format was quickly standardised at 50 overs per side, and the first Cricket World Cup was held in England in 1975, won by the West Indies under Clive Lloyd.
The Cricket World Cup has become one of sport's greatest global events, held every four years and capturing the imagination of billions. Iconic moments include Kapil Dev's India lifting the trophy in 1983 against all odds, the 1999 semi-final tie between Australia and South Africa, and Australia's dominant three consecutive World Cup victories from 1999 to 2007 under Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting. The ODI format also spawned the ICC Champions Trophy, providing another major white-ball tournament.
ODI cricket demands a unique combination of skills: the ability to build an innings through the middle overs while accelerating in the powerplays and death overs. Field restriction rules, the use of two new balls from each end, and the Decision Review System (DRS) have all evolved the format over the decades. While T20 cricket has grown rapidly, ODIs remain central to the sport's calendar and continue to produce some of the most dramatic finishes in all of cricket, such as England's extraordinary 2019 World Cup final victory at Lord's decided by a Super Over.
Top 5 ODI Run-Scorers
The most prolific batsmen in One Day International history
| Rank | Player | Country | Matches | Innings | Runs | Average | 100s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sachin Tendulkar | India | 463 | 452 | 18,426 | 44.83 | 49 |
| 2 | Virat Kohli | India | 292 | 283 | 13,906 | 58.18 | 50 |
| 3 | Kumar Sangakkara | Sri Lanka | 404 | 380 | 14,234 | 41.98 | 25 |
| 4 | Ricky Ponting | Australia | 375 | 365 | 13,704 | 42.03 | 30 |
| 5 | Sanath Jayasuriya | Sri Lanka | 445 | 433 | 13,430 | 32.36 | 28 |
Notable ODI Records
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Most Runs: Sachin Tendulkar - 18,426 runs in 463 ODIs (1989-2012)
The Master Blaster was also the first player to score a double century in ODIs (200* vs South Africa in 2010).
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Most Wickets: Muttiah Muralitharan - 534 wickets in 350 ODIs
Muralitharan's mastery of spin was equally devastating in limited-overs cricket as in Tests.
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Highest Individual Score: Rohit Sharma - 264 vs Sri Lanka (2014)
Rohit Sharma holds three of the eight ODI double centuries, with his 264 at Eden Gardens being the highest.
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Most World Cup Wins: Australia - 6 titles (1987, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2015, 2023)
Australia's dominance in World Cup cricket is unmatched, including three consecutive titles from 1999 to 2007.
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Wasim Akram: 502 wickets in 356 ODIs at retirement (1984-2003)
The Sultan of Swing was the leading ODI wicket-taker when he retired, renowned for his devastating yorkers and swing bowling.
Frequently Asked Questions
The first One Day International was played on 5 January 1971 between Australia and England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. It was organised as a replacement after the first three days of a Test match were washed out. Australia won the 40-over-per-side match by 5 wickets, and the enormous public response demonstrated the commercial viability of shorter-format cricket.
Each team bats for a maximum of 50 overs (300 balls) in an ODI. The match also features mandatory powerplay periods: the first 10 overs allow only two fielders outside the 30-yard circle, overs 11-40 allow four fielders outside, and the final 10 overs allow five. These restrictions create distinct phases of play that require different tactical approaches from both batting and bowling sides.
Australia holds the record for the most Cricket World Cup victories with six titles: 1987, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2015, and 2023. India and the West Indies have each won two World Cups, while Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and England have won one each. Australia's three consecutive triumphs from 1999 to 2007 under the captaincy of Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting represent the most dominant era in World Cup history.