Top 10 Most Explosive Overs in ODI Cricket History

Scoring an extraordinary number of runs in a single over is one of the most thrilling feats in One Day International cricket. It requires not only raw power but also precise timing, perfect shot selection, and the ability to stay composed under extreme pressure. These rare overs can turn a match on its head, energizing the batting side while putting immense pressure on the opposition. Over the years, many players have created unforgettable moments that are now celebrated as the Most Explosive Overs in ODI Cricket History. From calculated risk-taking to fearless aggression, these overs combine skill, strategy, and sometimes a little bit of luck to deliver cricketing magic. Below, we explore the top 10 overs where players scored the Most Explosive Overs in ODI Cricket History, showcasing sheer dominance and unparalleled intensity.

List of 10 Most Explosive Overs in ODI Cricket History

10. KS Williamson

In a 2010/11 ODI match between New Zealand and Canada, KS Williamson, alongside JEC Franklin, scored an incredible 31 runs in a single over bowled by Rizwan Cheema. This over was a combination of crisp boundaries, smart running, and aggressive striking. Williamson’s ability to find gaps consistently, combined with Franklin’s awareness of the field, allowed them to maximize each delivery. This over is remembered as one of the Most Explosive Overs in ODI Cricket History because it demonstrated how a pair of skilled batters could exploit every opportunity and put the opposition under extreme pressure in just six balls. The over swung momentum entirely in New Zealand’s favor, highlighting the impact a single over can have on the course of a game Most Explosive Overs in ODI Cricket History.

Runs	Bowler	Match	Season
31	Rizwan Cheema	New Zealand v Canada	2010/11

9. SS Iyer

Shreyas Iyer displayed his aggressive batting against West Indies at Visakhapatnam in the 2019/20 season, scoring 31 runs off a single over bowled by RL Chase. Iyer combined power with precision, carefully targeting weaker areas of the field while maintaining quick singles where possible. The over included boundaries and exceptional running between wickets, keeping the scoring rate consistently high. This performance is widely cited as one of the Most Explosive Overs in ODI Cricket History, emphasizing the importance of both power-hitting and tactical awareness. Iyer’s over not only increased the run rate rapidly but also demoralized the bowler and changed the flow of the innings.

Runs	Bowler	Match	Season
31	RL Chase	India v West Indies	2019/20

8. Milind Kumar

Milind Kumar’s remarkable 32-run over against Canada during the 2025 ODI series at Lauderhill is an example of sheer dominance. Bowled by Dilon Heyliger, Milind displayed impeccable timing and accuracy in his shot selection, combining multiple sixes with well-placed boundaries. Each stroke seemed perfectly calculated to maximize runs while avoiding risks of dismissal. This over is regarded among the Most Explosive Overs in ODI Cricket History because it shows how a batter can completely dominate a bowler through a combination of skill, aggression, and intelligent placement. The sheer audacity of Milind’s batting sent a message to the opposition about the potential for turning any over into a run-scoring frenzy.

Runs	Bowler	Match	Season
32	Dilon Heyliger	USA v Canada	2025

7. LS Livingstone

In 2022, Liam Livingstone scored 32 runs in a single over against the Netherlands during a high-stakes ODI match. Facing PRP Boissevain, Livingstone demonstrated a combination of brute force and tactical acumen, finding gaps and clearing the boundary repeatedly. His over highlighted not just physical power but also mental awareness, anticipating the bowler’s deliveries and field placements. This over is recognized as one of the Most Explosive Overs in ODI Cricket History, showcasing the impact of a single over when executed with precision and intent. The scoring explosion energized his team and significantly shifted the momentum of the match.

Runs	Bowler	Match	Season
32	PRP Boissevain	England v Netherlands	2022

6. Shahid Afridi

Shahid Afridi, known globally for his fearless hitting, produced a sensational over of 32 runs against Sri Lanka at Abu Dhabi in 2007. The over, delivered by CM Bandara, featured multiple towering sixes and boundaries, captivating the crowd and putting immense pressure on the opposition. Afridi’s style combined aggression with timing, making every ball a potential boundary. It is regarded as one of the Most Explosive Overs in ODI Cricket History, representing Afridi’s unmatched ability to dominate an over and influence the game single-handedly. The over is often studied by batters aiming to enhance their power-hitting techniques.

Runs	Bowler	Match	Season
32	CM Bandara	Pakistan v Sri Lanka	2007

5. JDS Neesham

During the 2018/19 season, James Neesham’s 34-run over against Sri Lanka at Mount Maunganui stands as a stellar example of high-pressure batting. Bowled by NLTC Perera, Neesham combined long-range sixes with intelligent running between wickets to accumulate an extraordinary total in just six deliveries. His over demonstrated how modern ODI batters can turn individual overs into game-changing events. This over is celebrated among the Most Explosive Overs in ODI Cricket History, illustrating the effectiveness of combining tactical awareness with power-hitting to dominate an innings and demoralize the opposition.

Runs	Bowler	Match	Season
34	NLTC Perera	New Zealand v Sri Lanka	2018/19

4. AB de Villiers

AB de Villiers, renowned for his versatility and improvisation, scored 34 runs in an over against West Indies during the 2014/15 season in Sydney. Bowled by JO Holder, de Villiers’ over included a combination of clever placements and huge sixes. His ability to anticipate the bowler’s strategy and adapt mid-over exemplifies why this performance is considered one of the Most Explosive Overs in ODI Cricket History. De Villiers’ batting not only accelerated the scoring rate but also showcased the art of controlled aggression and improvisation in modern ODI cricket.

Runs	Bowler	Match	Season
34	JO Holder	South Africa v West Indies	2014/15

3. NLTC Perera

In 2013, NLTC Perera produced an unforgettable over against South Africa at Pallekele, scoring 35 runs off RJ Peterson. The over included multiple sixes and crisp boundaries, demonstrating both his power and precision. Each delivery was attacked with calculated aggression, making it difficult for the bowler to adjust. This performance is frequently cited among the Most Explosive Overs in ODI Cricket History, illustrating the combination of timing, accuracy, and fearless intent that makes an over extraordinary in international cricket.

Runs	Bowler	Match	Season
35	RJ Peterson	Sri Lanka v South Africa	2013

2. JS Malhotra

JS Malhotra’s 36-run over against PNG at Al Amerat in 2021 is an iconic example of flawless power-hitting. Bowled by G Toka, every delivery was sent over the boundary, leaving no room for error. Malhotra’s ability to maintain consistency under pressure marks this over as one of the Most Explosive Overs in ODI Cricket History. It not only set a record for the match but also highlighted how effective a single over can be in dominating the bowling attack and energizing the batting side.

Runs	Bowler	Match	Season
36	G Toka	USA v PNG	2021

1. HH Gibbs

HH Gibbs holds the record for the highest number of runs scored in a single over in ODI cricket, with 36 runs against Netherlands at St. Kitts during the 2006/07 season. Bowled by DLS van Bunge, Gibbs’ over featured perfect sixes on all deliveries, combining timing, power, and precision. This over is universally recognized among the Most Explosive Overs in ODI Cricket History, serving as a benchmark for all power-hitters aiming to dominate an over. Gibbs’ performance remains etched in ODI history for its flawless execution and impact on the game.

Runs	Bowler	Match	Season
36	DLS van Bunge	South Africa v Netherlands	2006/07

The overs listed above exemplify the pinnacle of aggressive batting in ODI cricket. From Kane Williamson’s calculated acceleration to HH Gibbs’ record-breaking display, these overs are perfect examples of the Most Explosive Overs in ODI Cricket History. They highlight the combination of technical skill, mental toughness, and audacity required to maximize every delivery. Each over had the power to change the momentum of the match, thrill spectators, and inspire future generations of batters. These performances remind us that ODI cricket is as much about strategy and placement as it is about sheer power, and a single over can sometimes be enough to etch a player’s name into history.