In One Day International (ODI) cricket, scoring a massive individual total is always celebrated, but doing so in a match that ends in a loss makes the feat even more remarkable. These innings are examples of personal brilliance under pressure, where batters display incredible skill, temperament, and determination even when their team is unable to win. The following article highlights the Highest Individual Scores in ODI Losses, showcasing the players who scored big yet could not secure victory for their side. The list is presented from the 10th highest to the 1st highest score, along with detailed descriptions and stats tables for each performance.
List of 10 Highest Individual Scores in ODI Losses
10. RA Smith

England’s RA Smith played a remarkable innings, scoring 167 not out against Australia. His performance was a masterclass in patience, shot selection, and timing. Smith consistently rotated the strike, punished loose deliveries, and showed mental toughness throughout the innings. Unfortunately, despite his exceptional batting, England could not win the match. This innings is considered one of the Highest Individual Scores in ODI Losses, highlighting how an individual can excel even when the team fails to secure victory. The innings reflects the pressure of chasing a strong target and demonstrates Smith’s ability to anchor an innings with elegance and efficiency Highest Individual Scores in ODI Losses.
Player | Runs | Opposition | Ground | Match Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
RA Smith | 167* | Australia | Birmingham | 21 May 1993 |
9. Soumya Sarkar

Bangladesh’s Soumya Sarkar delivered an extraordinary performance by scoring 169 runs against New Zealand. His innings was aggressive yet calculated, featuring elegant drives, powerful cuts, and precise running between the wickets. Sarkar’s ability to maintain momentum despite increasing pressure made him a standout performer in the game. Unfortunately, Bangladesh could not convert this effort into a win, making it a memorable entry among the Highest Individual Scores in ODI Losses. The innings shows how skill, technique, and determination can create a brilliant personal performance, even when the team struggles to match the opposition.
Player | Runs | Opposition | Ground | Match Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
Soumya Sarkar | 169 | New Zealand | Nelson | 20 Dec 2023 |
READ MORE: Top 10 ODI Players with Most Stumping Wickets
8. RG Sharma

Indian batsman RG Sharma’s innings of 171 not out against Australia at the W.A.C.A. is celebrated as one of the finest examples of dominance under pressure. Sharma played with confidence and composure, hitting boundaries and rotating the strike efficiently. His ability to play across all formats of the game was evident as he countered the Australian attack. Despite his remarkable effort, India was unable to win, making Sharma’s innings part of the Highest Individual Scores in ODI Losses. This performance is a perfect example of how a player can rise above challenging conditions and deliver a memorable display of skill and concentration.
Player | Runs | Opposition | Ground | Match Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
RG Sharma | 171* | Australia | W.A.C.A | 12 Jan 2016 |
7. DA Warner

Australia’s DA Warner played a spectacular innings of 173 runs against South Africa. Warner combined aggression with smart cricketing sense, constantly punishing loose balls while keeping the scoreboard ticking. His innings included a wide range of strokes from delicate cuts to forceful drives, showcasing his versatility and command over the bowlers. Despite Warner’s phenomenal contribution, Australia failed to chase the target, making this effort one of the Highest Individual Scores in ODI Losses. His performance demonstrates how even extraordinary batting cannot always guarantee team success, yet it leaves a lasting mark in cricket history.
Player | Runs | Opposition | Ground | Match Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
DA Warner | 173 | South Africa | Cape Town | 12 Oct 2016 |
6. SR Tendulkar

India’s legendary batsman SR Tendulkar played a breathtaking innings, scoring 175 runs against Australia in Hyderabad. His flawless technique, elegant strokes, and tactical approach kept the opposition under constant pressure. Tendulkar’s innings displayed patience, timing, and the ability to accelerate when necessary. Even though India could not secure a win, this innings remains part of the Highest Individual Scores in ODI Losses, demonstrating the sheer brilliance of Tendulkar’s skill. It is a prime example of how a master batsman can dominate proceedings and deliver a remarkable personal milestone, irrespective of the final result.
Player | Runs | Opposition | Ground | Match Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
SR Tendulkar | 175 | Australia | Hyderabad | 05 Nov 2009 |
5. E Lewis

West Indies’ E Lewis produced a sensational innings of 176 not out against England. His remarkable combination of power-hitting, timing, and shot placement made this innings a standout performance. Lewis consistently found gaps, punished short balls, and maintained pressure on the opposition bowlers. Despite his extraordinary effort, West Indies could not win the match, making this innings part of the Highest Individual Scores in ODI Losses. Lewis’s performance demonstrates that individual brilliance can shine even when the team falls short, highlighting the challenge of turning personal success into collective victory.
Player | Runs | Opposition | Ground | Match Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
E Lewis | 176* | England | The Oval | 27 Sep 2017 |
4. ML Hayden

Australia’s ML Hayden delivered an extraordinary innings of 181 not out against New Zealand in Hamilton. Hayden’s controlled aggression, timing, and ability to handle pressure made this innings remarkable. He attacked loose deliveries while consolidating when required, showcasing a balance of skill and strategic thinking. Despite his efforts, Australia lost the match, placing Hayden’s innings among the Highest Individual Scores in ODI Losses. This performance highlights the fine line between personal achievement and team success, illustrating how a player can produce world-class cricket under challenging conditions.
Player | Runs | Opposition | Ground | Match Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
ML Hayden | 181* | New Zealand | Hamilton | 20 Feb 2007 |
3. HG Munsey

Scotland’s HG Munsey scored a phenomenal 191 runs against the Netherlands. His innings was a combination of aggressive strokes, intelligent running, and calculated risk-taking. Munsey dominated the bowlers and built partnerships to keep his team in contention. Despite his heroic performance, Scotland could not win, making this one of the Highest Individual Scores in ODI Losses. Munsey’s innings demonstrates how personal excellence can shine in the game, even if the team’s performance is insufficient to claim victory.
Player | Runs | Opposition | Ground | Match Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
HG Munsey | 191 | Netherlands | Dundee | 12 Jun 2025 |
2. Fakhar Zaman

Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman played a dazzling innings of 193 runs against South Africa in Johannesburg. He displayed immense power, precision, and the ability to keep pressure on the bowlers throughout the innings. Zaman’s stroke-making and strategic placement of shots were exceptional. Despite this brilliant effort, Pakistan lost the match, placing Zaman’s innings among the Highest Individual Scores in ODI Losses. His performance shows that even extraordinary individual effort does not always result in victory, but it creates an unforgettable moment in cricket history.
Player | Runs | Opposition | Ground | Match Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
Fakhar Zaman | 193 | South Africa | Johannesburg | 04 Apr 2021 |
READ MORE: Top 10 Highest Individual Scores by Wicketkeepers in ODI History
1. CK Coventry

Zimbabwe’s CK Coventry holds the top position with an incredible 194 not out against Bangladesh in Bulawayo. His innings was a perfect mix of patience, skill, and strategic shot-making. Coventry carefully balanced aggression with stability, punished any loose deliveries, and kept the scoreboard ticking throughout. Despite his outstanding performance, Zimbabwe lost the match, making this innings the highest on record among the Highest Individual Scores in ODI Losses. Coventry’s ability to perform under pressure and play a near-flawless innings ensures his place in cricket history as a remarkable individual achiever.
Player | Runs | Opposition | Ground | Match Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
CK Coventry | 194* | Bangladesh | Bulawayo | 16 Aug 2009 |
In conclusion, the Highest Individual Scores in ODI Losses remind us that cricket is both a team sport and a stage for personal brilliance. These innings prove that a batter can display immense skill, determination, and resilience, even if the match result is not in their team’s favor. From RA Smith’s gritty 167* to CK Coventry’s towering 194*, each performance represents a blend of courage, technique, and mental strength. These extraordinary feats continue to inspire cricket fans worldwide and highlight that true excellence is measured not only by wins but also by the ability to perform under pressure.