Cricket is full of moments where individual brilliance shines, yet the team still faces defeat. One such scenario is when a player scores a massive personal total in a One Day International (ODI), but their team fails to win. These instances are rare but unforgettable, as they reflect the sheer skill of the player despite the unfortunate outcome. In this article, we explore the Highest Individual Scores in ODI Defeats, highlighting players who gave their all but couldn’t lead their teams to victory.
List of 10 Highest Individual Scores in ODI Defeats
10. RA Smith
In 1993, England’s RA Smith showcased his talent with an unbeaten knock of 167 runs against Australia. This match was held in Birmingham on May 21st, and Smith’s innings remains one of the Highest Individual Scores in ODI Defeats. Despite his valiant effort, England couldn’t overpower the Australians, largely due to insufficient support from other batters. His innings was filled with patience and persistence, but cricket is a team game, and without collective effort, individual brilliance often goes unrewarded. Smith’s performance is still remembered as a shining example of excellence in adversity, firmly placing him among those with the Highest Individual Scores in ODI Defeats.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Runs Scored | 167* |
| Match Innings | 1 |
| Team | England |
| Opposition | Australia |
| Ground | Birmingham |
| Match Date | 21 May 1993 |
| Matches | 1 |
| Runs | 167 |
READ MORE: Top 10 Highest Batting Averages in ODI World Cup History
9. Soumya Sarkar
Bangladesh’s Soumya Sarkar played an extraordinary innings of 169 runs against New Zealand in 2023. Held in Nelson on December 20th, this knock stood out even though Bangladesh suffered a defeat. Sarkar’s power-packed display came in the first innings, but the bowlers failed to defend the total. This makes his innings one of the Highest Individual Scores in ODI Defeats, a testament to his talent and dedication. While the team outcome was disappointing, Sarkar’s performance continues to inspire fans and analysts who admire players that shine despite team losses. His innings firmly belongs in the record books for the Highest Individual Scores in ODI Defeats.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Runs Scored | 169 |
| Match Innings | 1 |
| Team | Bangladesh |
| Opposition | New Zealand |
| Ground | Nelson |
| Match Date | 20 Dec 2023 |
| Matches | 1 |
| Runs | 169 |
8. Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma, the Indian opener, produced a majestic unbeaten innings of 171 runs against Australia in 2016 at the W.A.C.A in Perth. This superb innings is included among the Highest Individual Scores in ODI Defeats, as India couldn’t secure a win despite Rohit’s brilliance. His elegant strokes and flawless technique entertained the crowd, but the bowlers couldn’t contain the Australian batsmen, leading to India’s loss. Such instances remind us that even the Highest Individual Scores in ODI Defeats don’t guarantee victory if the team fails collectively. Rohit’s performance, however, remains one of his finest achievements in international cricket.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Runs Scored | 171* |
| Match Innings | 1 |
| Team | India |
| Opposition | Australia |
| Ground | Perth |
| Match Date | 12 Jan 2016 |
| Matches | 1 |
| Runs | 171 |
7. David Warner
David Warner of Australia hammered 173 runs against South Africa in Cape Town on October 12, 2016. Warner’s explosive innings stands proudly among the Highest Individual Scores in ODI Defeats, as his efforts couldn’t prevent Australia from losing. His attacking play kept Australia in the contest, but South Africa’s disciplined bowling and strong batting display ensured their win. Warner’s valiant knock is remembered as one of the finest examples of individual effort in a losing cause, emphasizing how even the Highest Individual Scores in ODI Defeats sometimes can’t turn the game’s tide.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Runs Scored | 173 |
| Match Innings | 2 |
| Team | Australia |
| Opposition | South Africa |
| Ground | Cape Town |
| Match Date | 12 Oct 2016 |
| Matches | 1 |
| Runs | 173 |
6. Sachin Tendulkar
The iconic Sachin Tendulkar scored a breathtaking 175 runs against Australia in Hyderabad on November 5, 2009. His performance is often cited when discussing the Highest Individual Scores in ODI Defeats, as India narrowly missed out on victory despite his efforts. Tendulkar’s classic shot-making and grace lit up the stadium, yet India fell short of the target. His innings remains a legendary example of fighting spirit in cricket, ensuring his place in the annals of the Highest Individual Scores in ODI Defeats. Fans continue to cherish this innings for its quality and emotional impact.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Runs Scored | 175 |
| Match Innings | 2 |
| Team | India |
| Opposition | Australia |
| Ground | Hyderabad |
| Match Date | 5 Nov 2009 |
| Matches | 1 |
| Runs | 175 |
5. Evin Lewis
West Indies’ Evin Lewis scored an unbeaten 176 runs against England at The Oval on September 27, 2017. This masterful innings is listed among the Highest Individual Scores in ODI Defeats, as West Indies couldn’t defend the target set by Lewis’s brilliance. His powerful hitting gave his side hope, but the bowlers failed to back him up, resulting in a loss. Lewis’s effort is a classic example of how individual heroics can still fall short in cricket, making his name prominent in discussions of the Highest Individual Scores in ODI Defeats.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Runs Scored | 176* |
| Match Innings | 1 |
| Team | West Indies |
| Opposition | England |
| Ground | The Oval |
| Match Date | 27 Sep 2017 |
| Matches | 1 |
| Runs | 176 |
4. Matthew Hayden
Matthew Hayden of Australia crafted a stunning unbeaten 181 runs against New Zealand in Hamilton on February 20, 2007. This performance is etched into history as one of the Highest Individual Scores in ODI Defeats, where despite a huge total, New Zealand managed an extraordinary chase. Hayden’s power-hitting and command at the crease couldn’t stop New Zealand from snatching victory. His innings is a prime example of how cricket can be unpredictable, and even the Highest Individual Scores in ODI Defeats may not secure a win.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Runs Scored | 181* |
| Match Innings | 1 |
| Team | Australia |
| Opposition | New Zealand |
| Ground | Hamilton |
| Match Date | 20 Feb 2007 |
| Matches | 1 |
| Runs | 181 |
3. George Munsey
Scotland’s George Munsey delivered a sensational innings of 191 runs against the Netherlands in Dundee on June 12, 2025. His remarkable feat stands tall among the Highest Individual Scores in ODI Defeats, as Scotland’s bowlers couldn’t defend the imposing total set by Munsey. His aggressive batting style entertained the spectators, but it was not enough to secure a win. Munsey’s name now holds a significant place whenever the Highest Individual Scores in ODI Defeats are discussed in the cricketing world.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Runs Scored | 191 |
| Match Innings | 1 |
| Team | Scotland |
| Opposition | Netherlands |
| Ground | Dundee |
| Match Date | 12 Jun 2025 |
| Matches | 1 |
| Runs | 191 |
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2. Fakhar Zaman
Fakhar Zaman of Pakistan scored a magnificent 193 runs against South Africa in Johannesburg on April 4, 2021. This extraordinary knock is one of the Highest Individual Scores in ODI Defeats, where despite Fakhar’s best efforts, Pakistan fell short. His innings was full of spectacular strokes, keeping Pakistan in contention until the end. Fakhar’s display of resilience and skill ensures his spot in the list of the Highest Individual Scores in ODI Defeats, showing how close yet so far he was from a historic victory.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Runs Scored | 193 |
| Match Innings | 2 |
| Team | Pakistan |
| Opposition | South Africa |
| Ground | Johannesburg |
| Match Date | 4 Apr 2021 |
| Matches | 1 |
| Runs | 193 |
1. Charles Coventry
Zimbabwe’s Charles Coventry holds the top position with his unbeaten 194 runs against Bangladesh in Bulawayo on August 16, 2009. This remains the highest of the Highest Individual Scores in ODI Defeats, a truly remarkable feat. Coventry’s powerful and determined batting couldn’t carry Zimbabwe to victory, but his personal milestone remains iconic. His innings represents the epitome of individual brilliance in a losing cause, making it the benchmark of the Highest Individual Scores in ODI Defeats.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Runs Scored | 194* |
| Match Innings | 1 |
| Team | Zimbabwe |
| Opposition | Bangladesh |
| Ground | Bulawayo |
| Match Date | 16 Aug 2009 |
| Matches | 1 |
| Runs | 194 |
These unforgettable innings underline how cricket can be both a team and individual sport. Players listed here made history with their extraordinary knocks, yet the lack of team success places them under the bittersweet category of the Highest Individual Scores in ODI Defeats. Their efforts remind fans that while cricket is won by teams, individual performances can still etch a player’s name in the record books forever.