Highest Partnership in ODI Cricket – Full List, Records & History
In One Day International (ODI) cricket, partnerships are the backbone of big totals. When two batters settle at the crease and build momentum together, they can completely change the direction of a match. Many legendary players such as Sachin Tendulkar, Chris Gayle, Sourav Ganguly, David Warner, Tamim Iqbal, Quinton de Kock, and Yuvraj Singh have produced extraordinary partnerships that helped their teams dominate on the global stage.
Over the years, ODI cricket has witnessed many massive stands where two batters added 250–300+ runs together. These partnerships not only set up huge totals but also broke long-standing records, entertained fans, and became unforgettable pieces of cricketing history.
This article highlights the highest partnerships in ODI cricket, along with detailed match summaries and the complete list of top stands by any wicket.
What Is the Highest Partnership in ODI Cricket?
The highest partnership in ODI cricket is 372 runs, made by Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels for the 2nd wicket for West Indies against Zimbabwe during the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup. This partnership took place in Canberra on 24 February 2015.
Chris Gayle smashed a double century (215 off 147 balls), becoming the first West Indian to score an ODI double hundred. Marlon Samuels supported him with a superb century, helping West Indies post a massive total.
This record remains unbeaten and is widely considered one of the most destructive batting displays in ODI history.
Top ODI Partnerships – Detailed Breakdown
Below are the top performances with match context and contributions from the batters involved.
**1. Chris Gayle & Marlon Samuels – 372 Runs
West Indies vs Zimbabwe | Canberra | 2015**
This iconic partnership exploded in the World Cup match at Canberra. Gayle launched a storm with 16 sixes and 10 fours, while Samuels played perfectly second fiddle with a controlled century. Their partnership set the tone for West Indies’ massive win and remains the highest ODI partnership ever.
**2. John Campbell & Shai Hope – 365 Runs
West Indies vs Ireland | Dublin | 5 May 2019**
The second-highest partnership also belongs to the West Indies. John Campbell (179) and Shai Hope (170) destroyed the Irish bowling attack with almost identical scores. Their 365-run opening stand powered the West Indies to a giant total of 381, securing a victory by 196 runs.
**3. Sachin Tendulkar & Rahul Dravid – 331 Runs
India vs New Zealand | Hyderabad | 8 Nov 1999**
Two of India’s greatest batsmen produced magic when they added 331 runs for the 2nd wicket. Sachin scored an unbeaten 186, while Dravid added 153. The pair dominated New Zealand bowlers throughout and helped India post 376. This was India’s highest ODI partnership for many years.
**4. Sourav Ganguly & Rahul Dravid – 318 Runs
India vs Sri Lanka | Taunton | 1999 World Cup**
In the 1999 World Cup, Ganguly and Dravid compiled a brilliant 318-run stand. Ganguly hit 183, while Dravid contributed 145. India went on to defeat Sri Lanka by a huge margin. This partnership held India’s record until the Sachin-Dravid stand surpassed it later that year.
**5. Imam-ul-Haq & Fakhar Zaman – 304 Runs
Pakistan vs Zimbabwe | Bulawayo | 20 Jul 2018**
Pakistan openers Fakhar Zaman (210 off 156 balls) and Imam-ul-Haq (113) produced a dominating 304-run partnership. Fakhar also became the first Pakistani to score a double century in ODIs during this match, making it one of Pakistan’s most memorable batting performances.
Full List: Highest Partnerships in ODI Cricket
Below is the complete list of the top ODI partnerships for any wicket:
| Partners (Team) | Runs | Opponent | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CH Gayle & MN Samuels (West Indies) | 372 | Zimbabwe | Canberra | 24 Feb 2015 |
| John Campbell & Shai Hope (West Indies) | 365 | Ireland | Dublin | 5 May 2019 |
| Sachin Tendulkar & Rahul Dravid (India) | 331 | New Zealand | Hyderabad | 8 Nov 1999 |
| Sourav Ganguly & Rahul Dravid (India) | 318 | Sri Lanka | Taunton | 26 May 1999 |
| Imam-ul-Haq & Fakhar Zaman (Pakistan) | 304 | Zimbabwe | Bulawayo | 20 Jul 2018 |
| Tamim Iqbal & Liton Das (Bangladesh) | 292 | Zimbabwe | Sylhet | 6 Mar 2020 |
| Ishan Kishan & Virat Kohli (India) | 290 | Bangladesh | Chattogram | 10 Dec 2022 |
| Upul Tharanga & Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) | 286 | England | Leeds | 1 Jul 2006 |
| David Warner & Travis Head (Australia) | 284 | Pakistan | Adelaide | 26 Jan 2017 |
| Quinton de Kock & Hashim Amla (South Africa) | 282* | Bangladesh | Kimberley | 15 Oct 2017 |
| Upul Tharanga & Tillakaratne Dilshan (Sri Lanka) | 282 | Zimbabwe | Pallekele | 10 Mar 2011 |
| Mohammad Azharuddin & Ajay Jadeja (India) | 275* | Zimbabwe | Cuttack | 9 Apr 1998 |
| James Marshall & Brendon McCullum (New Zealand) | 274 | Ireland | Aberdeen | 1 Jul 2008 |
| David Warner & Travis Head (Australia) | 269 | England | Melbourne | 22 Nov 2022 |
| Grant Elliott & Luke Ronchi (New Zealand) | 267* | Sri Lanka | Dunedin | 23 Jan 2015 |
| Aamer Sohail & Inzamam-ul-Haq (Pakistan) | 263 | New Zealand | Sharjah | 20 Apr 1994 |
Why Do Big ODI Partnerships Matter?
Large partnerships are crucial in ODI cricket because:
1. They Set Up Big Totals
Any partnership of 200+ runs almost guarantees a score above 300, putting pressure on the opposition.
2. They Break Bowler Momentum
When two set batters dominate, bowlers lose rhythm and often try too many variations, leading to more scoring opportunities.
3. They Build Match-winning Platforms
Many of the partnerships listed above resulted in massive victories.
4. They Create Records That Stand for Years
Some partnerships, like Gayle–Samuels or Sachin–Dravid, become legendary moments remembered for decades.
Conclusion
The highest partnerships in ODI cricket showcase teamwork, skill, patience, and explosive hitting. From Chris Gayle’s world-record 372-run stand to India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Australia, and Sri Lanka’s unforgettable partnerships, ODI cricket has produced some extraordinary batting performances.
These partnerships are not just about runs—they represent dominance, chemistry, and the ability of two batters to single-handedly take the game away from the opposition.
