Ranking top three innings that came in losing cause in ODIs

Throughout the past years, ODI cricket has given its supporters a lot of special moments. While participating in this unusual game format, several great players have produced some amazing innings.

This format has seen some fantastic innings performed in favour of the winning team, as well as some unbelievable innings played by some heroic players but against the odds. Let’s take a look at the top three innings that came in losing causes

3) Matthew Hayden – 181 vs New Zealand

Before his retirement, Matthew Hayden was best known for his explosive opening innings for the Australian Cricket Team. On Australia’s 2006–2007 tour of New Zealand, he had an explosive game against New Zealand. Australia opted to bat first as they won the toss.

The Australians set a record-breaking total of 346 on the board for the Kiwis to achieve. Hayden scored 181 of his 346 balls. In his frenzied 181-ball innings, Hayden hit 11 boundaries and 10 sixes. He shook the New Zealand team’s bowling lineup. But unfortunately this innings went in vain as Australia lost to a brilliant batting effort by the Kiwis.

2) Charles Coventry – 194* vs Bangladesh

Many of us would not have known Charles Coventry. The third-best batting performance of his career came in an ODI against Bangladesh for Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe chose to bat first in the game after winning the toss and making a difficult first innings total of 312 for the Bangladesh squad to chase.

Coventry scored 194 of the 312 total set by Zimbabwe. This demonstrates the extent of his innings. Coventry’s memorable innings featured 16 boundaries and 7 sixes. He equaled Saeed Anwar’s record-setting 194 against India in 1997, but sadly, Zimbabwe lost the game against Bangladesh by a score of 4 wickets.

1) Sachin Tendulkar – 175 vs Australia

Australia set a lofty target of 350 for India to chase down in 50 overs. The Indian Team’s chase got off to a shaky start as they lost the explosive batter Virender Sehwag in the first 10 overs of the game. On one end, wickets kept tumbling, but Tendulkar remained composed and took advantage of the situation by applying his experience. He had an astounding 175-run inning off just 141 balls, which gave every cricket fan hope right up until the very end of the game. Sadly, despite his heroics, India still lost against Australia just by 3 runs after being all out with two balls left in the game.