There were several innings which were played throughout the year 2023. But there are certain innings which etched in the minds of all cricketing fans. Innings like these influence the young breed of cricketers to take up the game. Throughout the innings also there have been innings like this which would have inspired younger generations. Many of these iconic innings were played at the grandest stage of all, the ODI World Cup 2023. Let us now go down the memory lane and relive the iconic innings:
5. Shubman Gill 208 against New Zealand
Shubman Gill 208 vs NZ (Source: Twitter)
Shubman Gill delivered an outstanding performance, smashing his first double-century as India secured a 12-run victory over New Zealand in the opening match of the three-game ODI series at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Uppal on Wednesday. Gill’s remarkable innings of 208 runs from 149 balls propelled India to a massive total of 349 for the loss of eight wickets, featuring 19 boundaries and 9 sixes. Despite a challenging chase, New Zealand’s Michael Bracewell mounted a counter-attacking century, scoring a breathtaking 140 off 78 balls. However, India’s bowlers, after some initial setbacks, regrouped to secure a thrilling win. The match remained on a knife’s edge, but India ultimately emerged victorious by 12 runs.
4. Fakhar Zaman 126* against New Zealand
Fakhar Zaman 126* vs NZ (Source: Twitter)
Despite facing considerable challenges, Pakistan managed to stay in the World Cup. In a match where they delivered one of their most lacklustre bowling performances in World Cup history, New Zealand, powered by a century from Rachin Ravindra and 95 from the returning Kane Williamson, accumulated a formidable total of 401. It is also the highest in World Cup history.
However, an astonishing counterattack led by Fakhar Zaman, who scored an unbeaten 126 in 81 balls, kept Pakistan in line with the required run rate according to the DLS method, especially with the looming threat of rain during much of the second innings. Throughout his innings, Zaman hit eight boundaries and 11 humongous sixes.
3. Mohammad Rizwan 131* against Sri Lanka
Mohammad Rizwan 131* vs SL (Source: Twitter)
Mohammed Rizwan’s 131 is one of the best innings that the game would have seen from the wicketkeeper batter. This innings from the wicketkeeper batter against Sri Lanka in the ODI World Cup 2023 helped Pakistan win a crucial game. In pursuit of 345 runs, Pakistan faced a dismal beginning, losing Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam early on and finding themselves in trouble at 37/2 within the powerplay.
However, Mohammad Rizwan and Abdullah Shafique orchestrated a commendable recovery, forging a splendid partnership of 176 runs for the third wicket. Mohammad Rizwan, staying unbeaten at 131*, played a pivotal role in guiding Pakistan to a historic victory by successfully chasing down the target of 345 in just 49 overs. Rizwan hit eight boundaries and three sixes.
2. Travis Head 137 against India
Travis Head 137 vs IND (Source: Twitter)
Once again, Travis Head has emerged as a formidable adversary for India in the final of a significant tournament. In June, the left-handed batsman earned the Player of the Match title as Australia secured a 209-run victory over India in the World Test Championship final at the Kennington Oval in London. During that match, Head displayed a stellar performance, scoring 163 runs off 174 balls, adorned with 25 fours and one six.
Fast forward five months, and Head has returned to haunt India once more. This time, in the final of the 2023 World Cup at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, he crafted a century, amassing 137 runs off 120 deliveries, including 15 fours and four sixes. Head’s remarkable innings played a pivotal role as Australia clinched their sixth World Cup title in men’s cricket. Head hit 15 boundaries and four sixes.
1. Glenn Maxwell 201 against Afghanistan
Maxwell 201 vs AFG (Source: Twitter)
Maxwell’s 201 is arguably one of the best ODI innings that have been played in the history of the game. In the World Cup 2023 match against Afghanistan at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, Australian batter Glenn Maxwell delivered a sensational performance. Maxwell’s outstanding innings saw him score an unbeaten 201 runs from 128 balls. Innings featured an impressive 21 fours and 10 sixes and maintained a remarkable strike rate of 157.03.
Thanks to Maxwell’s exceptional contribution, Australia successfully chased down a challenging target of 292. They chased it with 19 balls to spare in their innings. At one stage, Australia found themselves in a precarious position at 91 for seven in 18.3 overs before Glenn Maxwell took charge and delivered an extraordinary performance.
