India vs Pakistan: Top Batting Performances in ODIs

The India-Pakistan cricket rivalry

The Indo-Pak cricket rivalry is one of the most intense sporting rivalries in the world. The players are under immense pressure to win in these matches with losses resulting in extreme reactions from the supporters. The two nations are extremely passionate about their cricket and when it comes to playing against each other their passion is beyond any expression.

The India-Pakistan cricket matches are some of the most viewed broadcasts in both countries. The estimated viewership of this match is nearly 1.5 billion which is more than double the number that watches the El Classico. The build-up to these matches is always exciting. So let's have a look at the top 5 batting performances given by the players in these intense, high-pressure matches.

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#5 Dhoni 113*, Chennai,2003

One of Dhoni's finest knocks

This knock is the only knock in this list which featured in a losing cause. In the first match of the three-match series between India and Pakistan, Misbah won the toss and elected to field first. The bowling duo of Junaid Khan and Mohammad Irfan decimated the Indian top and middle order reducing India to 29 for 5 when Dhoni arrived at the batting crease.

Dhoni rescued India and got them to a respectable score. Dhoni played a very mature innings and scored his 8th ODI hundred. He scored 113 of 125 balls which included seven boundaries and three sixes. He added 73 runs for the 6th wicket with his CSK teammate Suresh Raina and then another 125 with Ravi Ashwin and got India to a respectable total of 227/6.

Looking at the situation India were in, this Dhoni special makes it to this list.

#4 Saeed Anwar 194, Chennai,1997

Anwar's 194 stayed the highest score in ODIs for 13 years

On a hot and humid day in Chennai, India and Pakistan took the field for a group match of the 1997 Independence Cup. On this day Anwar with his brute force pulled, cut and drove his way to break the 13-year-old record for the highest individual score in ODIs, then held by Sir Viv Richards for his 189* against England. Anwar's 194 included twenty-two boundaries and five sixes. He held the record for the highest individual score in ODIs for the next 13 years. This record was coincidentally broken by Sachin Tendulkar who took his wicket when Anwar was on 194.

Powered by Anwar's 194 Pakistan reached 327/5. In the second innings, India were bowled out for 292 which included a fighting hundred from Rahul Dravid.

#3 Virat Kohli 183, Dhaka,2012

The chase master showed his class

In a group stage match in the 2012 Asia Cup, Pakistan had put a big total of 329 on the board with the help of centuries from openers Nasir Jamshed and Mohammad Hafeez. With a target of 330, India lost Gambhir in the first over. Then walked in Virat Kohli and played one of the best knocks of his career scoring 183 of 148 balls which included twenty-two boundaries and two sixes.

He managed to keep the required run rate in control throughout his innings and turned a stiff chase into a cakewalk. This innings came against a strong Pakistani bowling attack which included the likes of Shahid Afridi, Umar Gul, Junaid Khan and Saeed Ajmal.

#2 Sachin Tendulkar 98, Centurian,2003

Sachin himself describes the innings of 98 runs against Pakistan in the 2003 World Cup as one of his best knocks. Pakistan batted first and scored 273/6 in their quota of 50 overs with the help of Saeed Anwar's 101. India were chasing a stiff target in a much anticipated World Cup clash between the arch-rivals. Sachin and Sehwag started off with all guns blazing, giving India a solid start of 52/0 in 5.2 overs.

Sachin scored a majestic 98 of just 75 balls which included twelve fours and a six. This innings is well remembered by every Indian cricket fan who was able to witness the innings live. Sachin was virtually unstoppable until his hamstring hampered his movement. The pressure of playing the 'arch enemy' had brought out the best out in Sachin, who kept sending the spectators and commentators into raptures with his strokes. India comfortably won the match with 26 balls to spare.

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#1 Fakhar Zaman 114, London,2017

Pakistan had entered the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 as the lowest ranked team in the tournament. With some good teamwork, they had made it to the Finals of the tournament but India were the clear favorites to win the match. Virat Kohli won the toss and elected to bowl first.

Fakhar Zaman had come into the tournament with no international experience but the way he batted in the Final it seemed like he just belonged there. The start of his inning was scratchy, when he was not finding the middle of the bat. Moreover, he got an extra life due to Bumrah's no ball when he was on 3 but he rode his luck to end with an innings of 114 from 106 balls which had twelve boundaries and three sixes in them.

A sublime hundred, against rivals India, in a final, it just couldn't have got bigger. With the help of this hundred Pakistan reached a score of 338/4 in their quota of 50 overs. In reply, India's batting line-up crumbled against Mohammad Amir and Hassan Ali and India were bowled out for a mere 158.