Top 3 highest individual scores as captain in ODIs

One of the most important and the toughest jobs is that of a captain. While some captains lift the team's chances of winning with their brilliant tactics in terms of setting the field and choosing the bowler for the over, there are some captains who have done incredibly well with the bat and led the team to famous wins.

Some captains play with the extra responsibility when leading the side and are always looking to score big, thus, led the team from the front. In this article, we take a look at three of the highest individual scores as captain in one-day internationals:

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#3 Sanath Jayasuriya - 189 vs India, 2000

Sanath Jayasuriya punished the Indian bowlers in the way only he could

Sanath Jayasuriya was known for his ruthless hitting during his playing days. He took the attack to the bowlers from the word go and even the best of the lot were scared to bowl to the Sri Lankan legend.

In the Coca-Cola Champions Trophy Final in 2000, Jayasuriya played a terrific knock and punished the Indian bowlers in the way only he could. He scored 189 off 161 before getting stumped by Dahiya off Ganguly's bowling. He hit 21 fours and 4 sixes and lifted Sri Lanka to a very good total of 299-5 in 50 overs.

In reply, India got all-out for a paltry score of 54 with Chaminda Vaas picking up 5 wickets. Jayasuriya who was awarded the Man of the Match also won the Man of the Series award for scoring 413 in 5 innings at a breath-taking average of 82.60.

#2 Rohit Sharma - 208* vs Sri Lanka, 2017

Rohit Sharma's love affair with double-centuries is nothing new

In the last few years, Rohit Sharma has produced innumerable game-winning knocks for his country and his presence has strengthened the batting lineup greatly. His love affair with double-centuries is nothing new and he scored one of his three double-centuries as a captain.

With Kohli given rest for the 3-ODI series against Sri Lanka, the onus was on Rohit to lead the team from the front with his batting performances. After losing the first ODI with a very dismal performance, India came back for the 2nd ODI with the series on the line. Rohit Sharma exploded for his third double-century in one day cricket, a feat unheard of.

Batting first, the Mumbai batsman took India to a mammoth total of 392-4 in 50 overs. He remained unbeaten on 208 off 153 balls, with 13 fours and 12 huge sixes. Chasing such a huge total was always going to be tough for the visitors and they lost the game by a huge margin of 141 runs.

The skipper deservedly took home the Man of the Match trophy.

#1 Virender Sehwag - 219 vs West Indies, 2011

Virender Sehwag led the team like a true leader and went on to score a double-ton

West Indies toured India for a 5-ODI series in 2011. After losing the 3rd ODI in a very closely-fought contest, the hosts entered the 4th ODI with a 2-1 lead, aiming to take the series. In the 4th ODI at Indore, Virender Sehwag did not disappoint and played a crucial captain's knock, leading India from the front and helping the Men in Blue post a mammoth total of 418-5 in 50 overs.

Sehwag bludgeoned 219 off just 149 balls, accompanied by 25 fours and 7 sixes. He added 176-runs for the opening wicket with Gautam Gambhir and 140 runs for the second wicket with Suresh Raina. This was Sehwag's 15th (and last) ODI century which was also his first ever double century in one-day cricket.

In return, West Indies got all-out for 265 in 49.2 overs with Jadeja and Rohit Sharma, each picking up 3 wickets. Sehwag was adjudged the Man of the Match.