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Highest Successful Run Chases In ICC ODI Events Finals

Arnav Chopra

New Zealand, India & South Africa (Source: @ICC/X.com)New Zealand, India & South Africa (Source: @ICC/X.com)

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Chasing a massive total is always a big ask, where only the best survive. In the long history of the ICC (International Cricket Council) ODI events, there have been many successful run-chases, especially in the finals of the tournaments.

With everything on the line, teams always strive to give their best when it matters the most. Some give their all with the bat while others exhibit class alongside temperament in tense situations. Therefore, in this article, we will have a look at the highest successful run-chases in the ICC ODI event finals.

4. 248/6 by South Africa vs West Indies, Dhaka, 1998

The number four position on the list is occupied by the strong South African side of the year 1998, as they chased down a record total of 246 against West Indies in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy (then Knockout Trophy), back in the year 1998.

The game that happened at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka saw West Indies putting up 245 on the board after getting bowled out in 49.3 overs. Philo Wallace, with 103, was the top scorer for the Caribbean side, while Carl Hooper put up 49.

From the bowling side, Jacques Kallis was the star of the show with a five-wicket haul in his 7.3 overs. In reply, the Proteas side chased the score in 47 overs with six wickets to spare.

Hansie Cronje was the top scorer with 61 not out, while Mike Rindel’s 49 was the second highest score from the side where the South African team lifted their first ever ICC title, which also remains their lone achievement to date.

3. 254/6 by India vs New Zealand, Dubai, 2025*

At number three on this list is India’s successful chase against New Zealand in the recently concluded Champions Trophy 2025. The high-profile game that took place at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium saw New Zealand putting up 251 on the board after the conclusion of their 50 overs. Where Daryl Mitchell with 63 and Michael Bracewell's 53, were the top scores for the BlackCaps.

Whereas, from the Indian lineup, it was captain Rohit Sharma who put his hand up with a brilliant 76, while Shreyas Iyer’s 48, well supported by KL Rahul’s 34 not out, proved to be the crucial factor in this run chase.

India finished the game with six deliveries and four wickets in hand as they lifted their third ICC Champions Trophy title, to go along with their seventh ICC title overall. India displayed calmness with the bat as they eased the chase with their top-class batters displaying composure on the crease against the strong Kiwi bowling lineup.

2. 265/6 by New Zealand vs India, Nairobi, 2000

The number two position also features India and New Zealand, but the results were contrasting. India batted first in the final of the 2000 edition of the ICC Knockout tournament in Nairobi’s Gymkhana Club ground, where the Men in Blue were able to put up 264 on the board after the end of their 50 overs, as skipper Sourav Ganguly’s magnificent 117 was backed by Sachin Tendulkar’s brilliant 69.

However, despite putting a daunting target of 265, the BlackCaps side, led by Stephen Fleming, finished the game with just two deliveries to spare, in a tense finale, courtesy of Chris Cairns’ 102 not out while Chris Harris’ 46 was the other defining knock for the Kiwis.

The BlackCaps started the chase in a bit of a tumble as they lost their two wickets inside the first six overs. However, Cairns displayed his experience and applied himself against the opposition bowlers to score eight fours and two sixes, as they eventually lifted their first ICC title ever.

1. 277/4 by India vs Sri Lanka, Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, 2011

Finally, the number one chase on this list was done by none other than the Indian side, during the final of the iconic 2011 World Cup that took place in Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. The Sri Lankan side, led by Kumar Sangakkara, won the toss and opted to bat first in Mumbai, as they went on to score 274 for the loss of six wickets in 50 overs.

Mahela Jayawardene was the top performer with 103 not out off just 88 deliveries, while Kumar Sangakkara’s 48 was equally magnificent in the first innings, as Sri Lanka put up a total that looked too good for a finale.

In reply, India were under pressure early on in the innings, losing their two wickets in 6.1 overs with experienced Virender Sehwag and Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar leaving without having much impact on the game.

It was then India’s Gautam Gambhir who played a magnificent 97-run knock off 122 deliveries, while Indian skipper MS Dhoni’s 91 not out under pressure was what separated India from Sri Lanka. Skipper Dhoni finished the iconic run chase with a six on the second delivery of the 49th over as India lifted their second World Cup title with 10 deliveries and six wickets to spare in a high-profile contest.

To date, this game remains one of the most iconic finals in the history of an ICC ODI tournament considering nothing above 275 has ever been chased in the grand finale of the marquee tournament.