In the enthralling realm of One Day International (ODI) cricket, where every delivery is laden with significance, reaching a century is deemed a monumental feat. Yet, there exists a rare echelon of batsmen who not only breach the three-figure mark but surge beyond, racing to the monumental milestone of 150 runs in record time. These remarkable innings are a symphony of power, precision, and sheer cricketing brilliance. In this extensive exploration, we delve into the annals of cricket history to uncover the top five fastest 150 scores in ODI cricket.
1.AB De Villiers –Â vs. West Indies (2015)
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150 in 64 Balls
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AB De Villiers
The year 2015 bore witness to an awe-inspiring spectacle in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. To begin with, AB De Villiers, the maestro from South Africa, orchestrated an innings that left the cricketing world agog. Pitted against the formidable West Indies, he sculpted an unbeaten 166 runs in a mere 66 balls, reaching the 150-run milestone with astonishing celerity, requiring just 64 deliveries. Additionally, his incredible innings featured a dazzling array of 8 fours and an astonishing 17 sixes, culminating in a blistering strike rate of 245.
While De Villiers tantalizingly fell short of the elusive double century, his virtuoso performance catapulted South Africa to a daunting total of 408/5. Consequently, in response, West Indies could muster only 151 runs, underscoring the seismic impact of De Villiers’ extraordinary knock.
2. Jos Buttler –Â vs. Netherlands (2022)
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150 in 65 Balls
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Jos Buttler
Jos Buttler, the custodian of England’s wicket and a destructive batsman, etched his name in the annals of cricket history during an ODI encounter against the Netherlands in 2022. Buttler strode to the crease with England comfortably poised at 223/2 in the 30th over. He exhibited no inclination to bide his time, unleashing a relentless assault on the Netherlands’ bowling brigade. With astonishing alacrity, he notched up his 150 in a mere 65 balls. His remarkable innings was embellished with an astounding tally of 14 sixes and 7 fours. Buttler’s explosive pyrotechnics contributed significantly to England’s towering total. He culminated his innings undefeated, wielding an imposing tally of 162 runs off a mere 70 balls, an exhibition that merited the accolade of the match’s most valuable player.
3. Jos Buttler – vs. West Indies (2019)
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150 in 76 Balls
Jos Buttler, a harbinger of mayhem for opposing bowlers, further fortified his reputation as a consummate power hitter during an ODI clash against the West Indies in 2019. Notably, he achieved the coveted milestone of 150 on the 76th delivery of his innings, executing a display of power-hitting that bordered on the divine. To elaborate further, Buttler’s audacious innings featured a dozen sixes and an audacious tally of 13 fours. Additionally, his blistering strike rate of 194.80 bore testament to his whirlwind innings. Consequently, Buttler’s ballistic foray with the bat played a pivotal role in securing England’s triumph on that occasion. Ultimately, this performance culminated in his deservingly being bestowed with the title of the “player of the match.”
4. Heinrich Klaasen – vs. Australia (2023)
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150 in 77 Balls
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Heinrich Klaasen
Heinrich Klaasen, a formidable presence in South Africa’s middle order, unfurled an extraordinary exhibition of power hitting just before the commencement of the 2023 World Cup. Confronting the formidable Australian bowling juggernaut in a home ODI contest, Klaasen entered the fray with resolute intent. His scintillating performance culminated in him reaching the coveted 150-run milestone within a brisk 77 balls. The innings was punctuated with an astonishing 13 sixes and an equal number of fours, delineating Klaasen’s ruthless approach to dismantling world-class bowling attacks. Klaasen’s masterful exhibition left an indelible imprint, serving as a harbinger of his ability to dominate the crease against the very best.
5. Shane Watson – vs. Bangladesh (2011)
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150 in 83 Balls
Shane Watson, the illustrious Australian all-rounder, inscribed his name in the annals of cricketing history during a blazing innings against Bangladesh in 2011. To illustrate, Watson’s scintillating knock of 185 runs in just 96 balls was nothing short of an exhibition of unbridled aggression. Furthermore, his undeniable prowess and incredible power came to the fore as he notched up the milestone of 150 runs on the 83rd delivery he faced. Moreover, Watson’s annihilative batting capabilities truly shone as he embellished the innings with a staggering tally of 16 sixes and an impressive 15 fours. Consequently, Australia dominated and successfully chased down Bangladesh’s total of 230 runs, punctuating their dominant triumph with Watson’s sublime performance. In recognition of his outstanding performance, he rightfully earned the distinguished accolade of “player of the match” for Australia.
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Conclusion
These extraordinary innings by AB De Villiers, Jos Buttler, Heinrich Klaasen, and Shane Watson not only exemplify their incredible batting abilities but also underline their profound impact on the landscape of ODI cricket. These prodigious talents have not merely pushed the boundaries; they have obliterated them, serving as beacons of inspiration for cricket enthusiasts worldwide.
