The world of cricket has witnessed numerous batting feats, each etching its own unique mark on the game’s rich tapestry. Among these remarkable achievements, the double century– scoring 200 runs in a […]
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Feb 21, 2024 12:06 pm
The world of cricket has witnessed numerous batting feats, each etching its own unique mark on the game’s rich tapestry. Among these remarkable achievements, the double century– scoring 200 runs in a single ODI innings– stands as a testament to a batsman’s exceptional skill and power.
However, even within this illustrious realm, some knocks stand out for their sheer blistering pace. This article delves into the electrifying world of the fastest double centuries in ODI history, focusing on the top three based on the number of balls faced, each one a whirlwind of strokeplay that left audiences awestruck.
1. Ishan Kishan (126 balls)
On a sultry December afternoon in Chattogram in 2022, the young Ishan Kishan rewrote the record books. Facing a potent Bangladeshi bowling attack, Kishan unleashed an innings of unimaginable brutality. The ball disappeared to all corners of the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium as he launched into a relentless assault. Sixes were struck with nonchalant ease, boundaries found at will, and the scoreboard ticked over at an alarming rate.
He struck 24 boundaries and 10 sixes, bringing up the double hundred in just 126 balls, shattering the previous record held by Chris Gayle by a massive 138 deliveries. Kishan’s innings were an exhibition of clean hitting, audacious strokeplay, and unwavering self-belief, leaving the Bangladeshi bowlers shell-shocked and the crowd in a state of delirium.
2. Glenn Maxwell (128 balls)
Glenn Maxwell (Source – X)
The enigmatic Glenn Maxwell has always been known for his explosive batting style, and in Mumbai during the 2023 World Cup, he produced an innings that epitomized his fearlessness. Chasing Afghanistan’s total 291, Maxwell walked in with the Aussies in all sorts of trouble at 49-2 which later became 91-7. Maxwell went on to play a once-in-a-lifetime innings, dispatching the bowlers to all parts of the ground with his characteristic unorthodox strokeplay. His innings included 21 boundaries and 10 maximums.
The sixes flowed freely, each one bigger and more audacious than the last. He reached his double-century off just 128 balls, the second-fastest in ODI history, and took Australia home from a position in which no one gave them the slightest of chances. The fact that he played the innings while going through extreme cramps in his legs and back made it all the more special and iconic.
3. Pathum Nissanka (136 balls)
Today in the 1st ODI of the ongoing series between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, Pathum Nissanka etched his name into the record books with a breathtaking double century in Pallekele. Nissanka, known for his elegant strokeplay and classical technique, surprised everyone with the sheer brutality of his innings. However, initially, he played some lovely strokes, finding the boundaries with ease and punishing any loose deliveries with disdain.
He reached his century in 88 balls and that is when the real assault started. Nissanka’s innings were a blend of power and finesse, showcasing his ability to adapt to different situations and dominate attacks with his clean hitting. His innings, which included 20 boundaries and 8 sixes have received a lot of plaudits from fans and pundits all around the world. The knock guided Sri Lanka to a total of 381 in the first innings and they are well-placed to win the game at the moment.
