Till date, just 7 instances where a team scored 15 or more runs in the final of an ODI have been recorded. Among those 7 instances, only three have been recorded in the past decade, and none in the last six years, and two of them even before the T20 format’s debut.
Read on to find out the most successful chases in the final of an ODI match.
5.15 runs by India vs Sri Lanka in 2013:
Shortly after winning the 2013 Champions Trophy, the Indian team toured West Indies to be part of an ODI Tri-series that included Sri Lanka as the third side. The two Asian giants met up at Queen’s Park Oval in the final match. Sri Lanka raced to 171/2 by 38th over but lost their last 8 wickets for just 30 runs and was bundled out for just 201.
With only 27 runs on the board, India lost Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli cheaply on 11th over. But, with a couple fifty-run partnerships, Rohit Sharma has put India on top.
Rohit added 50 runs with Dinesh Karthik in 74 balls and a 62-run stand with Suresh Raina in just 48 balls as India reached 139/3 by 31st over. India stood favourites to win, as the required rate was reading only 3.31. On the first ball of the 32nd over, Rangana Herath cleaned up Rohit.
Rohit scored 58 from 89 balls, and then Raina fell a few of overs scoring a 27-ball 32. Soon India were reduced to 167/8 by 42nd over but just 35 runs away from winning the title.
The Indian skipper MS Dhoni returned for this match after sustaining a back injury in the tournament opener. He’s been occupied from one end and taking the game as deep as possible. India lost its 9th wicket at the score of 182 in the 47th over. Over the next 14 balls, India could only score 5 runs leaving 15 runs to be chased in the final over for Shaminda Eranga to be bowled. Dhoni was batted on 29 off 48 balls, and failed to connect the first ball of the 50th over.
Dhoni’s second ball was fuller and in reach. He capitalized on the opportunity and sent the ball straight to the stand’s roof. The next ball took the edge of Dhoni bat and flew for a boundary over point area. The Sri Lankan team had a brief conversation with just 5 runs to get out of 3 balls but Eranga ended up bowling a length ball that was smashed over extra cover for a maximum by Dhoni. He sealed a 1-wicket win for India with an unbeaten 52-ball 45.
