The benchmark in ODI cricket for the teams has changed enormously after the beginning of T20 cricket. In the 90s, a score of 250 or more would be hailed as outstanding due to pros for bowlers on the pitches. Then in the early 2000s, a slight advantage to the batsmen was given in terms of the quality of wickets and a total of 300 or more seemed difficult to chase. However, The alteration of decks in support of batting with the augmenting craze of the T20 format has led the teams to score 400 or more in ODIs at present. Putting four hundred plus runs on board is a new normal in 50-over cricket hence let us find out the teams with the most 400+ score in ODI.
Most 400+ Score In ODI By A Team
South Africa
Equally known as the formidable batting and bowling side, South Africa tops the chart of most 400+ scores in ODIs by a team. In 2006, South Africa became the first team to chase a 400+ score against Australia and it was also the maiden time where four hundred team runs were made in ODIs. Since then, with the presence of great batters like AB DE Villiers, Hashim Amla, Faf Du Plessis, and David Miller South Africa has crossed the 400 run mark 7 more occsions. Their latest monumental score emerged against Sri Lanka in Delhi. 428/5 on the 7th of September 2023.
India
Our very own Team India has the 2nd most 400+ scores in ODIs, having crossed it 6 times. India registered their first massive total against Bermuda in the 2007 World Cup, 413/5. The cricket-crazy country has been prominent for being the batting powerhouse over the years. Further, the Men in Blue has registered their other 400+ scores against South Africa, West Indies, and Bangladesh once, while against Sri Lanka they have crossed the vast figure twice.
England
The inventors of cricket who changed the way the game used to be played after 2015 with their aggressive and stylish fashion, England etched their name on the tally of the most 400+ scores in ODIs by a team. The English side recorded their first milestone numbers in 2015 against a strong Kiwi bowling unit containing Trent Boult, Matt Henry, Mitch McClenegan, etc. With the addition of hard hitters like Jos Buttler, Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Eoin Morgan, etc. England plays ruthless cricket and so far got five 400+ scores against different teams every time, including the highest-ever score of 498/4 against the Netherlands.
Australia
Australia may be the top team when it comes to winning the ICC events however, in getting the most 400+ scores in ODIs, they are no 4 with 2 instances. They became the first-ever team to post a four-hundred-plus runs total in ODIs against South Africa in 2006, amassing 434/4 riding on a dashing century by skipper Ricky Ponting. The Kangaroos breached the record mark again in the 2015 World Cup against a meek Afghanistan team, scoring 417/6.
Sri Lanka
The small nation is not known for playing hostile cricket but more in a classy way. Sri Lanka is the third overall and first Asian team to register a 400+ score in ODis. They ticked the unique feat bucket list in 2006 against a poor Netherlands side. Nevertheless, their 2nd mammoth total went in vain as they lost the match to a formidable Indian side by a narrow margin of 4 runs, failing to chase down 415 in Rajkot in 2009.
List of Most 400+ Score in ODI by a Team
| Team | 400+ Scores |
| South Africa | 8 |
| India | 6 |
| England | 5 |
| Australia | 2 |
| Sri Lanka | 2 |
| New Zealand | 1 |
| Zimbabwe | 1 |
South Africa has the most 400+ scores in ODIs (8).
India has made 400+ scores in ODIs 6 times.
Senior Cricket Content Editor at Skyblogs Cricket.
Contact me at info@skyblogs.in