Powerplay plays a major role in white ball cricket especially in the One Day internationals because a good score capitalising the fielding restrictions can take a team way ahead of opponents. The nature of the pitches changes with the time in the One day format so often teams do not end as they start, making the powerplay effort of the batters the match-deciding factor. In the grand World Cup too it goes the same way, let’s learn about the teams with the most runs in powerplay in ODI World Cup history.
Australia- 118/0
The five-time champion Australia leads the chart of most runs in the powerplay in World Cup history. In the group game against their neighbour New Zealand, the duo of David Warner and Travis Head inflicted carnage on a strong Kiwi bowling attack containing Boult, Henry, and Ferguson, amassing 118 with no loss in the first 10 overs. Warner made 65* while Head contributed with 50* in the partnership.
New Zealand- 116/2
New Zealand displayed one of the most aggressive and merciless power-hitting during their group game against England in the 2015 World Cup in Wellington. After packing the English side for a mere 123 runs, skipper McCullum wanted to wind up the innings quickly. He took the bowlers to cleaners with 8 fours and 7 sixes on the way to his blitzkrieg 77 off 25 balls. The score of the hosts read 116 runs for 2 wickets after the end of the powerplay.
Sri Lanka- 94/2
Sri Lanka has not been known for playing fearless cricket but in the 2023 edition, they changed their approach and scored the 3rd most runs in powerplay in World Cup history. In the pursuit of chasing 429 runs against South Africa in Delhi, Kusal Mendis unleashed an onslaught on South African bowlers, smacking them for 7 sixes and 5 fours to position his team strongly at 94/2 after 10 overs in the mammoth run-chase.
India- 94/0
The team who lifted the coveted trophy twice, India looked in a different mode in the 12th installment of the quadrennial event. They mustered their highest powerplay score against Afghanistan in Delhi, 94 for nill riding on skipper Rohit Sharma’s blitz of unbeaten 76 off 43 balls. The swashbuckling batter charged at every Afghan bowler and annihilated them with his batting prowess.
India- 91/1
India once again etched their name on this elite list of most runs in powerplay in the World Cup This time a standard Proteas bowling attack was their victim in Kolkata during their 8th group game in the 2023 World Cup. The three-time double-century scorer, Rohit, and sensational Gill produced a breathtaking batting exhibition, amassing 40 and 23 runs respectively. Virat Kohli also chipped in 18 off 14 deliveries to take India to a strong position of 91/1 post 10 overs which later turned out to be a vital factor in registering victory.
List of Most Runs in Powerplay in ODI World Cup
| Team | Score | Against | Year | Venue |
| Australia | 118/0 | New Zealand | 2023 | Dharamshala |
| New Zealand | 116/2 | England | 2015 | Wellington |
| Sri Lanka | 94/2 | South Africa | 2023 | Delhi |
| India | 94/0 | Afghanistan | 2023 | Delhi |
| India | 91/1 | South Africa | 2023 | Kolkata |
| India | 91/0 | Netherlands | 2023 | Bangalore |
| India | 87/0 | South Africa | 2011 | Nagpur |
| Sri Lanka | 87/0 | Australia | 2019 | The Oval |
| India | 82/3 | Netherlands | 2011 | Delhi |
| Australia | 82/0 | Pakistan | 2023 | Bangalore |
| Sri Lanka | 81/1 | Kenya | 2011 | Colombo |
Which team has the highest score in powerplay in the World Cup?
Australia has the highest score in powerplay in the 2011 World Cup, 118/0.
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