ESPNcricinfo Awards 2013 ODI batting nominees: Shellackings and jailbreaks
Record-breaking innings dominate the ODI batting shortlist for the year
Kanishkaa Balachandran
08-Jan-2014
James Faulkner: changed the game in one over • BCCI
Martin Guptill
189 not out vs England
second ODI, Southampton
Guptill was in splendid form in the three-match series, scoring his second century in three days in this game. His unbeaten 189 was the highest score by a New Zealander in a one-dayer, beating Lou Vincent's 172 against Zimbabwe. Guptill was dropped on 13, and his subsequent assault, which included 19 fours and two sixes, left England shell-shocked. His century came off 111 balls, and the next 89 runs off just 44. Guptill led New Zealand to an imposing 359 for 3 and set up their unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. He also equalled Viv Richards' 189 at Old Trafford in 1984 for the highest innings against England in an ODI.
189 not out vs England
second ODI, Southampton
Guptill was in splendid form in the three-match series, scoring his second century in three days in this game. His unbeaten 189 was the highest score by a New Zealander in a one-dayer, beating Lou Vincent's 172 against Zimbabwe. Guptill was dropped on 13, and his subsequent assault, which included 19 fours and two sixes, left England shell-shocked. His century came off 111 balls, and the next 89 runs off just 44. Guptill led New Zealand to an imposing 359 for 3 and set up their unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. He also equalled Viv Richards' 189 at Old Trafford in 1984 for the highest innings against England in an ODI.
Rohit Sharma
209 vs Australia
seventh ODI, Bangalore
Rohit, in the middle of a purple patch as an opener, became the third batsman to join the 200 club in ODIs, after Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag. In a match in which bowlers from both sides were bludgeoned, he blasted 16 sixes - a world record - to help India to 383 for 6 in the deciding ODI. He got to his 100 off 114 balls but his second century took just 42 balls; India plundered 151 off the last ten overs. Rohit's contribution was all the more important in the final analysis as Australia made a spirited effort in the chase, falling short by only 57.
209 vs Australia
seventh ODI, Bangalore
Rohit, in the middle of a purple patch as an opener, became the third batsman to join the 200 club in ODIs, after Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag. In a match in which bowlers from both sides were bludgeoned, he blasted 16 sixes - a world record - to help India to 383 for 6 in the deciding ODI. He got to his 100 off 114 balls but his second century took just 42 balls; India plundered 151 off the last ten overs. Rohit's contribution was all the more important in the final analysis as Australia made a spirited effort in the chase, falling short by only 57.
Kane Williamson
145 not out vs South Africa
second ODI, Kimberley
Another century that set up an away series win for New Zealand. Williamson, one of the country's best young batting talents to emerge in the last few years, came in at No. 3 in the third over and batted through the innings. After a cautious start, he settled in for the long haul: his 127-run stand with Grant Elliott was New Zealand's first century partnership of the tour. He hit 17 fours and a six in his unbeaten innings to carry New Zealand to 279 and set up their first series win in any format in South Africa. Given New Zealand's batting horror show in the Tests, Williamson's knock stood out in the memory.
145 not out vs South Africa
second ODI, Kimberley
Another century that set up an away series win for New Zealand. Williamson, one of the country's best young batting talents to emerge in the last few years, came in at No. 3 in the third over and batted through the innings. After a cautious start, he settled in for the long haul: his 127-run stand with Grant Elliott was New Zealand's first century partnership of the tour. He hit 17 fours and a six in his unbeaten innings to carry New Zealand to 279 and set up their first series win in any format in South Africa. Given New Zealand's batting horror show in the Tests, Williamson's knock stood out in the memory.
Shikhar Dhawan
114 vs South Africa
Champions Trophy, Cardiff
The innings that set off India's victorious campaign in England. Dhawan had begun his sensational second coming as an opener on Indian soil a few months earlier, and he wasn't daunted by English conditions. He made South Africa pay for overusing the short-pitched stuff in good batting conditions. After getting hit initially, Dhawan walked out of his crease to swat and pull the seamers. His opening stand of 127 with Rohit Sharma was the bedrock for India's imposing 331 for 7, which South Africa failed to overhaul. Five days later, he followed it up with another century.
114 vs South Africa
Champions Trophy, Cardiff
The innings that set off India's victorious campaign in England. Dhawan had begun his sensational second coming as an opener on Indian soil a few months earlier, and he wasn't daunted by English conditions. He made South Africa pay for overusing the short-pitched stuff in good batting conditions. After getting hit initially, Dhawan walked out of his crease to swat and pull the seamers. His opening stand of 127 with Rohit Sharma was the bedrock for India's imposing 331 for 7, which South Africa failed to overhaul. Five days later, he followed it up with another century.
Kieron Pollard
109 not out vs Australia
fourth ODI, Sydney
At 55 for 6, West Indies looked like folding up for a sub-100 score. But Kieron Pollard wasn't going to give in easily. After the top four fell in single digits, Pollard, in at No. 5, batted till the 50th over, supported by the lower order. His unbeaten 109 included 11 fours, but the big-hitting allrounder restrained himself enough to fetch his first six only in the 46th over. Pollard, who has often struggled for consistency in ODIs, sent a strong message to Australia. It may have been in a losing cause, but his innings was one of the positives for West Indies in their 5-0 drubbing.
109 not out vs Australia
fourth ODI, Sydney
At 55 for 6, West Indies looked like folding up for a sub-100 score. But Kieron Pollard wasn't going to give in easily. After the top four fell in single digits, Pollard, in at No. 5, batted till the 50th over, supported by the lower order. His unbeaten 109 included 11 fours, but the big-hitting allrounder restrained himself enough to fetch his first six only in the 46th over. Pollard, who has often struggled for consistency in ODIs, sent a strong message to Australia. It may have been in a losing cause, but his innings was one of the positives for West Indies in their 5-0 drubbing.
Kumar Sangakkara
134 not out vs England
Champions Trophy, The Oval
One of Sri Lanka's most clinical high-scoring chases in recent times on foreign soil was made possible by an unbeaten century from one of their most experienced hands. Under pressure from the first ball, faced with a target of 294, Sangakkara undid England with nerveless, chanceless calculation. He occasionally played uncharacteristic strokes, yet nothing in his innings seemed rushed or improvised. Nuwan Kulasekara's unexpected promotion to No. 5 was a masterstroke that helped Sri Lanka cut the target to size with remarkable ease. Sangakkara's calm presence at one end was priceless as he batted through after coming in in the third over.
134 not out vs England
Champions Trophy, The Oval
One of Sri Lanka's most clinical high-scoring chases in recent times on foreign soil was made possible by an unbeaten century from one of their most experienced hands. Under pressure from the first ball, faced with a target of 294, Sangakkara undid England with nerveless, chanceless calculation. He occasionally played uncharacteristic strokes, yet nothing in his innings seemed rushed or improvised. Nuwan Kulasekara's unexpected promotion to No. 5 was a masterstroke that helped Sri Lanka cut the target to size with remarkable ease. Sangakkara's calm presence at one end was priceless as he batted through after coming in in the third over.
Virat Kohli
100 not out vs Australia
second ODI, Jaipur
Chasing 360 was made to look ridiculously simple, in dream batting conditions, by centuries from Rohit Sharma and Kohli. Rohit may have scored more (141 not out), but Kohli's knock came off just 52 balls, making it the fastest century by an Indian. The setting was ideal for his uninhibited knock: he walked in with an opening-stand cushion of 176 in 26.1 overs, and proceeded to deflate Australia with eight fours and seven sixes, helping India reach the target with nearly six overs to spare.
100 not out vs Australia
second ODI, Jaipur
Chasing 360 was made to look ridiculously simple, in dream batting conditions, by centuries from Rohit Sharma and Kohli. Rohit may have scored more (141 not out), but Kohli's knock came off just 52 balls, making it the fastest century by an Indian. The setting was ideal for his uninhibited knock: he walked in with an opening-stand cushion of 176 in 26.1 overs, and proceeded to deflate Australia with eight fours and seven sixes, helping India reach the target with nearly six overs to spare.
MS Dhoni
139 not out vs Australia
third ODI, Mohali
Bowlers rarely had their moments in this ODI series, but when Dhoni walked in in Mohali, India were in a bit of trouble at 76 for 4. With Virat Kohli for company, Dhoni turned things around and made a score of 300 possible. He hit one four in his first 67 deliveries but finished with 12 fours and five sixes from 121 balls. His manic assault towards the end included his trademark helicopter shot and towering sixes. The innings enhanced Dhoni's reputation as a man for a crisis - his last ODI century had come in December 2012, when he took India from 29 for 5 to 227 for 6 against Pakistan.
139 not out vs Australia
third ODI, Mohali
Bowlers rarely had their moments in this ODI series, but when Dhoni walked in in Mohali, India were in a bit of trouble at 76 for 4. With Virat Kohli for company, Dhoni turned things around and made a score of 300 possible. He hit one four in his first 67 deliveries but finished with 12 fours and five sixes from 121 balls. His manic assault towards the end included his trademark helicopter shot and towering sixes. The innings enhanced Dhoni's reputation as a man for a crisis - his last ODI century had come in December 2012, when he took India from 29 for 5 to 227 for 6 against Pakistan.
James Faulkner
64 not out vs India
third ODI, Mohali
MS Dhoni's efforts went to waste in the match above, thanks to Faulkner's stunning jailbreak. Chasing 304, Australia seemed out of it when Faulkner walked in at 213 for 6, with the team needing 91 off 53 balls. When it came down to 44 off 18, Faulkner ransacked 30 off a single Ishant Sharma over, which included four sixes and a four. Fittingly, Faulkner sealed the win with a six in the final over. It gave the visitors an unlikely 2-1 lead. And it wasn't the last India saw of Faulkner the batsman in the series.
64 not out vs India
third ODI, Mohali
MS Dhoni's efforts went to waste in the match above, thanks to Faulkner's stunning jailbreak. Chasing 304, Australia seemed out of it when Faulkner walked in at 213 for 6, with the team needing 91 off 53 balls. When it came down to 44 off 18, Faulkner ransacked 30 off a single Ishant Sharma over, which included four sixes and a four. Fittingly, Faulkner sealed the win with a six in the final over. It gave the visitors an unlikely 2-1 lead. And it wasn't the last India saw of Faulkner the batsman in the series.
Quinton de Kock
135 v India
first ODI, Johannesburg
It was the first of three hundreds in the series by the baby-faced South African opener. De Kock led South Africa's assault on an undercooked India in the first match of the tour, his 135 helping set India 359. It was a steady build, and he accelerated only towards the end of his innings. Ninety of his runs came in boundaries alone and that was enough to deflate India. He departed in the 42nd over, but after setting the platform for a brutal assault.
135 v India
first ODI, Johannesburg
It was the first of three hundreds in the series by the baby-faced South African opener. De Kock led South Africa's assault on an undercooked India in the first match of the tour, his 135 helping set India 359. It was a steady build, and he accelerated only towards the end of his innings. Ninety of his runs came in boundaries alone and that was enough to deflate India. He departed in the 42nd over, but after setting the platform for a brutal assault.
Kanishkaa Balachandran is a senior sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo