South Africa hold the record for the most successful run chase in ODI cricket. They chased down 435 against Australia at the Wanderers on 12 March 2006, finishing on 438/9 and winning by one wicket.
That mark has stood for twenty years, but it has never felt more fragile. India chased 406 against West Indies on 30 September 2026, and Sri Lanka followed on 22 October with 430 against England in Rawalpindi. England had Harry Brook’s 202 off 115 balls and still lost by two wickets.
So what counts as the most successful run chase, and who sits where? Cricket Insider UK has the full top ten below.
Most Successful Run Chases in ODI Cricket
A chase is ranked by the target the batting side completed, so this list shows the ten biggest ever pulled off, excluding matches with a revised target.
| Rank | Team | Target | Scored | Opponent | Venue | Date | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Africa | 435 | 438/9 | Australia | Wanderers Stadium | 12/03/2006 | Won by 1 wicket |
| 2 | Sri Lanka | 430 | 430/8 | England | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium | 22/10/2026 | Won by 2 wickets |
| 3 | India | 406 | 406/2 | West Indies | Barsapara Cricket Stadium | 30/09/2026 | Won by 8 wickets |
| 4 | Netherlands | 375 | 374/9 | West Indies | Takashinga Sports Club | 26/06/2023 | Won in Super Over after scores were tied |
| 5 | South Africa | 372 | 372/6 | Australia | Kingsmead | 05/10/2016 | Won by 4 wickets |
| 6 | Netherlands | 370 | 374/6 | Scotland | Forthill | 12/06/2025 | Won by 4 wickets |
| 7 | England | 361 | 364/4 | West Indies | Kensington Oval | 20/02/2019 | Won by 6 wickets |
| 8 | India | 360 | 362/1 | Australia | Sawai Mansingh Stadium | 16/10/2013 | Won by 9 wickets |
| 9 | Australia | 359 | 359/6 | India | Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium | 10/03/2019 | Won by 4 wickets |
| 10 | England | 359 | 359/4 | Pakistan | County Ground (Bristol) | 14/05/2019 | Won by 6 wickets |
(Source: ESPNcricinfo)
The table tells you who and where. Now for what makes these chases stand out.
Why the Biggest ODI Chases Matter Right Now
Sri Lanka’s win came in the Pakistan ODI Tri Series, and England did plenty right. Harry Brook’s 202 off 115 balls, plus a 159 stand with Joe Root, helped England set a target of 430. It still wasn’t enough.
Here’s what the top ten shows at a glance:
- South Africa, 435: They reached 438/9 at the Wanderers in 2006 and won by one wicket. Australia had posted 434.
- India, 406: They finished on 406/2 at Barsapara and won by eight wickets, just 22 days before Sri Lanka’s chase.
- Netherlands, twice: They tied a chase of 375 against West Indies before winning the Super Over, then chased 370 against Scotland.
- Repeat names: South Africa, India, England and the Netherlands each appear twice.
- Recent surge: Four of the ten chases have come since 2023.
(Source: ESPNcricinfo, Cricket Insider UK)
South Africa’s 435 at the Wanderers Still Stands as the Highest Successful ODI Run Chase
South Africa still own the top spot, and Sri Lanka missed it by just five runs of target. India cleared 400 only 22 days earlier. Together, those two chases show where ODI cricket is heading.
A total of 400 once felt like a closed door, but flat pitches and fearless batting have turned it into a challenge. Expect the record at the Wanderers to face real pressure soon. Keep an eye on Cricket Insider UK for the next chase that breaks into the top ten.
Sources
- Wisden highest ODI chases full list: Verified South Africa’s record 438 chase.
- IBTimes India 406 chase report: Confirmed India’s 406 chase at Guwahati.
- Cricket Insider UK Harry Brook centuries: Confirmed Brook’s 202 at Rawalpindi.
