Can 500 runs get scored in an ODI? Former West Indies opener Chris Gayle has his say

Former West Indies opener Chris Gayle also raised concern over major shift in ODI cricket.

Recently concluded ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in India witnessed several big totals being scored. Favourable batting conditions and boundary rules have made a huge difference in the contest between bat and ball in ODIs. The game’s dimensions are slowly shifting towards batting and bowlers are finding it hard.

Speaking about the World Cup, 48 matches were played and the 350-run mark was breached for a record 13 times in the tournament. South Africa scored the highest total in an innings of 428 against Sri Lanka in Delhi. Now, former West Indian batter Chris Gayle has predicted that even 500 looks possible in an innings in ODI. 500-run mark is yet to be touched in this format. Currently England hold the record of scoring highest total in ODIs – 498/4.

Chris Gayle’s take on changing dimensions of ODI cricket

Universe Boss Chris Gayle said that the game is moving in one dimension with the current rule. Chris Gayle said, “500 runs in an innings in ODI is possible. The boundaries are made a bit smaller for more excitement and entertainment, so you see a lot of sixes being hit. The wickets are a bit better to bat, so it’s a bit harsh on the bowlers and it has become one-sided game sometimes.”

England came closer to the 500-run mark last year against Netherlands in June 2022 when they scored 498 runs against the Dutch. 400-run mark has been crossed five times in the last one year and four of them have come in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. New Zealand almost chased down 389 against Australia, they fell short by just 5 runs in Dharamshala suggesting major shift in the ODIs.

Indian captain Rohit Sharma recently broke Chris Gayle’s record of hitting most sixes in World Cup. Rohit went past Gayle’s number of 49 sixes and is leading the chart currently with 54 sixes. Chris Gayle also reacted to Rohit’s achievement and said, “Before I got the record, someone else did before me… they are made to broken and very good to see these things coming in the game.”

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