Top 5 Highest total in ODI World Cup history

The World Cup has just begun. Records are made to be broken. In the fourth match of the ODI World Cup, South Africa achieved a historic milestone by setting the highest-ever score in the tournament's history, posting an impressive total of 428/5 against Sri Lanka at Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium.

Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to field first, initially making inroads by dismissing South African captain Temba Bavuma for just 8 runs in the second over. However, a remarkable partnership between Quinton de Kock and Rassie van der Dussen, both scoring centuries, added 204 runs to the scoreboard. Aiden Markram's explosive knock of 106 off 54 balls, the fastest-ever century in a World Cup match, further bolstered South Africa's total. This record-breaking performance established South Africa as the team with the highest-ever total in ODI World Cup history.

However, this was not the first time in this World Cup when the Proteas got close to the magical 400 mark. But in the match number 20 also, the South African team locked horns with the defending champions. After being invited to bat first, the South African team mesmiserised the Mumbai crowd at Wankhede Stadium with some superb stroke making and scoring 399 runs in their 50 overs. Heinrich Klaasen was the wrecker in chief with his fiery innings of 109 runs off just 67 deliveries. Marco Jansen provided finishing touches to the innings with his brilliant 75 runs off just 42 deliveries. But it is also worth mentioning that it was initial partnership from Reza Hendricks (85) and Rassie van der Dussen (60) for second wickets which provided firm base for following batter to end the innings strongly. 

Here are the top 5 highest team totals in the history of the ODI World Cup: 

 408/5 - South Africa vs West Indies in Sydney in 2015 

In 2015 South Africa scored 400 plus runs against the two-time World Champions West Indies. Former Protea skipper AB de Villiers scored the fastest 150 runs in this match, at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney. Till then it was the second fastest hundred in World Cup history which was broken by Australian batter Glenn Maxwell, in that very World Cup when the batter hit a 51-ball hundred. De Villiers scored an unbeaten 162 in only 66 balls alongside Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis, and Rilee Rossouw scoring fifties. 

 411/4 - South Africa vs Ireland in Canberra in 2015

In the same World Cup of 2015, South Africa again scored a 400-plus total for their opponents. They posted a total of 411/4 against Ireland, in the 2015 World Cup, opener Hashim Amla scored 159 runs in 128 balls, alongside Faf du Plessis who scored a run-a-ball 109 runs and at the end, David Miller scored a quick 46 runs and Rilee Rossouw smashed 61 runs to take the total 400+. That was the second-highest team total in the tournament.

413/5 - India vs Bermuda in Port of Spain in 2007

India would like to forget this World Cup as they were knocked out of the tournament after losing both their matches against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The match against Bermuda was a mere formality, Virender Sehwag scored 114 runs, with former skipper Sourav Ganguly playing a knock of 89 runs. Yuvraj Singh's 83 runs in only 46 balls made sure India scored over 400 for the first time in its World Cup history. 

 417/6 - Australia vs Afghanistan in Perth in 2015

In 2015 Australia posted their highest-ever total in World Cup history against Afghanistan. The five-time World Champions have been one of the successful sides when it comes to mega-events such as the World Cup. Batting first the Aussies posted a total of 417/6. With veteran opener, David Warner scored 178 runs. With other batters scoring fifties, Steve Smith scored 95 runs along with Glenn Maxwell who played a kock of 88 runs. With their blistering knocks, the Kangaroos scored 400 plus runs. 

428/5 - South Africa vs Sri Lanka in New Delhi in 2023  

South Africa made another record by scoring the highest-ever total in World Cup history. They scored 428/5 against Sri Lanka, in Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium. Aiden Markram scored the fastest-ever hundred in a marquee event. As the batter scored a 49 ball hundred against the Lankans. With opener, Quinton de Kock and Rassie van der Dussen also scoring tons respectively. All three batters looked in complete control over the Lankan bowlers.