Cricket has always been a sport of thrilling moments, where a single over can change the course of a match. In One Day Internationals (ODIs), batting fireworks often lead to overs that bowlers would rather forget. These overs become a part of history because they not only entertain fans but also leave a permanent mark in record books. The term Most Expensive Overs in ODI Cricket History refers to those rare occasions when batters completely dominate the bowler, smashing boundaries and sixes at will.
What makes these moments even more memorable is the setting sometimes in World Cups, sometimes in bilateral series, and sometimes involving associate nations where rising stars show their fearless cricketing style. These overs usually feature iconic players or aggressive hitters who had the courage to go after bowlers without holding back. In this article, we count down the Top 10 Most Expensive Overs in ODI Cricket History, starting from number 10 and going all the way to the unforgettable number 1.
List of 10 Most Expensive Overs in ODI Cricket History
10. Shreyas Iyer
At Visakhapatnam in 2019, India took on the West Indies in a high-scoring ODI. Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant joined forces to produce one of the Most Expensive Overs in ODI Cricket History. Roston Chase was the unfortunate bowler at the receiving end. Iyer struck towering sixes, clean drives, and strong boundaries, while Pant rotated the strike cleverly. Together, they scored 31 runs in just one over, completely shifting the momentum of the game in India’s favor. The spectators were left in awe of the aggressive intent shown by both batters Most Expensive Overs in ODI Cricket History.
| Runs | Batter(s) | Bowler | Match | Venue | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | Shreyas Iyer (nb66466), Pant (1) | Roston Chase | India vs West Indies | Visakhapatnam | 2019/20 |
9. Kane Williamson
During the 2011 World Cup in Mumbai, New Zealand’s Kane Williamson and James Franklin carved their names into the list of the Most Expensive Overs in ODI Cricket History. Facing Canada’s Rizwan Cheema, Franklin hammered multiple sixes, while Williamson smartly picked singles and rotated the strike. The result was another unforgettable 31-run over. It was a rare case where two batters contributed heavily in the same expensive over, showcasing power-hitting alongside clever batting strategy.
| Runs | Batter(s) | Bowler | Match | Venue | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | Kane Williamson (1), James Franklin (6646N4x2) | Rizwan Cheema | New Zealand vs Canada | Mumbai | 2010/11 |
READ MORE: Top 10 Fielders with the Most Catches in a Single ODI Series
8. Milind Kumar
In Lauderhill 2025, Milind Kumar of the United States became a star overnight with a stunning display of aggressive batting. Facing Dilon Heyliger of Canada, Kumar smashed sixes and fours to collect 32 runs in one over. This explosive batting performance entered the list of Most Expensive Overs in ODI Cricket History and showcased how associate players are also capable of delivering unforgettable cricketing moments. His fearless hitting brought attention to U.S. cricket’s growing influence on the international stage.
| Runs | Batter | Bowler | Match | Venue | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | Milind Kumar (466664) | Dilon Heyliger | USA vs Canada | Lauderhill | 2025 |
7. Liam Livingstone
England’s Liam Livingstone is known for his brutal power-hitting, and in Amstelveen 2022, he delivered one of the Most Expensive Overs in ODI Cricket History. Facing Philippe Boissevain of the Netherlands, Livingstone smashed 32 runs in a single over. His fearless approach and ability to clear the boundary with ease made this one of the highlights of England’s dominant batting display in that series. Livingstone’s aggressive batting left the Dutch bowlers with no answers.
| Runs | Batter | Bowler | Match | Venue | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | Liam Livingstone (466646) | Philippe Boissevain | England vs Netherlands | Amstelveen | 2022 |
6. Shahid Afridi
Known as “Boom Boom” Afridi, Shahid Afridi was always a crowd-puller for his explosive batting. In Abu Dhabi 2007, he produced one of the Most Expensive Overs in ODI Cricket History against Sri Lanka’s CM Bandara. Afridi smashed towering sixes and unstoppable boundaries, collecting 32 runs in a single over. It was vintage Afridi — fearless, powerful, and entertaining. This innings proved once again why he was one of the most dangerous hitters of his generation.
| Runs | Batter | Bowler | Match | Venue | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | Shahid Afridi (446666) | CM Bandara | Pakistan vs Sri Lanka | Abu Dhabi | 2007 |
5. Jimmy Neesham
In Mount Maunganui 2019, Jimmy Neesham of New Zealand showcased his destructive power with the bat. Facing Thisara Perera of Sri Lanka, Neesham smashed the ball all over the park to collect 34 runs in a single over. Extras added more misery to Sri Lanka’s bowling attack. This over earned its place among the Most Expensive Overs in ODI Cricket History, highlighting Neesham’s ability to change the game within minutes.
| Runs | Batter | Bowler | Match | Venue | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | Jimmy Neesham (6666nb261) | Thisara Perera | New Zealand vs Sri Lanka | Mount Maunganui | 2018/19 |
4. AB de Villiers
AB de Villiers, widely known as Mr. 360, has always been one of the most destructive batters in world cricket. During the 2015 World Cup in Sydney, he unleashed an unforgettable display against Jason Holder of West Indies. De Villiers smashed sixes, fours, and benefited from extras to gather 34 runs in an over. This over remains one of the Most Expensive Overs in ODI Cricket History, and it came during his record-breaking fastest century innings.
| Runs | Batter | Bowler | Match | Venue | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | AB de Villiers (4nb62nb44426) | Jason Holder | South Africa vs West Indies | Sydney | 2014/15 |
3. Thisara Perera
Thisara Perera was Sri Lanka’s go-to power hitter, and in Pallekele 2013, he produced one of the Most Expensive Overs in ODI Cricket History against Robin Peterson of South Africa. With fearless batting, Perera smashed massive sixes and powerful shots to collect 35 runs in one over. It was an innings full of brute strength and raw aggression, leaving South Africa completely stunned.
| Runs | Batter | Bowler | Match | Venue | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | Thisara Perera (6W66646) | Robin Peterson | Sri Lanka vs South Africa | Pallekele | 2013 |
2. Jaskaran Malhotra
In Al Amerat 2021, Jaskaran Malhotra of the United States became only the second player in ODI history to hit six sixes in one over. Facing Gaudi Toka of Papua New Guinea, Malhotra struck six consecutive sixes, scoring 36 runs. This made it one of the Most Expensive Overs in ODI Cricket History and a proud moment for U.S. cricket, showing their rise in international cricketing standards.
| Runs | Batter | Bowler | Match | Venue | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | Jaskaran Malhotra (666666) | Gaudi Toka | USA vs PNG | Al Amerat | 2021 |
READ MORE: Top 10 Bowlers with Most Caught Dismissals in ODI Cricket History
1. Herschelle Gibbs
The first-ever player to hit six sixes in an ODI over was Herschelle Gibbs. During the 2007 World Cup in St. Kitts, Gibbs faced Daan van Bunge of the Netherlands and smashed him for six consecutive sixes. This historic moment sits right at the top of the Most Expensive Overs in ODI Cricket History, as Gibbs not only created history but also thrilled fans with his fearless batting. It remains one of cricket’s most iconic moments.
| Runs | Batter | Bowler | Match | Venue | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | Herschelle Gibbs (666666) | Daan van Bunge | South Africa vs Netherlands | St. Kitts | 2007 |
The Most Expensive Overs in ODI Cricket History remind us how unpredictable and entertaining cricket can be. These overs show the raw power of batters and the helplessness of bowlers when everything goes against them. From Herschelle Gibbs’ legendary six sixes in 2007 to Jaskaran Malhotra’s heroics in 2021, every entry on this list has left a lasting memory for cricket lovers. They highlight not only the dominance of big hitters like Afridi, de Villiers, and Livingstone but also the rising influence of associate players like Milind Kumar and Malhotra.