Last Updated on 3 months by Charbel Coorey
Highest run chases in ODIs at RPS: The R Premadasa Stadium (RPS) has played host to some thrilling One Day Internationals (ODIs) since the first on this ground in 1986. There have been memorable games in the past few years alone including Bangladesh’s six-run win over India in the 2023 Asia Cup and Sri Lanka’s four-run win over Australia in 2022.
There have been 24 scores above 300 on this ground. However, how many successful chases have there been above 300 in ODIs at the RPS? Here’s a look.
Top 5 highest run chases in ODIs at RPS Colombo
Score | By | Against |
5. 267/4 | Sri Lanka | England |
4. 271/2 | India | England |
3. 277/7 | India | Sri Lanka |
2. 288/5 | India | Sri Lanka |
1. 292/4 | Sri Lanka | Australia |
5. Sri Lanka 267/4 vs England, 2014
The great Kumar Sangakkara, soon before hitting four consecutive hundreds in the 2015 World Cup, warmed up nicely against England in December 2014. England, on the back of James Taylor’s 90 and Eoin Morgan’s 62, fought to 265. But, it wasn’t enough.
In response, Sri Lanka had the measure of the total, with Sangakkara’s 86 taking the Lions to 214/4 in 41.1 overs. Angelo Mathews (51*) and Lahiru Thirimanne (19*) saw the hosts home with two deliveries to spare to take a 3-1 lead in the seven-game series.
4. India 271/2 vs England, 2002
It was a Virender Sehwag special in the 2002 Champions Trophy against England. Courtesy of the great opener’s 126 off 104 balls, along with Sourav Ganguly’s 117* off 109 balls, India made light work of England’s seemingly competitive 269/7. The men in blue chased the target in just 39.3 overs, with the openers combining for 192 in 28.4 overs.
3. India 277/7 vs Sri lanka, 2021
One of the more extraordinary run chases in ODIs at the RPS. India looked gone at 193/7 chasing 278 against Sri Lanka in the second match of their 2021 duel, with the Lions set to level the series 1-1.
However, Deepak Chahar had other ideas. He played an incredible knock of 69* off 82 balls to get the Indians over the line with three wickets and five balls to spare, leaving Sri Lanka scratching their heads as to how they let that one slip.
Chahar’s score was the highest by an Indian number eight in ODIs. Also, it was his first international fifty.
2. India 288/5 vs Sri Lanka, 2012
India again. This time it was in 2012, with the great Suresh Raina at the heart of the chase. The left-hander’s 65* off 45 balls got India home with just two balls to spare in pursuit of Sri Lanka’s strong total of 286/5.
Earlier, Gautam Gambhir hit a fine 102 off 101 balls. But, Virat Kohli (38 off 65 balls) and MS Dhoni (31 off 49 balls) found the going tough in the middle against Sri Lanka’s good attack. But, Raina’s masterlass which included six fours and a six saw the visitors home to hand India a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.
1. Sri Lanka 292/4 vs Australia, 2022
The highest run chase in ODIs on this ground was Sri Lanka’s excellent effort against Australia in 2022. With the five-match series locked 1-1, the visitors posted a strong 291/6 courtesy of contributions right the way down the lineup.
But, Pathum Nissanka owned the game. The opener played one of his finest knocks to date, striking a classy 137 off 147 balls to provide the backbone of the chase. Kusal Mendis (87 off 85 balls) was also outstanding, before retiring hurt. Mendis’s injury ended a 170-run-stand between he and Nissanka.
Sri Lanka ended up winning the series 3-2, sending home fans into raptures.