In the vast landscape of One Day Internationals (ODIs), centuries and five-wicket hauls often steal the spotlight. Yet, some of the most game-changing moments have come in the form of short, explosive bursts that left bowlers in ruins. These are the ODI Cameos innings that may have lasted fewer than 25 deliveries but packed enough power to tilt the match entirely.
Whether it was a late blitz that rocketed a total beyond reach or a top-order assault that set the tone from the outset, these ODI Cameos often slip under the radar yet hold seismic importance. The beauty of these innings lies in their brevity and brutality. Let’s relive the top 10 ODI Cameos under 25 balls that shattered bowling attacks and etched themselves into the folklore of white-ball cricket.
10. Suryakumar Yadav – 31 off 15 vs England (2022)
SKY took off in style during a match against England in 2022. While India already had a strong foundation, Suryakumar’s ODI Cameo was the perfect late launch. It showcased his fearless innovation, ramping, scooping, and slicing the ball in directions never meant for traditional shots.
Stat Breakdown:
| Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR | Opponent | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | 15 | 2 | 3 | 206.66 | England | Nottingham | 2022 |
9. Michael Clarke – 27 off 14 vs West Indies (2006)
Long before he became a calm captain, Clarke could unleash. His 27 off 14 balls came in the death overs of a tight game. He dissected the field with surgical precision and found gaps at will. While it wasn’t brute force, this ODI Cameo was a masterclass in timing and placement.
Stat Breakdown:
| Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR | Opponent | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 | 14 | 4 | 1 | 192.85 | West Indies | Brisbane | 2006 |
8. Hardik Pandya – 36 off 18 vs Australia (2020)
Hardik Pandya’s rise as a finisher was confirmed with this game. Chasing a tricky total, India needed a strong finish. Pandya stepped up with a furious ODI Cameo, smashing 36 in 18 balls, turning the match on its head and guiding India home with nerves of steel and wrists of iron.
Stat Breakdown:
| Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR | Opponent | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | 18 | 3 | 2 | 200.00 | Australia | Sydney | 2020 |
7. Kieron Pollard – 38 off 18 vs Australia (2013)
Pollard’s ODI Cameo came when the West Indies were in trouble. With wickets falling around him, he launched a counterattack on Australia’s pace battery. His 18-ball 38 rescued the innings and gave the bowlers something to defend. His towering sixes sent a message: the West Indies were never out of it.
Stat Breakdown:
| Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR | Opponent | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38* | 18 | 3 | 3 | 211.11 | Australia | Perth | 2013 |
6. Jos Buttler – 32 off 17 vs South Africa (2015)
In a game that was already tilting England’s way, Buttler slammed the door shut with a clinical 32* off 17. His ODI Cameo came in the death overs and included helicopter shots and lap flicks that turned into boundaries. It was death over artistry at its finest.
Stat Breakdown:
| Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR | Opponent | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32* | 17 | 3 | 2 | 188.23 | South Africa | Port Elizabeth | 2015 |
5. Yusuf Pathan – 36 off 15 vs New Zealand (2010)
The elder Pathan was known for his brute strength, and in a 2010 ODI, he turned Eden Gardens into a fireworks arena. His 15-ball 36, powered by 4 sixes, came when India needed momentum in the middle overs. It was one of those ODI Cameos that lifted the entire stadium.
Stat Breakdown:
| Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR | Opponent | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | 15 | 2 | 4 | 240.00 | New Zealand | Kolkata | 2010 |
4. AB de Villiers – 31 off 14 vs Pakistan (2013)
In a game where South Africa needed a late push, AB de Villiers delivered a laser-focused ODI Cameo that showed why he was cricket’s 360-degree phenom. His 14-ball 31 featured audacious scoops and no-look shots that demoralised Pakistani bowlers in the death overs.
Stat Breakdown:
| Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR | Opponent | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | 14 | 3 | 2 | 221.42 | Pakistan | Cape Town | 2013 |
3. Andre Russell – 42 off 13 vs Sri Lanka (2021)
A whirlwind. That’s the only way to describe Andre Russell’s 42* off 13 balls. With just over two overs left, Russell turned a modest total into a mountainous one. His ODI Cameo included towering sixes that cleared not just the ropes, but the stadium. The West Indies’ innings had a violent crescendo thanks to Russell’s madness.
Stat Breakdown:
| Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR | Opponent | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42* | 13 | 2 | 4 | 323.07 | Sri Lanka | Antigua | 2021 |
2. Glenn Maxwell – 41 off 20 vs India (2013)
Glenn Maxwell is synonymous with unorthodoxy and urgency. During the 2013 series against India, he exploded with a 20-ball 41 that tore into a well-set Indian attack. Reverse sweeps, switch hits, and bludgeoning straight drives, Maxwell’s ODI Cameo showcased every trick in the book.
Stat Breakdown:
| Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR | Opponent | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | 20 | 5 | 2 | 205.00 | India | Bangalore | 2013 |
1. Shahid Afridi – 37 off 16 vs Sri Lanka (2005)
Few can redefine chaos the way Shahid Afridi did. In a 2005 ODI against Sri Lanka, “Boom Boom” Afridi turned up the volume with an astonishing 37 off just 16 balls. Arriving at a delicate moment, Afridi went berserk, smashing Muralitharan and Vaas to all parts. His strike rate was a mind-boggling 231.25, and while he didn’t stay long, the impact was thunderous.
Stat Breakdown:
| Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR | Opponent | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37 | 16 | 4 | 3 | 231.25 | Sri Lanka | Dambulla | 2005 |
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