In the fast-paced world of One Day Internationals (ODIs), it’s often the centuries and five-wicket hauls that grab headlines. But what about those electrifying, turbo-charged knocks that last just 10–25 balls yet completely flip the script? These are the moments that turn the tide in a flash, the whirlwind finishes, the last-over destruction, or the momentum-shifting middle-order blitzes. These innings may not feature in the top run-scorer lists, but their impact is seismic.
These Disruptive Cameos in ODIs are pure adrenaline performed under pressure, against quality bowling, and often when the game is hanging by a thread. In this article, we count down the Top 10 Most Disruptive Cameos in ODIs Under 25 Balls, a tribute to the shortest firestorms that blew games wide open.
10. Kieron Pollard – 31 (13) vs England, Bridgetown, 2014
Pollard’s cameo was short, savage, and spectacular. Coming in with just two overs left, he smoked boundaries with brute force, lifting West Indies to a challenging total. A vintage Disruptive Cameo in ODIs by one of the game’s finest finishers.
Stats Table:
| Player | Runs | Balls | SR | 4s | 6s | Opponent | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kieron Pollard | 31 | 13 | 238.5 | 2 | 3 | England | Bridgetown | 2014 |
9. David Miller – 38 (17) vs Zimbabwe, Bloemfontein, 2010
Miller was still new to the international scene but showed glimpses of his destructive best in this match. His finishing blitz saw boundaries at will, registering one of the most efficient Disruptive Cameos in ODIs for South Africa.
Stats Table:
| Player | Runs | Balls | SR | 4s | 6s | Opponent | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Miller | 38* | 17 | 223.5 | 5 | 2 | Zimbabwe | Bloemfontein | 2010 |
8. Yusuf Pathan – 36 (15) vs New Zealand, Bangalore, 2010
Yusuf Pathan’s finishing ability was unmatched on his day. In this ODI, with just a few overs left, he blasted sixes with brute force. His Disruptive Cameo in ODIs finished off the match in grand style, with balls to spare.
Stats Table:
| Player | Runs | Balls | SR | 4s | 6s | Opponent | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yusuf Pathan | 36* | 15 | 240.0 | 2 | 3 | New Zealand | Bangalore | 2010 |
7. Thisara Perera – 32 (13) vs Bangladesh, Dhaka, 2018
Thisara Perera was an unstoppable force in this dead rubber, coming in during the death overs and smashing the bowlers to all parts. This Disruptive Cameo in ODIs was brief but essential in swinging momentum back to Sri Lanka.
Stats Table:
| Player | Runs | Balls | SR | 4s | 6s | Opponent | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thisara Perera | 32 | 13 | 246.1 | 1 | 4 | Bangladesh | Dhaka | 2018 |
6. Jos Buttler – 39 (18) vs South Africa, Cape Town, 2016
When Buttler’s bat connects, the ball disappears. Against South Africa, he turned the final overs into a personal highlight reel. Ramp shots, inside-out lofts, and bottom-handed flicks defined this Disruptive Cameo in ODIs, pushing England to a mammoth score.
Stats Table:
| Player | Runs | Balls | SR | 4s | 6s | Opponent | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jos Buttler | 39 | 18 | 216.7 | 3 | 3 | South Africa | Cape Town | 2016 |
5. Andre Russell – 43 (20) vs Pakistan, Nottingham, 2019
Russell brought his T20 power to the ODI World Cup, delivering one of the most Disruptive Cameos in ODIs. With Pakistan looking to claw back, Russell’s thunderous hitting off short balls made sure West Indies cruised home with more than 10 overs to spare.
Stats Table:
| Player | Runs | Balls | SR | 4s | 6s | Opponent | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andre Russell | 43* | 20 | 215.0 | 3 | 4 | Pakistan | Nottingham | 2019 |
4. Hardik Pandya – 42 (22) vs Australia, Sydney, 2020
India looked down and out chasing over 350, until Hardik Pandya’s fearless assault gave fans hope. With audacious pulls and lofted drives, this Disruptive Cameo in ODIs nearly pulled off the unthinkable. Though India lost, Pandya’s cameo was a highlight.
Stats Table:
| Player | Runs | Balls | SR | 4s | 6s | Opponent | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardik Pandya | 42 | 22 | 190.9 | 4 | 2 | Australia | Sydney | 2020 |
3. Glenn Maxwell – 41 (20) vs India, Canberra, 2016
Glenn Maxwell was in beast mode in this ODI. Coming in with a platform laid, he played reverse sweeps and helicopter shots with absurd ease. His Disruptive Cameo in ODIs tilted the run rate dramatically, taking the total past India’s reach.
Stats Table:
| Player | Runs | Balls | SR | 4s | 6s | Opponent | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glenn Maxwell | 41 | 20 | 205.0 | 4 | 2 | India | Canberra | 2016 |
2. Shahid Afridi – 34 (18) vs Sri Lanka, Dambulla, 2010
Known as the ultimate chaos agent, Afridi’s knock in this game was the very definition of disruption. With wickets falling, he came in and launched into the spinners, smashing a 100+ strike rate cameo that restored momentum and deflated Sri Lanka’s energy.
Stats Table:
| Player | Runs | Balls | SR | 4s | 6s | Opponent | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shahid Afridi | 34 | 18 | 188.9 | 3 | 2 | Sri Lanka | Dambulla | 2010 |
1. AB de Villiers – 44 (23) vs India, Johannesburg, 2013
With South Africa already setting a brisk pace, AB de Villiers took it into overdrive. Walking in during the slog overs, he dismantled India’s death bowling with reverse sweeps, ramp shots, and flat-batted sixes. His Disruptive Cameo in ODIs ensured South Africa crossed 350 with ease, leaving India no room for recovery.
Stats Table:
| Player | Runs | Balls | SR | 4s | 6s | Opponent | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AB de Villiers | 44 | 23 | 191.3 | 5 | 2 | India | Johannesburg | 2013 |
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