The first 300-run partnership in ODI cricket history

It took 28 years for any pair to make a 300-run partnership in ODI cricket. And it happened during the 1999 World Cup when Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid tore apart the Sri Lankan bowling line-up with a 318-run partnership. Till then the record for the highest partnership was held by Mohammad Azharuddin and Ajay Jadeja for their 275 runs against Zimbabwe in 1998.

After winning the toss, Sri Lanka decided to bowl first. Chaminda Vaas scalped Sadagopan Ramesh in the first over itself. But they didn't know that it was their only moment of joy for the next 45 overs.

Rahul Dravid joined Sourav Ganguly and built one of the greatest partnerships in ODI history. Much contrary to the routine, it was Rahul Dravid who was the aggressor among the duo. When Ganguly took 68 balls for his 50, Dravid took only 43 balls for his half-century.

Dravid was going at a strike-rate of 100 continuously, but Ganguly shifted the gears only after completing his ton. It took 119 balls for Ganguly to reach the three-figure mark, while Dravid reached the milestone in just 102 balls.

Ganguly’s next 50 runs came in 24 balls as he smashed 4 fours and as many sixes during this period. If not for an unfortunate run-out in the 46th over, Rahul Dravid (145) would also have scored his 150 and the partnership would have crossed 350 for sure. Such was the fluency by which both of them were batting.

Ganguly went out after scoring a mighty 183 off 158 balls, including 17 fours and 7 sixes. India finished the innings at 373 and bowled out the opposition for 216. Robin Singh was the pick among bowlers for India with an impressive spell of 9.3–0–31–5.

This record was broken 6 months later, by Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid when they made a partnership of 331 against New Zealand in Hyderabad.

Currently, the world record is held by Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels for their 372 runs 2nd wicket partnership against Zimbabwe in2015.



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