For years, the 200-run mark in ODIs was a thing that was thought to never be achieved. When Sachin Tendulkar broke the barrier in 2010, it was put forth that this was a one-time occurrence. But the change in the game’s evolution, which we see in T20S and the brave new way of batting, has made the 200-plus score a common achievement for the best players. By 2026, the pursuit is not which player will reach 200 but which player will do it in the least amount of deliveries.

Here is a report on the top 10 fastest double centuries in ODI history by balls faced.

1. Ishan Kishan (126 Balls)

India vs. Bangladesh Chattogram 2022. At the head of the pack is India’s young wicketkeeper batter, Ishan Kishan. In what was a rubber match against Bangladesh, which had little at stake, Kishan put on a performance to remember, posting a double century in just the 126th delivery of his innings. This saw him go on to score 210 off 131 balls. His knock was a display of raw power, which saw him hit 10 sixes and 24 fours. That performance not only broke the record for the fastest 200-run knock but also marked the arrival of India’s new breed of aggressive openers.

2. Glenn Maxwell (128 balls)

Australia vs. 2023 in Mumbai, which saw the great ODI performance of Glenn Maxwell’s 201* that many put forward as the best ever. With severe cramps and not able to run between the wickets, Glenn stood strong and hit the Afghan bowlers out of the park. At a time when Australia was at 91/7 in a World Cup chase, he went on to score 200 in just 128 balls. To date, it is the only double century knocked off in a run chase in ODI history.

3. Pathum Nissanka (of 136 balls)

Sri Lanka defeated Afghanistan at Pallekele in 2024, which saw Pathum Nissanka make history for Sri Lanka as the first to score a double century. Against the Afghans, he put on a masterful display of timing and acceleration, which he achieved in just 136 balls. His unscored 210 was the platform on which we set a huge total, which proved that old school technique still has a place in today’s game.

4. Chris Gayle (138 balls).

West Indies vs. Zimbabwe at Canberra 2015. In the 2015 ICC World Cup, Chris Gayle put on a show for the crowds with his 215 off 147 balls. He achieved the double ton in 138 deliveries, which is a first in World Cup history. Also, that tournament saw his 372 run stand with Marlon Samuels, which is one of the most aggressive in history.

5. Virender Sehwag scored in 140 balls.

India vs. West Indies Indore 2011. It was less than two years out from Tendulkar’s debut that Sehwag put West Indies’ bowling to the sword in Indore. With a see-ball-hit-ball philosophy, he is known for. Sehwag scored 219, of which 200 came off 140 balls that day. That performance stood as the record for the highest individual score for many years and was also a show of Sehwag’s fearless style of play as a captain and a batsman.

6. Shubman Gill scored in 145 balls.

India vs. Hyderabad in 2023 saw Shubman Gill join the exclusive group with a gorgeous yet aggressive knock against New Zealand. At 145 balls to his double century, Gill at that time became the youngest to achieve an ODI 200. His 208 was a solitary standout performance that accounted for nearly 60% of his team’s total runs.

7. Sachin scored in 147 balls.

India vs. South Africa, Gwalior 2010. It was the first that set it all in motion. The Little Master broke the age and a powerful South African attack (which included Dale Steyn) to be the first to score 200 in an ODI. Tendulkar’s innings, which ran for 147 balls, was a mix of classic shots and innovative aggression, which also broke a mental barrier that had stood for 39 years.

8. Fakhar Zaman (148 balls)

In 2018, at Bulawayo, which is the site of the match between Pakistan and Zimbabwe, Fakhar Zaman made Pakistan’s first-ever double century. Also he achieved the milestone in just 148 balls and out put a score of 210*. Also, it was his high backlift that gave him the ability to hit from all areas of the field, which in turn helped Pakistan post a huge total.

9. Rohit Sharma (151) The 264

India vs. Sri Lanka, Kolkata 2014, of which Rohit Sharma’s double tons were a legend. In that great performance at Eden Gardens, he was dropped early from the team, which he made pay handsomely. He scored his 200 in 151 balls, which he didn’t stop at; he accelerated to finish with a world record 264. That still stands as the highest individual score in the format.

10. Rohit Sharma (151) The 3 in a row

India vs Sri Lanka at Mohali in 2017 saw Rohit Sharma feature twice in the top 10 of the fastest lists (and also hit 3 double tons). The captain who was out in Mohali scored 200 off 151. After a slow start to his innings, his play in the death overs was like math book accuracy, breaking up the bowlers, which saw him finish on 208*.

Conclusion

The number of double centuries has greatly increased, yet that does not take away from their bat, which still stands as a model of what great hitting is all about. From Tendulkar’s record-breaking performance to Maxwell’s incredible one-legged effort, each of these performances tells the story of a dominant display. As batsmen at the top have at their disposal better equipment and are playing on fields that play less to the boundary, Ishan Kishan’s 126-ball record will certainly be challenged; maybe by the end of the decade, we will see it broken.