The ICC Champions Trophy is just around the corner, but a significant world record held by Team India has already been shattered. You might be wondering how this is possible, given that the tournament hasn’t even started yet. India’s first match is scheduled against Bangladesh in Dubai on February 20. However, before the tournament could commence, a team has achieved a remarkable feat, breaking India’s 40-year-old world record. The team responsible for this impressive achievement is none other than the United States.
The USA team has accomplished something incredible in ODI cricket, a feat that even the biggest teams haven’t managed to achieve in the last 40 years. They created a new history by defeating Oman by 57 runs in the 54th match of the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2023-27. In this thrilling match played at Oman’s Al Amrat Cricket Ground, the US team was bowled out for just 122 runs in 35.3 overs. Milind Kumar scored an unbeaten 47 runs for the US, while Shakeel Ahmed took the most wickets for Oman with 3-3. Samay Srivastava and Siddharth Bukkapatnam also took 2-2 wickets each.
A Look Back at India’s Record
India set a world record in 1985, defending a score of 126 runs in an ODI against Pakistan. In that match, the entire Pakistani team was bowled out for 87 runs, resulting in a 38-run victory for India. This record stood the test of time for 40 years, until the USA team broke it recently.
The USA’s Historic Win
The Oman team’s chase of 122 runs started poorly, with half of their team returning to the pavilion within 57 runs in 20 overs. The American players sensed an opportunity and capitalized on it, dismissing the remaining five Oman players within just 8 runs in the next 6 overs. This impressive performance earned the USA team a world record for defending the lowest score of 122 runs in a 50-over ODI match. This is the lowest score in male ODI matches that has been defended, excluding comparisons against low overs or revised targets.
The USA’s achievement is a testament to their skill and determination. By breaking India’s 40-year-old record, they have set a new benchmark in ODI cricket. It will be interesting to see how this record holds up in the future, but for now, the USA team can bask in the glory of their historic win.
