The Indian cricket team, with 1000 matches, holds the record for most ODIs played by a team. They achieved the milestone in the first ODI match against the West Indies at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on February 6, 2022. On the momentous occasion, India beat West Indies by six wickets.
The Men in Blue have registered 519 wins and 431 defeats to date. Team India’s major successes along the way are notably the 1983 World Cup win, the 2011 World Cup win at home and the 2013 Champions Trophy.
India played their first ODI match in 1974, taking on England at the Headingley Cricket Ground in Leeds.
Australia are second on the list, having played 958 games since 1971. As a matter of fact, the Aussies played the first-ever ODI match in cricket history against England.
The Australian cricket team has also won a World Cup treble between 1999 to 2007. In all, Australia are the most successful ODI team in World Cup history with five titles.
Third on the list of most ODIs played by a team is Pakistan. The 1992 World Cup champions - with 936 matches under their belt - complete the set of teams who have played 900-plus ODI games.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka have featured in 870 ODI matches, with their maiden ODI outing a nine-wicket defeat to a Clive Lloyd-led West Indies at the 1975 World Cup. The Lankan Lions, who have a World Cup title (1996) and five Asia Cup titles in their trophy room, also hold the unwanted record of most losses in ODI cricket.
West Indies, who dominated the early years of ODI cricket, are fifth on the list for most ODI matches played by a team. The Caribbean side have registered 406 wins and 389 defeats in 835 ODI matches. Windies’ legacy in ODI cricket - established by the likes of Clive Lloyd, Sir Vivian Richards and Brian Lara - continues to be remembered to this day.
New Zealand have played 775 ODI matches, with their biggest ODI victory - in terms of runs - against a full-member ODI team coming against Ireland (290 runs) in 2008.
England, the defending World Cup champions, have registered a record of 384 wins and 339 defeats in 761 ODI games. They also hold the record for the highest score in ODI, with a mammoth total of 481/6 against Australia at Nottingham in 2018.
Most ODI matches played by a team
| Team | First ODI | Matches | Won | Lost | Tied | No Result | Win percentage |
| India | July 13, 1974 | 1000 | 519 | 431 | 9 | 41 | 54.58 |
| Australia | January 5, 1971 | 958 | 581 | 334 | 9 | 34 | 63.36 |
| Pakistan | February 11, 1973 | 936 | 490 | 417 | 9 | 20 | 53.98 |
| Sri Lanka | June 7, 1975 | 870 | 395 | 432 | 5 | 38 | 47.77 |
| West Indies | September 5, 1973 | 835 | 406 | 389 | 10 | 30 | 51.11 |
| New Zealand | February 11, 1973 | 775 | 354 | 374 | 7 | 40 | 48.63 |
| England | January 5, 1971 | 761 | 384 | 339 | 9 | 29 | 53.07 |
| South Africa | November 10, 1991 | 638 | 391 | 221 | 6 | 20 | 63.75 |
| Zimbabwe | June 9, 1983 | 541 | 140 | 381 | 8 | 12 | 27.22 |
| Bangladesh | March 31, 1986 | 388 | 136 | 245 | 0 | 7 | 35.69 |
Author: William Paul
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Featured photo: AFP / PUNIT PARANJPE
