Undoubtedly, until now India is still the birthplace of plenty of the world’s greatest batsmen of all time compared to other nations. From the past to the present, and the future, Indian batsmen are still something that cannot just be defined by some words. However, when looking at the top batsman, other teams like Pakistan, South Africa, England, West Indies also are worth mentioning. Let’s discuss who is the best ODI batsman in the world.
What is ODI?
Key characteristics of ODIs:
- Limited overs: Each team faces a fixed number of overs, currently 50.
- Innings: Each team bats once per match, known as an innings.
- Duration: The game typically lasts between 6 and 7 hours.
- International status: Only teams with ODI status can play ODIs.
It is the dream of many cricketers to join the top ODI players ranking. Because it is the best reference and recognition of exceptional skill, dedication, and hard work. It brings recognition and prestige among fellow players, coaches, and fans worldwide.
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10 Best ODI Batsman in The World
Rohit Sharma (India)
Rohit Sharma is the current captain of the India national cricket team in all formats. Sharma is a right-handed batsman and an occasional right-arm off break bowler. He has played international cricket since 2007 and has represented India in over 400 matches across all formats.
He is the only player to have scored three double centuries in One Day International (ODI) cricket and is the highest run-scorer in T20I cricket. He is also the second-highest run-scorer for India in ODIs and the fifth-highest run-scorer in Test cricket. With these records, he is the best ODI batsman in the world.
Ab De Villiers (South Africa)
AB de Villiers is one of the most iconic ODI cricketers.He is a batting genius who is known for his incredible power, timing, and improvisation. de Villiers retired from international cricket in 2018, but he left behind a legacy of incredible records and achievements. He is recognized as the best ODI batsman with many titles.
- Most runs scored in a single ODI innings: 278* (against West Indies, 2015).
- Most runs scored in an ODI career: 8765
- Fastest century in an ODI innings: 31 balls (against West Indies, 2015).
Babar Azam (Pakistan)
Another name for the best ODI batsman in the world is Babar Azam. e is a right-handed batsman who is known for his elegance, technique, and consistency. Azam has a remarkable ODI batting average of 56.72, which is the fourth-highest of all time. He has also scored 5202 runs in 103 ODIs, which is the 15th-highest of all time.
Other records in ODI:
- Fastest to reach 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000 runs in ODIs
- Fastest to reach 10 ODI centuries
- Most runs in an ODI series by a captain (1454 runs)
- Highest career batting average in ODIs for Pakistan (56.72)
- Most fifties in consecutive ODI innings (9)
Azam is still a young player and has many years of cricket ahead of him. He has the potential to break many more records and establish himself as one of the greatest ODI batsmen of all time.
David Gower (England)
An English cricketer, David Gower, is considered one of the most elegant and stylish left-handed batsmen of his era. He was known for his graceful strokeplay, his ability to score quickly, and his temperament under pressure. Gower was also a very versatile batsman, capable of playing both attacking and defensive innings.
Gower was a prolific run-scorer at the highest level. He scored 8,231 runs in 117 Test matches at an average of 44.25. He also scored 3,170 runs in 114 One Day International (ODI) matches at an average of 30.77. Gower’s best innings in Test cricket was 215 against Australia in 1978. He also scored centuries against India, Pakistan, New Zealand, and the West Indies. In ODI cricket, his best innings was 158 against New Zealand in 1984.
Sachin Tendulkar (India)
Who can ignore the talent of Sachin Tendulkar in the role of batsman. His ability to execute shots with precision and elegance, regardless of the situation or bowling attack, was a hallmark of his batting.
His remarkable achievements make him the best ODI batsman in the world, which include:
- The only player to score 100 international centuries (51 in Tests and 49 in ODIs)
- The only player to have scored a double century in both Tests and ODIs
- The youngest player to score a century in both Tests and ODIs
- The first player to score 30,000 runs in international cricket
Virat Kohli (India)
The king of ODI, Virat Kohli is at the peak of his career with excellent performance in all cricket formats. He is currently playing in the Indian national cricket team. He is a relentless run-getter, never satisfied with mediocrity and always striving for perfection.
- Highest ODI average among active players (57.84)
- Fastest to reach 10,000 ODI runs (223 innings)
- Fastest to reach 11,000 ODI runs (237 innings)
- The only player to score 43 ODI centuries, including 2 double centuries
- Most ODI centuries by an Indian captain (30)
Shubman Gill (India)
Another Indian name in the list of the best ODI batsman in the world is Shubman Gill. Along with Virat Kohli, he is a rising star in Indian cricket and is widely regarded as one of the most promising young batsmen in the world. With a remarkable ODI batting average of 61.37, which is the highest among active players, there is no doubt about his talent. Besides, he also showcased his ability to score runs against top-tier opposition in this inning:
- Fastest to reach 1000 ODI runs (21 innings),
- Fastest to 1500 ODI runs by an Indian batsman (38 innings)
- Youngest player to score a double century in ODI cricket (19 years and 335 days).
Zaheer Abbas (Paskistan)
For decades, Zaheer Abbas has still one of the best ODI batsmen of all time in the hearts of cricket fans worldwide. y. He holds the distinction of being the highest run-scorer for Pakistan in both Test and One Day International (ODI) cricket, amassing a staggering 5,029 runs in 78 Test matches and 2,576 runs in 62 ODIs.
- The only Pakistani batsman to score over 5,000 runs in both Test and ODI cricket
- The first batsman to score a double century in both Test and ODI cricket
- The youngest player to score a century in both Test and ODI cricket
- The first batsman to score a hundred in all three formats of international cricket
Viv Richards (West Indies)
Appears in all lists about the greatest batsman, including in the ODI format, Viv Richards is a legend. This Antiguan cricketer also has numerous records that make him stand out among his peers.
- Highest ODI batting average among players with over 4000 runs (50.23)
- Fastest to 4000 ODI runs (77 innings)
- Most ODI centuries (18)
- Highest ODI individual score (189* against England in 1984)
- Most ODI sixes (133)
Beyond his cricketing prowess, Abbas is also recognized for his philanthropic endeavours. He established the Zaheer Abbas Foundation, which works towards the education and healthcare of underprivileged children in Pakistan.
Virender Sehwag (India)
The last name on the list of the best ODI batsman in the world, Virender Sehwag, is known as one of the most destructive opening batsmen in the history of the game.
Sehwag’s illustrious career spanned over 15 years, during which he established numerous records and achieved remarkable feats. He holds the Indian record for the highest score in Test cricket (319 against South Africa in 2008) and the second-highest score in ODI cricket (219 against West Indies in 2009). He was also the fastest player to reach 1000 runs in both Test and ODI cricket. He earned the highest ODI batting average among players with over 6000 runs (43.32).
Frequently Asked Questions
Viv Richards of West Indie is the best batsman in the ODI history, 935 vs Pakistan in 1985.
Sachin Tendulkar, widely acknowledged as one of the greatest batsmen in the world, still holds several records that no one can break.
Indian batsman Virat Kohli holds the record for most runs in IPL since its inception in 2008.
Virat Kohli consolidated the No. 3 spot in the ODI Rankings, updated on Wednesday, November 22, after his hundred in the semi-final of the World Cup and the fifty in the final last week.