Ranking 15 Greatest ODI Batters
Michael Bevan
Ex-Australian batter Michael Bevan is widely regarded as one of the greatest finishers, having featured in 232 ODIs with a remarkable batting average of 53.58 and an aggregate of 6,912 runs. A key member of the team named as 'Australia's greatest ever ODI team' in 2007, Bevan contributed significantly to their 1999 and 2003 CWC victories.
Inzamam-ul-Haq
Former Pakistani batter Inzamam-ul-Haq remains the country's highest ODI run-scorer with 11,739 runs, at an average of 39.53 with 10 centuries and 83 fifties in 378 matches. A key member of the Pakistani team that won the 1992 Cricket World Cup, he was best known for his exceptional finishing ability and poise in the middle order during his era.
Adam Gilchrist
Having revolutionized the role of a wicket-keeper batter in ODI cricket with his aggressive, left-handed opening batting, Adam Gilchrist amassed 9,619 runs in 287 matches. His was a key member of the Australian team that won three consecutive ICC Cricket World Cups, from 1999 to 2007, notably hitting a famous 149 runs off 101 balls in the 2007 final.
Jacques Kallis
One of cricket's greatest all-rounders, Jacques Kallis was a pillar in ODI cricket with 11,579 runs and 273 wickets in the format. He is the only player in history to achieve the double of 10,000+ runs and 250+ wickets in both ODI and Test formats, and was adjudged the POTS during South Africa's victorious 1998 ICC Knock-Out Trophy campaign.
Sourav Ganguly
One of the greatest left-handed batters of all time, Sourav Ganguly amassed 11,363 runs with 22 centuries and in 311 ODIs. He holds the unique record of winning four consecutive POTM awards and is one of only five players with 10,000 runs, 100 wickets and 100 catches in the 50-over format, while also having captained India to the 2003 WC final.
MS Dhoni
One of the greatest ODI finishers and captains, MS Dhoni amassed 10,773 runs at an exceptional average of 50.57, including 10 centuries and 84 record-breaking not-outs. As the only captain in history to win all three major ICC limited-overs titles, his tactical brilliance and powerful lower-order hitting cemented his unparalleled legacy in the format.
Brian Lara
Once known as 'The Prince of Port of Spain', Brian Lara was a dominant force in ODI cricket, amassing 10,405 runs in 299 matches with an average of 40.48, including 19 centuries and 63 half-centuries. The former West Indies skipper was one of the fastest to reach 10,000 ODI runs, displaying his classic stroke play and aggressive intent against any opposition.
Sanath Jayasuriya
Former Sri Lankan skipper Sanath Jayasuriya scored 13,430 runs and took 323 wickets in 445 ODIs, becoming the only player to achieve the 10,000 runs and 300 wickets double. Jayasuriya's attacking intent while batting made him pivotal in Sri Lanka's 1996 Cricket World Cup victory, where he was also named Player of the Tournament.
Rohit Sharma
Another Indian cricketing great to occupy a spot on this elite list, Rohit Sharma holds the unique record of three ODI double centuries, including the highest individual score of 264 runs. With over 11,000 runs and 33 centuries in ODIs, his career includes finishing as the top run-scorer in the 2019 World Cup while also winning the 2013 Champions Trophy.
AB de Villiers
Commonly known by fans as 'Mr. 360', ex-South African cricketing icon AB de Villiers was one of the most destructive ODI batters ever, with an exceptional career average of 53.50 and a stellar strike rate of 101.10 across 228 matches. He holds the records for the fastest ODI fifty, century, and 150, scoring 9,577 runs with 25 centuries.
Kumar Sangakkara
Kumar Sangakkara stands as one of the greatest ODI batters, boasting 14,234 runs in 404 matches with 25 centuries, placing him as the third highest run-scorer in the format. A masterful wicket-keeper in the 50-over format as well, he was a key part of the Sri Lankan team that made it to the final of the 2007 and 2011 Cricket World Cups.
Ricky Ponting
Ricky Ponting's ODI brilliance is defined by his 13,704 runs, including 30 centuries, coupled with a stellar captaincy record leading Australia to two consecutive ICC Cricket World Cup titles, in 2003 and 2007. He was a key player in Australia's 1999 World Cup win as well, Ponting holds the record for the most ODI matches won as captain (165 wins).
Vivian Richards
Dubbed the greatest ODI batsman of all-time by Wisden, Sir Vivian Richards scored 6,721 runs at an average of 47.00 and a trailblazing strike rate of 90.20 over 187 matches. He was integral to the West Indies' World Cup triumphs in 1975 and 1979, and for a time held the world record for the highest individual ODI score with his monumental 189.
Sachin Tendulkar
Considered the GOAT, Sachin Tendulkar holds the all-time ODI records for most runs (18,426) and most centuries (49), along with the most Player of the Match awards (62). His unparalleled stats include being the first to score a double century in the format, and he crowned his career by winning the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup trophy.
Virat Kohli
A modern-day Indian cricketing legend, Virat Kohli holds the record for the most centuries in ODIs (51) and boasts an exceptional career average of over 57. His phenomenal statistics include over 14,200 runs and the fastest milestones for every 1,000-run mark from 8,000 to 14,000, having also contributed to India's 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup victory.
