Highest Batting Average in ODI Cricket: Records and Statistics

Numerous records have been set and broken in the ODI format of the game since its introduction in 1971 as players come and depart across successive generations. ODI cricket has advanced significantly over the past forty years, from the flamboyance of Vivian Richards and Ian Botham to the finesse of Rohit Sharma and AB De Villiers. Over time, the format has been adjusted to be more and more in the batsmen’s favour. Batting powerplays were introduced, and the number of players allowed outside the circle was restricted. These changes enhanced batsmen’s averages and strike rates.

Players have tended to claim particular positions as their own throughout time. Whether it’s the likes of Kohli and Ponting at number three or Dhoni and Bevan at number six, specific batters have claimed certain spots and established the proper usage for those slots in the format. Here, we examine the players who have the highest batting averages for each position (minimum 30 innings).

Highest Average at Each Position:

Rohit Sharma’s Opening (58.37)

Since MS Dhoni chose to bat Rohit first in the 2013 Champions Trophy, he has been one of the most reliable limited overs hitters. Rohit had a career ups and downs up to that point, but he hasn’t looked back since. Rohit, who is renowned for his enormous hundreds and astounding record of three double hundreds, has 5,487 runs as an opener from 108 innings, averaging 58.37 runs per inning.

Virat Kohli (63.58)

All batting records have been rendered meaningless by Virat Kohli. He is breaking records, hitting at a completely new level, and scoring with an unfathomable regularity. He already holds the record for the quickest guy to 10,000 runs and keeps setting records just for fun. One of the best players in the world right now, Kohli has 8,139 runs at number three from 156 innings at an average of 63.58.

Michael Bevan (59.60)

Bevan played the part of holding the middle order during the Australian cricket team’s golden era, when they were nearly unbeatable. Bevan demonstrated how crucial he was for both starting and ending innings by playing 53 innings at number 4 and going 15 innings without being dismissed. At position four, he ran for 2,265 runs at an average of 59.60.

AB de Villiers (77.96)

For his amazing skill sets and unconventional strokes, former South African captain AB de Villiers is one of cricket’s most adored players worldwide. Mr. 360, as AB is often known, has changed how middle overs are handled in ODIs. But that’s not all about AB; his average of 77.96 over 42 innings at position number 5 demonstrates his outstanding consistency as well. At this position, AB has amassed 2,027 runs overall.

Michael Bevan (56.72)

Bevan, one of the game’s giants, helped define the function and importance of a finisher in ODI cricket. He was the one who demonstrated how to win games to the rest of the cricketing world. At number 6, Bevan played a total of 87 innings, going undefeated in 34 of them while tallying 3,006 runs at an average of 56.72.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni (46.84)

The former captain of India, one of the best finishers the game has ever seen, reinvented the art of ending games by pushing them as far as they could go and making mistakes for the opposition. He is noted for having steely nerves. His strong finishes and the manner in which he accomplished them while pursuing and setting goals are just unsurpassed. MS Dhoni played 32 innings at the position of 7, scoring 890 runs with an average of 46.84 and going 13 innings without being struck out.

Lance Klusener (58.67)

In addition to being one of the best all-rounders in ODI history, Klusener was a superb finisher on par with Dhoni and Bevan. The Proteas all-1999 rounder’s World Cup performance, in which he nearly led his team to the championship game, represented the pinnacle of his career. At the position of 8, Klusener amassed 1,056 runs from 36 innings, averaging 58.67.

Liam Plunkett (25.00)

The English speedster, who is occasionally noted for huge hitting, has played a total of 30 innings at the number 9 position and has gone 12 innings without being struck out. Plunkett has 450 runs scored at a 25.00 average.

Kyle Mills (17.20)

The Kiwi seamer delivered powerful smashes down in the order that gave opponents a lot of trouble. For a number 10, Mills’ 344 runs scored from a total of 38 innings at an average of 17.20 is not bad at all.

Ewen Chatfield (13.25)

The single player from the 1980s on the list is a medium pacer from New Zealand. In 44 innings, Chatfield batted at position 11, being undefeated in 36 of them. At this position, he ran for 106 runs, averaging 13.25.

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