4 players with highest ODI batting average while chasing in the last 2 decades

Batting second is always considered to be an uphill task which requires immense calculation with the batsmen needing to know when to accelerate and defend almost simultaneously. Both the temperament and experience of the batsmen are specially tested while chasing.

There are a few cricketers who have made chasing look so easy that even totals of 300+ in ODIs seem highly achievable. A batting average of 40-45 is considered to be a towering achievement in ODI cricket but the 4 cricketers discussed below have averages of over 50 in a minimum of 80 innings that too while chasing. The 4 cricketers are as follows:

#1 Virat Kohli (Average of 68.40 in 123 innings)

Virat Kohli was not even 6 years old when legends like Michael Bevan and Graham Thorpe were hailed as the best chasers of the game. The Indian skipper is currently one of the best cricketers in the world in all forms of the game.

Kohli is a player who can single-handedly take the game away from the opposition. He is one of the most feared batsmen in all forms of the game. In ODI cricket, Kohli has 10,533 runs to his name at an average of 59.50.

The Indian run machine has 6430 runs while chasing in 123 innings at an outstanding average of 68.40. What makes this feat more remarkable is his strike rate of 93.94. Kohli is known for the passion with which he plays the game, giving his all out in every delivery, be it while batting or while fielding.

A Kohli century while chasing is generally considered to be an Indian win. Kohli has carried his bat 37 times in ODI cricket out of which 29 times have come while chasing. The Indian skipper has 24 centuries and 29 50s to his name while chasing.

Best innings while chasing

His best innings of 183 while chasing came against Pakistan in an Asia Cup game in Dhaka on 18th March 2012. The Indian team was set a total of 330 by Pakistan. India lost Gautam Gambhir in the second ball of their chase and in walked Virat Kohli. The then 23-year-old smashed the Pakistani bowlers all around the park as he scored 183 off 148 balls.

#2 AB de Villiers (Average of 56.81 in 103 innings)

AB de Villiers

AB de Villiers is known as the most complete player in international cricket. His ability to come up with innovative shots makes him one of the most feared batsmen in the world. One question which people always have on their minds every time they look at him play is, 'What can't this man do?'

In his career, De Villiers has played in all batting positions ranging from No.1 to No.8. He has 4204 runs while chasing in ODIs at an average of 56.81. His strike rate of 95.05 while chasing makes this feat all the more incredible. In these 4204 runs, ABD has scored 28 50s and 7 centuries. AHe BD has remained not out on 39 occasions for his side in ODI cricket of which 29 of these have been while chasing.

Best innings while chasing

His best innings while chasing came against Australia in the Tri-Nation Series in Zimbabwe on 27th August 2014. The Aussies had batted first and put on a commanding total of 327 for 7. The South Africans got off to a shaky start as they lost both Amla and De Kock with the score at 51 for 2 at the end of the 8th over. Then came the innings from AB de Villiers, who stitched a 206 run partnership with Faf du Plessis to guide his side to a comfortable victory with 7 wickets and 20 balls to spare. He remained unbeaten at 136 off 106 balls which comprised of 11 boundaries and two 6s.

#3 Michael Bevan (Average of 56.51 in 81 innings)

Bevan after hitting the winning runs against the West Indies

Michael Bevan is hailed as one of the best cricketers in the limited overs format. The Canberra-born made his debut for Australia in both Tests and ODIs in 1994. Bevan was known for the calm and ease with which he could take the game to the very end and see his team through.

Bevan scored 2882 runs at an average of 56.51 while chasing which comprised of 19 50s and 3 centuries. The Aussie legend brought curtains down to his illustrious career in 2004. He scored 6912 runs in the 232 ODI games at an average of 53.58. Another stat that made this record all the more incredible is that Bevan has remained not out on 67 occasions in ODI cricket for his side out of which 30 occasions have been while chasing.

Best innings while chasing

Bevan’s most remarkable innings came in a low scoring game against the West Indies in Sydney in 1996. West Indies was one of the most feared sides in World Cricket with the likes of Carl Hooper, Curtly Ambrose, and Courtney Walsh. The Windies had put up a total of 172 for 9 in their allotted 43 overs. The Australians got off to a terrible start losing 6 wickets for the score of 38 which was followed the gritty innings from Bevan. He stuck till the very end, stitching partnerships with the tail-enders to score an unbeaten 78 off 88 balls to take his side through to a memorable 1 wicket win.

#4 MS Dhoni (Average of 50.41 in 140 innings)

The shot which won India the ICC World Cup in 2011

MS Dhoni has been a part of a majority of India's successful run chases in ODI cricket and has amassed a batting average of 50.41 in 140 innings while chasing. The former Indian skipper has scored 4638 runs with a blistering strike rate of 80.52. He has 33 50s and 2 centuries while chasing. Another interesting fact is that MSD has remained unbeaten 81 times in ODI cricket out of which he has been not out on 48 occasions while chasing. Dhoni was in great touch in the ODI series against the Aussies where he scored 193 runs in 3 games, remaining unbeaten in 2 of the 3 games.

Dhoni introduced himself to the cricketing world in 2005 when he smashed 148 runs off 123 balls against Pakistan. A few months later, Dhoni scored his highest score in ODIs (183 not out) against Sri Lanka. Another Dhoni classic was witnessed when Dhoni scored an unbeaten 91 in the finals of the ICC World Cup 2011 against Sri Lanka to take the Indian team to their first 50 over World Cup win in 28 years.

Best innings while chasing

Dhoni classic of an unbeaten 183 vs Sri Lanka in the 3rd ODI of the 7-match series between India and Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka had put up a dominant total of 298 for 4 in their 50 overs. The Indian team lost Tendulkar early on in the chase and Dhoni was sent in to bat at Number 3. This decision turned out to be sensational as Dhoni took India home unbeaten with 6 wickets in hand.

Throwback - On this day in 2005, @msdhoni notched his highest ODI score. KaBOOM all the way 💪🏻💥💥😎 pic.twitter.com/UM3B3aTRJy

— BCCI (@BCCI) October 31, 2018