5 Indian Batsmen With The Highest Average in ODI Cricket

The batting average is the measure of the consistency of a batsman. It highlights his ability to adjust to different conditions, make technical tweaks and thrive at the highest level. Indian batsmen, over the years, have enthralled and bewitched cricket aficionados across the world with their resplendent deeds with the willow.

Sachin Tendulkar was the flag bearer of the Indian batting line up for almost a quarter of a century. The master’s ability to make difficult shots look ridiculously easy marked him out as a genius. The age of Tendulkar also saw the emergence of other batting stalwarts like Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag.

And, after the retirement of Tendulkar, Virat Kohli has carried the legacy of the master forward and has emerged as the monarch of all that he has surveyed.

In this article, let us look at five Indian batsmen with the highest average in ODI cricket.

(All stats have been updated till the 16th of July, 2019)

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#5 Shikhar Dhawan - 44.91

Shikhar Dhawan has provided several explosive starts for India at the top of the order

At No.5, comes the dynamic left-handed opener, Shikhar Dhawan. Dhawan, along with Rohit Sharma, has been instrumental in providing India explosive starts at the top of the order. They are the second most successful Indian opening pair, after the legendary duo of Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly

Dhawan has played 129 innings for India so far, and scored 5480 runs at an average of 44.91, including 17 hundreds and 27 fifties. Dhawan’s bludgeoning cove drive through the off side, and his ability to whip the ball past mid-wicket with ridiculous ease makes him a joy to watch.

RECORD: Innings: 129, Runs: 5480, Average: 44.91, 100s: 17, 50s: 27

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#4 Ambati Rayudu - 47.05

Rayudu played 50 innings for India and averaged 47.05

Ambati Rayudu occupies the No.4 spot in the list. The stylish Indian batsman played 50 innings in ODI cricket and scored 1694 runs at an average of 47.05, including 3 hundreds and 10 fifties. Rayudu had a short career for India, as he made his debut only at the age of 27, and was continuously in and out of the side.

Rayudu announced his retirement from all forms of cricket in July 2019, after he was left out of the 2019 World Cup squad.

RECORD: Innings: 50, Runs: 1694, Average: 47.05, 100s: 3, 50s: 10

#3 Rohit Sharma - 48.91

Watching Rohit Sharma at his best is like watching a stream in full flow

Watching Rohit Sharma at his best is like watching a stream in full flow. It is pure, pristine and aesthetic. And, ever since he started opening the innings for India, he has taken his batsmanship to a new orbit and has emerged as one of the most destructive openers in modern day cricket.

Rohit has played 209 innings for India and scored 8658 runs at an average of 48.91, including 27 hundreds and 42 fifties. Rohit is the only batsman to score three double hundreds in ODI cricket. And, in the recently concluded 2019 World Cup, Rohit became the first batsman to score five hundreds in a single edition.

RECORD: Innings: 209, Runs: 8658, Average: 48.91, 100s: 27, 50s: 42

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#2 Mahendra Singh Dhoni - 50.57

MS Dhoni will go down as one of the greatest finishers in ODI cricket

Mahendra Singh Dhoni will go down as one of the greatest finishers ever, in the history of ODI cricket. Dhoni has steered his side to innumerable thrilling finishes during the course of his illustrious 15-year career.

The legendary cricketer has played 297 innings for India, and scored 10773 runs, at an average of 50.57, including 10 hundreds and 73 fifties. Dhoni will forever be remembered for the magnificent 91* he scored in the 2011 World Cup final, that enabled a cricket mad nation to lift the World Cup after 28 years.

RECORD: Innings: 297, Runs: 10773, Average: 50.57, 100s: 10, 50s: 73

#1 Virat Kohli - 59.40

Virat Kohli has emerged as the undisputed monarch of ODI cricket

Virat Kohli has emerged as the undisputed monarch of modern one day cricket. The batting maestro has been plundering runs against every opposition in all conditions. In the 228 innings that he has played for India, Kohli has already amassed 11286 runs at a stunning average of 59.40, including 41 hundreds and 54 fifties.

He also holds the record for being the fastest to 8000, 9000, 10000 and 11000 runs in ODI cricket. The Indian skipper is considered as the heir apparent to Tendulkar’s throne, and is the only batsman who has the realistic chance of going past most of the Master Blaster's big ticket records.

Kohli is just 30 years old, and has plenty of cricket left in him. He still has a lot of bowling attacks to tame, a lot of battles to be won, and a lot of records to be broken.

RECORD: Innings: 228, Runs: 11286, Average: 59.40, 100s: 41, 50s: 54