5 top run-scorers in ODIs in 2018 so far

The ODI cricket fever is back with the Asia Cup and all the teams are eyeing the top prize. It will be a two-week tournament and cricket fans will definitely have moments to cherish, as all the teams and the respective selection committees have put in the effort to form the best possible team for the tournament.

As we are approaching the end of the year, there are not a lot of ODI series left for the teams and this is a good time to look at the players who have made their mark this year with some terrific innings.

In this article, we look at 5 top run-scorers in ODI in 2018 so far.

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#5 Brendan Taylor

Taylor is back to International cricket

After being away from the team for two years, Brendan Taylor came back to the Zimbabwe team after announcing his retirement in 2015. The star wicket-keeper batsman is in terrific form and has scored 684 runs in 15 innings at an average of 45.60 and a strike-rate of 88.03.

This includes his brilliant centuries against Afghanistan in the 5-match ODI series and West Indies in the World Cup Qualifiers. Though the Zimbabwean team did not qualify for the World Cup, Brendan Taylor performed magnificently.

With Taylor back in the team, this Zimbabwe team looks very different, and are back to play some exciting and fearless cricket.

#4 Virat Kohli

The Indian skipper is a man on mission

Virat Kohli has been playing cricket on a different level for the last 6-7 years. The Indian skipper scored 1460 runs in 2017 with a staggering average of 76.84, and the story this year seems to be no different.

Though he is number 4 on this list, he is without a doubt, the best player this year so far, as he has already scored 749 runs in only 9 innings.

He has scored 3 centuries and 3 half-centuries in 9 innings, and was also the Man of the Series in the 6-match ODI series against South Africa after scoring 558 runs in 6 innings at an average of 186. He is called the superman of cricket for a reason.

#3 Jason Roy

Jason Roy has become the answer to England's ODI opening woes

Jason Roy is having an unbelievable year and he has become the answer to England's ODI opening woes. After ending the last year with two back-to-back ODI half-centuries against West Indies, Roy took over from where he left off.

Roy started the year with a quick-fire 180 off 151 against Australia at MCG. He then smashed Aussie bowlers and scored two blistering centuries when the Kangaroos visited England for a 5-match ODI series.

Roy has scored 780 runs in 17 innings at an average of 45.88, with 3 centuries and a half-century. His opening heroics are helping England post big totals and that is a positive sign for the team management.

#2 Joe Root

Root is continuing his form from the last year

Joe Root was sensational last year and scored 930 runs. This year has been no different for the England star, as he is continuing his form from the last year and has already scored 800 runs in 19 innings with an average of 61.54.

This came on the back of his back-to-back centuries against India at home, three brilliant half-centuries against Australia and a century against New Zealand in their own den.

Root took home the Man of the Series in the recently concluded 3-match ODI series against India after scoring 216 runs in 3 innings at breath-taking average of 216 and a very good strike rate of 89.26

#1 Jonny Bairstow

Jonny Bairstow is having the time of his life

The England batsmen are dominating this list like never before. After turning into an opener, Jonny Bairstow is having the time of his life as he has smashed centuries against really goods teams like New Zealand and Australia. First, in the series against New Zealand, Bairstow exploded with two powerful centuries and accumulated 302 runs in 5 innings with an average of 60.40.

Then, in the one-off ODI against Scotland, Bairstow scored 105 runs off 59 balls, accompanied by 12 fours and 6 sixes. He did not stop there, as he went on to score a brilliant century against Australia at Trent Bridge, in the 5-match ODI series.

Jonny has scored 970 runs this year already in just 19 innings with an average of 51.05 and a staggering strike-rate of 121.09. He also hit 4 centuries and 2 half-centuries, and it does not look like he is going to stop.