4 batsmen who can break the 200 runs barrier in ODIs

Scoring a ton is indeed a moment to cherish, but, to score a double ton takes your name right into the history books. It is a coveted landmark in cricket that was untouched for so many years in ODIs.Saeed Anwar was the man nearest to the milestone when he hammered 194 back in 1997 against India. His record was leveled by Charles Coventry before Sachin Tendulkar did the unthinkable.Breaking the shackles, Sachin became the first ever ODI double centurion in 2010. Once the trend was set, four more players followed the little master. Here are four players who are likely to do this in the future:

#1 David Warner

Can Warner become the first Australian to get an ODI double ton?

Every ODI double centurion so far has been an opening batsman, which is mainly because they get to face the maximum deliveries. The explosive Australian opener is a treat to watch when he is on song.

In the 2015 World Cup, Warner looked on course to achieve the milestone against Afghanistan before being knocked over for 178. Warner can be described as the perfect successor to someone like Matthew Hayden, who also didn’t care much about the bowler he is facing.

The set of skills Warner possesses makes him a class act. He knows the art of shifting gears as per the demand of the situation. Technically, the 29-year-old is sound enough to survive deadly spells. Further, his ability to rock back and hit hard against spin bowling makes him a hard counterpart to deal with.

The regular Australian aggression along with exquisite timing on the ball makes him a contender for the next 200 run mark. Enjoying the time of his life, David Warner’s bat is doing all the talking in each format of the game and is very likely to join Chris Gayle as only the second left-hander to score a double century.

#2 AB De Villiers

AB has the record for fastest 50,100 and 150, can he add 200 that list?

The superman of world cricket is the only middle order batsman who can break the manacles and enter this illustrious list. Rewriting history books, the South African is the go to man in any sort of circumstances. For him the pitch and conditions hardly matter, once he puts the pedal to the metal, he usually creates history.

AB is the icon of this cricketing generation and the master of all three formats of the game. AB is the true poster boy of this 400-scoring era of cricket. It took the South African just 31 balls to reach the hundred run mark and create a new record for the fastest century.

AB is at a different level altogether; there is no shot in the book that he can’t execute. He is the inventor of so many ridiculous shots that were unheard of, before he came onto the scene. The guts and ruthless nature is what makes him a nightmare for every bowler on the globe, a man with no weak point what so ever.

#3 Brendon McCullum

Will the Kiwi skipper join his opening partner?

The Kiwi wicket keeper batsman is a powerhouse. His style of play, elegant nature of his timing and ability to score quick runs make him one of the best hitters ever to play the game. The fearless attitude is also one of his trademarks.

The big back foot sixes and the drive through covers is surely a delightful sight. Scoring runs all around the park despite the nature of opposition attack shows just how dangerous he is. Once he starts middling the ball, the bowlers are usually ball watching as he smashes them all around the park.

His innings in the inaugural match of the IPL against Bangalore where he thrashed 158 runs shows the destructive nature of his batting. The strike rate is always high and that makes him a possible candidate for the double ton.

The nature of pitches in modern day cricket is hardly bowler friendly. Short boundaries and big bats only mean more and more runs on the board. The Kiwi captain can set his sight on this record as he hardly fears any bowler in the world. Although he has a high score of 166, he would love to join his mate Martin Guptil in the list of double century makers.

#4 Shikhar Dhawan

India already have three openers who have ODI double tons, can Dhawan make it four?

Known as the Gabbar in India ranks, Shikhar Dhawan is a conventional Indian opener, who makes use of field restrictions and quick running between the wickets to score the bulk of his runs.

From being India’s best batsman in the ICC Champions Trophy in England, to the current player who is struggling for runs, Dhawan has certainly had an interesting ODI career so far. But the fact that he averages above 40 and remains India’s first choice opener across all formats shows the faith the team have on him coming good again.

Given, most of the double tons are scored by Indians in their own backyard, Dhawan is a prime candidate despite his poor form. The pitches are a paradise for the batsman and that coupled with the fact that he opens, increases his chances of breaking the 200 barrier.

Another reason why he is a possible candidate is that he has shown he can play the long innings already. He has a high score of 248 in List-A career and has what it takes to turn around his poor patch and become the fourth Indian opener to score an ODI double hundred.