The batting average has an abundance of weight in cricket. A good batting average dictates consistency and the class of batsmen. In cricket, great players always try to maintain an average worth admiring, and it takes an extreme level of dedication and perseverance to achieve it. One’s batting average is derived from dividing the total number of runs by the total number of times he has been given out. Over the years, a number of excellent batters have come and graced the game in ODIs. Let’s gaze at the batsmen with the highest batting average in ODI (min 100 inns).
Babar Azam
Current Pakistani skipper Babar Azam stands 1st on the elite list of the highest batting average in ODI (min 100 inns). Since his debut in 2016, Babar Azam has been a force to reckon with as he consistently scores runs to win matches for Pakistan. He has played 100 ODIs and accumulated 5089 ruins at a stunning average of 59.17. The 28 years old has already etched 18 centuries and 26 fifties to his name.
Virat Kohli
Hailed as the greatest-ever batsman of the format, Indian stalwart Virat Kohli has the 2nd highest batting average in ODI among batsmen with a minimum of 100 innings. From 2008 to now, he has amassed 12898 runs at an impressive average of 57.32. His batting is like poetry in motion and has dismantled many bowling lineups with his mastery. The Delhite batter is only 4 centuries away to own the record for the most ODI centuries.
Michael Bevan
Former Australian middle-order batsman, Michael Bevan was famous for his batting prowess in the 90s and occupies 3rd place on the honorable chart of the highest batting average in ODI (min 100 inns). The Southpaw possessed a staggering average of 53.58 and made 6912 runs in 196 innings while keeping a strike rate of 74.16. For his courageous ability to finish games for his country, Bevan was called the contemporary finisher in white ball cricket.
AB De Villiers
One of the greatest to play white ball cricket, South African legend AB De Villiers averaged 53.50 in his 13 years (2005-2018) career span, the 4th highest batting average in ODI. At a superb strike rate of 53.58, nicknamed “Mr.360” aggregated 9577 runs. The trailblazer from Pretoria shocked the globe when struck a mind-boggling 100 in just 31 balls against West Indies in 2015.
MS Dhoni
The skipper who led India to win the 2011 World Cup, MS Dhoni finds himself in the 5th spot on the highest batting average in the ODI tally among players with a min 100 innings. Despite having an unorthodox batting fashion, Dhoni thrived in ODIs with his ability to bash the bowlers in the middle and death overs, notching up 10773 runs at a sensational average of 50.57. He is the only batter to have a 50+ average in ODIs batting at no 6 or lower position.
List of Batting Average in ODI (Min 100 Inns)
| Player | Matches | Innings | Runs | Average |
| B Azam (PAK) | 100 | 98 | 5089 | 59.17 |
| V Kohli (IND) | 274 | 265 | 12898 | 57.32 |
| M Bevan (AUS) | 232 | 196 | 6912 | 53.58 |
| AB De Villiers (SA) | 228 | 218 | 9577 | 53.50 |
| MS Dhoni (IND) | 350 | 297 | 10773 | 50.57 |
| J Root (ENG) | 158 | 147 | 6207 | 50.05 |
| S Hope (WI) | 106 | 101 | 4452 | 50.02 |
| H Amla (SA) | 181 | 178 | 8113 | 49.46 |
| R Sharma (IND) | 243 | 236 | 9825 | 48.63 |
| M Hussey (AUS) | 185 | 157 | 5442 | 48.15 |
| K Williamson (NZ) | 161 | 153 | 6554 | 47.83 |
Babar Azam has the highest batting average in ODI (min 100 inns), 59.17.
Virat Kohli has the highest batting average in ODI (57.32).
Senior Cricket Content Editor at Skyblogs Cricket.
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