Top 10 Batters with Highest Averages in ODIs

When we talk about the game of Cricket, one of the first things that comes to everyone’s mind is the batters. The batters have always been known as the heroes of the game. However, the definition has changed a bit in recent times. There have been so many legendary batters from different countries who have graced the game with their brilliant skills and technique. While contributing to the country, batters also look for their stats and records. One of the most talked-about and important stats for the batters is their batting average.

The term ‘batting average’ means the average number of runs scored by a batter in each innings he has featured. But how do we calculate the batting average of a particular batter? For that, we have to divide the total runs a batter has scored by the number of times the batter has been dismissed. The batting average doesn’t really matter in T20Is, since it’s a power-hitting format and the most important thing in that format is the strike rate.

But it’s not the same with the other two formats, which are Tests and ODIs. A player’s form and ability in Tests and ODIs are determined by his batting average. When we particularly talk about the ODI format, batting average becomes more important. Because, in the 50-over format, a batter has a higher chance of making his batting average increase. Multiple players have boasted a batting average of around 50 for most of the time in their careers. In the article, we will discuss the players with the highest batting average with a ranking factor of at least 30 innings played by each batter. With that being said, let’s take a look at 10 batters with the highest batting average in ODI:

How We Ranked the Highest Batting Average in ODI - Ranking factors

• Career Batting Average (Minimum Innings Criteria): It is the primary metric, total runs divided by dismissals. A minimum innings (e.g., 30+) or match cutoff has been applied to filter anomalies and rank the batters with the highest average in ODI.
• Opposition Quality: Performance against top-tier teams (like Australia, India, England) carries more weight than averages built against weaker sides, and that has been kept in mind while ranking the batters with the best batting average in ODI.
• Match Situations & Pressure: Average under pressure (e.g., chases, tournament knockouts, away conditions) helps identify players with clutch performances, and such knocks are a standout in every player's career, which will help us to determine the batters with the highest average in ODI.
• Consistency Across Years: Maintaining a high average over multiple seasons reflects the true class of the batsman, and not just a short-term peak. His consistency across years will help us to establish the batter with the best batting average in ODI.
• Not Out Frequency: Players who remain not out often (especially finishers) have inflated averages, this can be factored contextually.
• Home vs Away Record: A balanced average across home and foreign pitches shows adaptability, which is required to be a top batter in any format, and the home vs away record becomes a decisive factor while ranking the highest batting average in ODI.
• Average in ICC Tournaments: Batting average in high-stakes events (World Cups, Champions Trophy) adds to a player’s legacy and ICC tournaments are where such performances matter the most, so it is a very significant factor and helps us to rank the batters with the best batting average in ODI.
• Strike Rate Complement: A high average paired with a strong strike rate indicates efficiency and effectiveness (especially in modern ODIs). Nowadays, along with batting average, strike rate is also another crucial factor to determine the effectiveness and impact of a batsman in the white-ball format. This becomes one of the secondary factors while ranking the batters with the best batting average in ODI.

Top 10 Best Batting Average in ODI - Updated List 2025

The list of the top 10 best batting averages includes some stalwarts of the game, such as Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, MS Dhoni, etc. These batters have been able to maintain an average above 50, which is just exceptional over such a long career.

Who has the Highest Batting Average in ODI Cricket History?

The ODI format has witnessed many legends of the game, such as Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Kumar Sangakara, Jacques Kallis and many others who graced the game with their class and elegance, but while considering the highest batting average in ODI history, the batter at the top of the list is Ryan ten Doeschate, who played for Netherlands and has a batting average of 67. But he played for just 32 innings in the format. Apart from him, we can consider Virat Kohli as someone with the highest average in ODI, as he has played over 300 matches for India and still managed an unreal average of above 57.88.

10. Ibrahim Zadran | Afghanistan

Ibrahim Zadran has become one of the most dependable batsmen in ODI cricket. Since making his debut in 2019 as a teenager, he has grown into a key player for Afghanistan. By 2025, he holds an impressive batting average of over 50, which puts him among the top ODI players in the world. He has scored several centuries, including a remarkable 177 against England, one of the highest scores ever by an Afghan player. What makes him special is his calm and smart approach at the crease. He knows when to stay patient and when to go for big shots. For a team like Afghanistan, which is still growing on the world stage, Zadran is a big asset.

9. MS Dhoni | India

MS Dhoni is known not just for his calmness under pressure but also for being one of the most reliable finishers in ODI cricket. Throughout his career, he kept an average of over 50, which is rare for a middle-order batsman who often came in during high-pressure situations. With more than 10,000 runs to his name, Dhoni had a unique ability to read the game, pace his innings, and finish matches. He didn’t just score runs, he won games for the country. Even after retiring, his ODI average stands among the best for anyone who’s played that long, showing just how consistent and impactful he was.

8. Jonathan Trott | England

England’s former cricketer and Afghanistan’s present coach, Jonathan Trott, has the eighth-best average in ODIs. He played 68 games and amassed 2819 runs at an average of 51.25. Trott was one of the most reliable batsmen for England during his time in ODI cricket. Between 2009 and 2013, he built a reputation for being steady and consistent, finishing with a batting average of over 51, one of the best for any English player in ODIs. Trott wasn’t flashy or aggressive, but he was great at holding the innings together, staying calm under pressure. He played an important role at the top of the order and often gave England the stability it needed. Even though his international career was short, his strong numbers show just how dependable he was. He is among the players with the highest batting average in ODI.

7. AB de Villiers | South Africa

South Africa’s former captain AB de Villiers is known as Mr 360 for his magnificent stroke play against the bowlers. De Villiers played for the Proteas from 2005 to 2018. He has amassed 9577 runs in 228 matches at an average of 53.50. The world still remembers him for his excellent gameplay in the ODIs. His highest score in the format is 176 runs. AB de Villiers was one of the most exciting and reliable players in ODI cricket. What made him special was how quickly and creatively he could score, playing shots in every direction and adjusting to any situation. Whether South Africa needed to chase a big target or recover from early wickets, de Villiers always stepped up. He even holds the record for the fastest ODI century, showing how dangerous he could be. He was among the players with the highest batting average in ODI.

6. Michael Bevan | Australia

Australia’s former star cricketer, Michael Bevan, was a part of the ODI cricket team from 1994 to 2004. He played in 232 games and scored 6912 runs at an average of 53.58. He was an important player in the ODIs, and his absence was felt for a long time. His average is the sixth-best in the history of the game. Michael Bevan was one of the best finishers in ODI cricket. He wasn’t a big hitter, but he was excellent at timing the ball and keeping the runs coming. Because of his patience and skill, he was someone Australia could always count on to finish matches.

5. Babar Azam | Pakistan

Pakistan’s opening batter, Babar Azam, is one of Pakistan’s best batsmen right now. While the player is going through a lean patch in his career, his ODI average remains unaffected. In 131 games, the player has scored 6235 runs at an average of 55.17. He has many years left to score and improve his average even more in the upcoming years. Babar is one of the classic batters of the Pakistan team. Babar plays with a smooth style and knows when to take his time or when to hit big shots, depending on what the team needs. He stays calm even in tough situations and often helps Pakistan win those critical matches. Many people see him as the main player Pakistan can always count on in their batting lineup.

4. Dawid Malan | England

England’s Dawid Malan has the fourth-highest batting average in the ODI format. He has just played 30 matches and scored 1450 runs. This is the reason why his average is 55.76. Malan was a good batter but failed to score runs in crunch situations. This is the main reason why he couldn’t cement his place in the ODI team. He has one of the highest batting average in ODI.

3. Virat Kohli | India

India’s star batter and one of the best batters in cricket, Virat Kohli, is in third place despite having a bad phase in cricket. In the game against Pakistan, Kohli scored a blistering century in the Champions Trophy 2025. Kohli is a prolific batter who has played 302 games in ODIs and scored 14181 runs at an average of 57.88. He has played the highest number of games on the list and hasn’t let the average drop. This is the main reason why he is known as the best batsman of the modern era. Virat is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of this era and a true icon for Indian cricket.

2. Shubman Gill | India

Another fantastic batter from India, Shubman Gill, has recently entered the cricket field. Despite making his debut in 2019, Gill failed to cement his place in the team. However, he has been performing really well lately and scored a century against Bangladesh in the Champions Trophy 2025. He has also played just 55 games and scored 2775 runs at an average of 59.04. Gill is a magnificent top-order batter who strikes well in the power plays. He has been really successful in this format of the game and will look forward to continuing this for as long as he can in his career.

1. Ryan ten Doeschate | Netherlands

Netherlands’ former player Ryan ten Doeschate has the best batting average in ODI cricket. He has played just 33 games. He has scored 1514 runs at an average of 67. Since he has played less number of games, he has the best average. Ryan has announced his retirement from cricket and is India’s fielding coach across formats.

Highest Average in Successful Run Chases in ODI

There have been many batsmen who have been at their best while chasing targets in ODI, as it provides an exact idea of what total your team has to reach and how to pace the innings accordingly. The Highest Average in run chases in ODI is of none other than the chase master, Virat Kohli. Virat has scored 8064 runs while chasing in his ODI career at an average of 64 while smashing 28 centuries and 41 half-centuries.

But, MS Dhoni, the captain cool, takes charge and has the highest average in successful run chases in ODI. MS Dhoni is one of the best finishers in ODI history, especially in run chases. In 75 successful chases for India, he averaged an incredible 102.71, staying not out 47 times. Dhoni was known for staying calm under pressure, taking the game deep, and finishing matches in style, often with a big shot. His unbeaten 91 in the 2011 World Cup final is a perfect example. Simply put, Dhoni was at his best when the team needed him most.