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Top 10 Players With Highest Batting Average in ODI (Updated 2026)

9 min
Highest batting average in ODI

Summary

The top 10 ODI batters with the highest career averages represent the most consistent and impactful run‑scorers in the format’s history. From Milind Kumar’s striking start to Virat Kohli’s long‑standing excellence, and from seasoned greats like ten Doeschate and de Villiers to modern stars such as Shubman Gill and Babar Azam, these players blend reliability, big scoring, and match control to define batting success in ODI cricket.

Batting in ODIs has transformed into a fine balance of skill, strategy, and stamina. Modern- day batsmen do more than just hitting boundaries; they anchor innings, rotate strike, and accelerate when the situation demands. A host of elite players are making headlines with their remarkable consistency, match-winning knocks, and ability to dominate bowlers across conditions, proving why they are counted among the best ODI batsmen in the world.

The 50-over cricket tests technique, temperament, and game awareness like no other format. From building solid partnerships and pacing chases to crushing top-class bowlers with precision shots, these batsmen have defined what it means to master ODI cricket. On that note, let’s dive into the top 10 highest batting averages in ODI history, celebrating the players who combined class, consistency, and impact to etch their names in cricketing lore.

List of Top 10 Highest Batting Average in ODI (Updated)

The list of the top 10 best batting average includes some stalwarts of the game, such as Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Shubman Gill, etc. Here are the batsman with the highest average in ODI and have been able to maintain an average above 50, which is just exceptional over such a long career.

PlayerCountryMatchesRunsAverage100
Milind KumarUSA22101667.733
RN ten DoeschateNetherlands33154167.005
V KohliIndia3111479758.7154
DJ MitchellNew Zealand59269058.479
DJ MalanEngland30145055.766
Shubman GillIndia61295355.718
Babar AzamPakistan140650153.7220
MG BevanAustralia232691253.586
AB de VilliersSouth Africa228957753.5025
Ibrahim ZadranAfghanistan39186951.916
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Who Has the Highest Batting Average in ODI Cricket?

The ODI format has witnessed many legends of the game, such as Sachin Tendulkar, Jacques Kallis, Ricky Ponting and many others who graced the game with their class and elegance, but while considering the highest batting average in ODI history. Here are the players with the highest average in ODI.

10. Ibrahim Zadran | Afghanistan | 51.91 Average

Ibrahim Zadran
Ibrahim Zadran (Image Credit: Official X Account of ICC | X/@ICC)

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. He has scored several centuries, including a remarkable 177 against England, one of the highest scores ever by an Afghan player. Ibrahim Zadran averages 51.91 after scoring 1869 runs in 39 matches, his stats show his consistency in the 50-over format.

FormatMatInnsNORunsHSAveBFSR100s50s4s6s
ODIs39393186917751.91226982.376917830

9. AB de Villiers | South Africa | 53.50 Average

AB de Villiers
AB de Villiers for South Africa (Image credits: official X account of ICC | X/@ICC)

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.

AB de Villiers was one of the most exciting and reliable players in ODI cricket. 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.

FormatMatInnsNORunsHSAveBFSR100s50s4s6s
ODIs22821839957717653.509473101.092553840204

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8. Michael Bevan | Australia | 53.58 Average

Michael Bevan
Micheal Bevan (Image Credit: Official X Account of ICC | X/@ICC)

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. 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.

FormatMatInnsNORunsHSAveBFSR100s50s4s6s
ODIs232196676912108*53.58932074.1664645021

7. Babar Azam | Pakistan | 53.72 Average

Babar Azam
Babar Azam (Image Credits: Official X Account of ICC | X/@ICC)

Pakistan’s star batter, Babar Azam, is one of those batters who has done well for the Pakistan team by scoring runs consistently at the top order. In 140 games, the player has scored 6501 runs at an average of 53.72 and has scored the fastest 5000 runs in ODI. Babar Azam is one of the classic batters of the Pakistan team. Babar Azam 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.

FormatMatInnsNORunsHSAveBFSR100s50s4s6s
ODIs14013716650115853.72745887.16203760168

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6. Shubman Gill | India | 55.71 Average

Shubman Gill (Image Credits Official X Account of BCCI/@BCCI)
Shubman Gill (Image Credits: Official X Account of BCCI | X/@BCCI)

Indian skipper, Shubman Gill, is also among the players with the highest batting average in ODI. He has played just 61 games and scored 2953 runs at an average of 55.71. 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.

FormatMatInnsNORunsHSAveBFSR100s50s4s6s
ODIs61618295320855.71298299.0281733463

5. Dawid Malan | England | 55.76 Average

Dawid Malan
Dawid Malan (Image Credits: Official X Account of ICC/@ICC)

England’s Dawid Malan has the fifth-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, as he failed to convert big. However, he did a fair job for the team whenever given a chance to play at the top or middle order.

FormatMatInnsNORunsHSAveBFSR100s50s4s6s
ODIs30304145014055.76148897.446715032

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4. Daryl Mitchell | New Zealand | 58.47 Average

Daryll Mitchell
Daryl Mitchell (Image Credit: Official X Account of BLACKCAPS | X/@ BLACKCAPS)

One of the best players of spin bowling of recent years, Daryl Mitchell, has been an integral part of the New Zealand cricket team's batting. In his ODI career, he has played 59 matches where he has scored 2690 runs, averaging 58.47, which includes his 9 centuries and 12 half-centuries.

FormatMatInnsNORunsHSAveBFSR100s50s4s6s
ODIs59548269013758.47281095.7291221671

3. Virat Kohli | India | 58.71 Average

Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli Playing Hook Shot (Image Credit: Official X account of BCCI | X/@BCCI)

One of the greatest batsmen in the history of ODI cricket, Virat Kohli, is in third place in terms of the best batting average. Kohli is a prolific batter who has played 311 games in ODIs and scored 14,797 runs at an average of 58.71, scoring the most centuries in ODI history. He also has thehighest batting average in ODI while chasing.

FormatMatInnsNORunsHSAveBFSR100s50s4s6s
ODIs311299471479718358.711577193.8254771376168

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2. Ryan Ten Doeschate | Netherlands | 67.00 Average

Ryan ten Doeschate
Ryan ten Doeschate (Image Credit: Official X Account of ICC | X/@ICC)

India's current assistant coach, Ryan ten Doeschate, has the second-best batting average in ODI cricket history. He has played just 33 games. He has scored 1514 runs at an average of 67. Since he has played fewer games, he has the highest career batting average in ODI. However, he was one of those players who showed consistency in scoring runs.

FormatMatInnsNORunsHSAveBFSR100s50s4s6s
ODIs33329154111967.00175787.705913029

1. Milind Kumar | USA | 67.73 Average

Milind Kumar
Milind Kumar (Image Credits: Official X Account of ICC | X/@ICC)

Milind Kumar, a young USA batter, tops the list of the highest batting average in ODI. He is an Indian-origin player who used to play for the Delhi Domestic Cricket Team before shifting to the USA. Milind Kumar has been scoring runs at a good pace for the USA team at the international level.

In his ODI career, he has played 22 matches, scoring 1016 runs at an average of 67.73 and a strike rate of 102.21. This also involved 3 centuries and 7 half-centuries.

FormatMatInnsNORunsHSAveBFSR100s50s4s6s
ODIs222161016155*67.73994102.21378927

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which batsman has the highest average in ODI? 

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Milind Kumar has the highest average in ODI.

Who has the highest batting average in cricket history?

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Sir Donald Bradman has the highest batting average in cricket history.

What is a good batting average in ODI?

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A good batting average in ODI is 40+.

Which batsman has 0 ducks?

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Kepler Wessels has 0 ducks in ODI and Don Bradman in Tests.

Which player has 50 averages in all formats?

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Virat Kohli used to average 50 in all formats. 

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Edited by- Aman Tiwari
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