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

Summary
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.
| Player | Country | Matches | Runs | Average | 100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milind Kumar | USA | 22 | 1016 | 67.73 | 3 |
| RN ten Doeschate | Netherlands | 33 | 1541 | 67.00 | 5 |
| V Kohli | India | 311 | 14797 | 58.71 | 54 |
| DJ Mitchell | New Zealand | 59 | 2690 | 58.47 | 9 |
| DJ Malan | England | 30 | 1450 | 55.76 | 6 |
| Shubman Gill | India | 61 | 2953 | 55.71 | 8 |
| Babar Azam | Pakistan | 140 | 6501 | 53.72 | 20 |
| MG Bevan | Australia | 232 | 6912 | 53.58 | 6 |
| AB de Villiers | South Africa | 228 | 9577 | 53.50 | 25 |
| Ibrahim Zadran | Afghanistan | 39 | 1869 | 51.91 | 6 |
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 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.
| Format | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 39 | 39 | 3 | 1869 | 177 | 51.91 | 2269 | 82.37 | 6 | 9 | 178 | 30 |
9. AB de Villiers | South Africa | 53.50 Average

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.
| Format | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 228 | 218 | 39 | 9577 | 176 | 53.50 | 9473 | 101.09 | 25 | 53 | 840 | 204 |
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8. Michael Bevan | Australia | 53.58 Average

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.
| Format | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 232 | 196 | 67 | 6912 | 108* | 53.58 | 9320 | 74.16 | 6 | 46 | 450 | 21 |
7. Babar Azam | Pakistan | 53.72 Average

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.
| Format | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 140 | 137 | 16 | 6501 | 158 | 53.72 | 7458 | 87.16 | 20 | 37 | 601 | 68 |
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6. Shubman Gill | India | 55.71 Average
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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.
| Format | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 61 | 61 | 8 | 2953 | 208 | 55.71 | 2982 | 99.02 | 8 | 17 | 334 | 63 |
5. Dawid Malan | England | 55.76 Average

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.
| Format | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 30 | 30 | 4 | 1450 | 140 | 55.76 | 1488 | 97.44 | 6 | 7 | 150 | 32 |
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4. Daryl Mitchell | New Zealand | 58.47 Average

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.
| Format | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 59 | 54 | 8 | 2690 | 137 | 58.47 | 2810 | 95.72 | 9 | 12 | 216 | 71 |
3. Virat Kohli | India | 58.71 Average

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.
| Format | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 311 | 299 | 47 | 14797 | 183 | 58.71 | 15771 | 93.82 | 54 | 77 | 1376 | 168 |
2. Ryan Ten Doeschate | Netherlands | 67.00 Average

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.
| Format | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 33 | 32 | 9 | 1541 | 119 | 67.00 | 1757 | 87.70 | 5 | 9 | 130 | 29 |
1. Milind Kumar | USA | 67.73 Average

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.
| Format | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 22 | 21 | 6 | 1016 | 155* | 67.73 | 994 | 102.21 | 3 | 7 | 89 | 27 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which batsman has the highest average in ODI?
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Which batsman has the highest average in ODI?
Milind Kumar has the highest average in ODI.
Who has the highest batting average in cricket history?
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Who has the highest batting average in cricket history?
Sir Donald Bradman has the highest batting average in cricket history.
What is a good batting average in ODI?
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What is a good batting average in ODI?
A good batting average in ODI is 40+.
Which batsman has 0 ducks?
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Which batsman has 0 ducks?
Kepler Wessels has 0 ducks in ODI and Don Bradman in Tests.
Which player has 50 averages in all formats?
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Which player has 50 averages in all formats?
Virat Kohli used to average 50 in all formats.
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