ODI cricket is the oldest format of cricket. Each team gets 50 overs to play in this format. The most crucial position in batting in every format of cricket is opening. An opener gives a solid start to their team by scoring a huge amount of runs. There have many excellent opening batter from each countries. Many of them have fantastic batting averages. In this article, we will look at the batters who have the highest average as an opener in ODI cricket.
1. Brian Lara – 46.09
Brian was an elegant left-handed batter. He had a thrilling stance. He was considered as one of the best batter of his time for the West Indies team. He has been batted in 52 innings as an opener and has scored 2166 runs. His batting average as an opener in ODIs is 46.09.
2. Quinton de Kock – 46.11
Quinton de Kock is the best wicket-keeper batter that South Africa had. QDK was known for his fearless hitting and excellent keeping skills. He has been batted in 152 innings as an opener and has scored 6686 runs. His batting average as an opener in ODIs is 46.11.
3. Fakhar Zaman – 46.56
Fakhar Zaman is a classical batter from the Pakistan team. He is known for his timing with the bat and patient inning. He has been batted in 81 innings as an opener and has scored 3492 runs. His batting average as an opener in ODIs is 46.56.
4. Imam-ul-Haq – 48.28
Imam is a left-handed opening batter for the Pakistan team, immensely strong on the drive. Imam is playing for the Pakistan team from 2017. He has been batted in 71 innings as an opener and has scored 3138 runs. His batting average as an opener in ODIs is 48.28.
5. Sachin Tendulkar – 48.30
Sachin Tendulkar is one of the greatest cricketers ever played this sport. Sachin is widely regarded as the best batter across all formats, and his stats prove that. He has been batted in 340 innings as an opener and has scored 15310 runs. His batting average as an opener in ODIs is 48.30.
6. Hashim Amla – 49.90
Hashim Amla was one of the calmest players to play cricket. He also had beautiful batting technique which made spectators love to watch. He has been batted in 175 innings as an opener and has scored 8083 runs. His batting average as an opener in ODIs is 49.90.
7. Travis Head – 49.90
Travis Head is a talented and aggressive left-handed cricketer for the Australian team. He started his career for the Australian team in 2016. He has been batted in 32 innings as an opener and has scored 1497 runs. His batting average as an opener in ODIs is 49.90.
8. Rohit Sharma – 55.63
Rohit is the current captain of the Indian team. He is a power hitter batter in limited-over cricket. Rohit has the record for the highest individual score in ODI cricket. He has batted in 173 innings as an opener in ODIs and has scored 8679 runs. His batting average as an opener in ODIs is 55.63.
9. Shai Hope – 60.74
Shai Hope is one of the most underrated openers of all time. He has the second-highest average as an opener in ODI cricket. Hope started his career with the West Indies team when he was 21. He has been batted in 49 innings as an opener and has scored 2612 runs. His batting average as an opener in ODIs is 60.74.
10. Shubman Gill – 63.39
Shubman Gill is one of the most talented youngsters that India has currently. He has proved his worth in almost every format of cricket. He has been batted in 40 innings as an opener and has scored 2092 runs. His batting average as an opener in ODIs is 63.39, the highest by anyone.
