Batting in the middle order brings in a lot of challenges. The no.5 position is considered as the starting of the middle-order in ODI cricket. Batters like Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni, Steve Waugh, and Shakib Al Hassan have all batted at no.5. A middle-order batter is given the responsibility to take the team to a respectable score. Keeping the run rate moving is one major task for the batters in the middle-order and the difficulty level for the same depends on the conditions. This article will tell our readers about the top 10 run-getters in ODI cricket while batting at No. 5.
1. Arjuna Ranatunga
Arjuna Ranatunga was a former left-handed batter and the skipper for Sri Lanka in both formats. Born in Colombo in 1963, the batter made his ODI debut against England in 1982 at home. The southpaw was among the most aggressive batters in the world. His leadership quality and his passion for each and every teammate was just impeccable. His stroke-play on the off-side was pleasing to the eye and so was his ability to hit the ball sweetly. He made 7456 runs in his ODI career at an average of 35.85. While batting at no.5, the batter scored 4675 runs at an average of 38.64. He retired from international cricket in 1999.
2. Steve Waugh
Steve Waugh was a former right-handed batter and the skipper for Australia in both formats. Born in Canterbury in 1965, the batter made his ODI debut against New Zealand in 1986. He was one of the finest captains of Australia and even led the team to the ultimate glory in the 1999 ODI WC. He made 7569 runs in his ODI career at an average of 32.91. While batting at no.4, the batter scored 4117 runs at an average of 37.43. He is regarded among the best players in Australia. The player announced retirement in 2002.
3. Shakib Al Hassan
Shakib Al Hassan is a left-handed middle-order batter and a left-arm orthodox spinner for Bangladesh. He is also the captain of his nation across formats. Born in 1987, the all-rounder made his ODI debut against Zimbabwe in 2006. He is ranked at no.1 in the T20 all-rounder rankings. The southpaw has made 7384 runs in his ODI career at an average of 37.67. While batting at no.5, the batter scored 4018 runs at an average of 35.65. A player who is equally good with the bat and ball in hand is one of the best players produced by Bangladesh. He is all set to lead his team in the upcoming ODI World Cup in India.
4. Andrew Symonds
Andrew Symonds was a former right-handed batter and a right-arm medium bowler for Australia. Born in 1975 in Birmingham, the player decided to play for his arch-rival Australia. He made his ODI debut against Pakistan in 1998. He was among the most powerful hitters of the ball. His bat-swing was next to none and no boundary was long enough for him. Symonds made 5088 runs in his ODI career at an average of 39.75. While batting at no.5, the batter scored 3473 runs at an average of 41.84. He retired from ODI cricket in 2009.
5. Inzamam-ul-Haq
Inzamam-ul-Haq was a former right-handed batter and a skipper for Pakistan. Born in 1970 in Multan, the batter made his ODI debut against the West Indies at home. He was among the most aggressive batters in the world and was a key factor for Pakistan. The batter made 11739 runs in his ODI career at an average of 39.53. While batting at no.5, the batter scored 3473 runs at an average of 41.84. He retired from the ODI format in 2007 and remains one of the best batters for Pakistan.
6. MS Dhoni
Mahendra Singh Dhoni was a former captain and a wicketkeeper batter for India. Born in Ranchi in 1981, the right-handed unorthodox batter made his ODI debut against Bangladesh in 2004 and got run out on the first delivery he faced. The rise of MS Dhoni is something every Indian fan cherishes. The most successful white-ball captain for India who won three ICC titles in a span of just six years, MS Dhoni is also regarded among the best middle-order batters in the game. The cool customer under pressure, Dhoni made 10773 runs in his ODI career at an average of 50.58. While batting at no.5, the batter scored 3169 runs at an average of 50.30. He retired from international cricket in 2019.
7. Angelo Mathews
Angelo Mathews is a right-arm medium bowler and a middle-order batter for Sri Lanka. Born in Colombo in 1987, the all-rounder made his ODI debut against Zimbabwe in 2008. He is one of the best players produced by Sri Lanka. The player has scored 5865 runs in his ODI career out of which 3116 have come while batting at no.5 at an impressive average of 51.08. He is the backbone of the batting line-up and is among the most experienced players in the world.
8. Yuvraj Singh
The streets will never forget the name of Yuvraj Singh. The fearless batter was born in Chandigarh in 1981 and made his ODI debut against Kenya in 2000. He holds the record of being the first-ever batter to smash 6 sixes in an over which came against Stuart Broad. The player was also a more than handy left-arm orthodox bowler and scored 8701 runs in his ODI career. While batting at no.5, he scored 3040 runs and retired from the game in 2017.
9. Eoin Morgan
The left-handed batter holds the record for smashing the most sixes in an ODI innings. He achieved the feat when he smashed seventeen 6s against Afghanistan in the 2019 ODI WC. The former captain who led the team to the WC triumph in 2019 scored 7701 runs in his ODI career out of which, 3008 came while batting at no.5. He retired from international cricket in 2023.
10. Jonty Rhodes
Jonty Rhodes was a former right-handed batter for South Africa. The batter was born in 1969 and made his ODI debut against Australia in 1992. He scored 2734 runs while batting at no.5 in the ODI format at an average of 40.81. He is also regarded as the best fielder to ever play the sport.
