Batting in the middle order can be very challenging. Batters like David Miller, MS Dhoni, Jos Buttler, and Mark Boucher have all batted at no.6. 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.6.
1. MS Dhoni
MS Dhoni is the most successful captain for India in the white ball format. As a captain, Dhoni first won the inaugural T20I World Cup in 2007 followed by an ODI WC at home in 2011, and then the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013. Born in 1981 in Ranchi, the former wicketkeeper and right-handed middle-order batter made his ODI debut against Bangladesh in 2004. He is widely regarded as one of the sharpest brains of in cricket. He scored 10773 runs in his ODI career at an impressive average of 50.58. While batting at no.6, Dhoni scored 4164 runs at an average of 47.32. He retired from international cricket in 2019.
2. Michael Bevan
Michael Bevan was a former left-handed batter for Australia. He was counted among the hardest hitters of the ball. His capability to hit the ball long and make quick runs in the middle-order was quite impressive. Born in 1970, Bevan made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka in 1994. He was a great chaser and loved to take the game deep. His versatile skills made the experts call him ‘the greatest ODI player ever.’ He made 6912 runs in his ODI career at an impeccable average of 53.58. While batting at no.6, the southpaw scored 3006 runs at an average of 56.72 before retiring in 2004.
3. David Miller
David Miller is a left-handed batter for South Africa in both the white ball formats. widely regarded as a T20 specialist because of his ability to finish the game and hit big sixes. Like a typical left-handed middle-order batter who likes to take on the bowler and especially on the spinners, Miller has redefined range hitting. The batter has scored 4090 runs in his ODI career at an average of 42.60. While batting at no.6, Miller has scored 2415 runs at an average of 40.25.
4. Mark Boucher
Mark Boucher was a former wicketkeeper and a right-handed middle-order batsman for South Africa. Born in 1976, the player made his ODI debut against New Zealand in 1998. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wicketkeepers of the game. He has a record of 999 international dismissals to his name. The batter made 4686 runs in his ODI career at an average of 28.57. While batting at no.6, he scored 2387 runs at an average of 29.84. In a practice game against England, Boucher got hit on the eye by a bail and had to end his career thereafter in 2011.
5. Jos Buttler
Jos Buttler is the captain and a wicketkeeper-batter for England in the white ball formats. Born in Taunton in 1990, Jos made his ODI debut against Pakistan in 2012. The talented wicketkeeper and an equally good batter, Jos is considered among the best white ball batters in the world. His versatility to bat in the middle-order during an ODI match and to open the innings in a T20 match is something that makes him different from the others. He has scored 4823 runs in his ODI career out of which 2052 have come while batting at no.6 at an average of 36.00. The player is all set to lead England in the upcoming ODI WC in India.
6. Tillakaratne Dilshan
He was a former right-handed batter and a right-arm off-break bowler for Sri Lanka. Born in Kalutara in 1976, Dilshan made his ODI debut against Zimbabwe in 1999. He was among the best openers in the world because of his ability to play and time the new ball to perfection. The batter also batted 87 innings at no. 6 in his career. Out of his 10290 runs in his ODI career, 2046 came while batting at no.6. His average at the position was 28.42.
7. Michael Hussey
Michael Hussey was a former left-handed batter for Australia. Born in Morley in 1975, the southpaw made his ODI debut against India at home in 2004. He was a flamboyant middle-order batter who also coulds open the innings when required. He was a mentally strong batter whose spirit and passion were unwavering. The batter made 5442 runs in his ODI career at an average of 48.16. While batting at no.6, the batter scored 1942 runs at an average of 40.46. He retired from international cricket in 2012.
8. Umar Akmal
Umar Akmal was a former wicketkeeper and a right-handed batter for Pakistan. Born in Lahore in 1990, Akmal made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka in 2009. He was a bottom-hand dominant player and scored most of his runs down the ground. He also could hit the ball for a six easily. He made 3194 runs in his test career at an average of 34.34. While batting at no.6, he made 1888 runs at an average of 37.02.
9. Yuvraj Singh
Yuvraj Singh was one of the finest Indian batters in the middle order. His ability to play his naturally attacking game was just pleasing to the eye. The batter was born in 1981 and made his ODI debut against Kenya in 2000. He scored 8701 runs in his ODI career out of which 1799 came while batting at no.6. Unfortunately, the lion-hearted all-rounder was diagnosed with cancer in 2011 which almost put an end to his career.
10. Mahmudullah
Mahmudullah is a batting all-rounder and a former captain for Bangladesh. Born in 1986, the player made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka in 2007. He has scored 4997 runs in his ODI career out of which, 1766 have come while batting at no.6 at an average of 33.96. He is one of the best players in Bangladesh.
