Here’s a look at the batters who have the highest batting average in successful chases in ODIs.
Highest Average in Successful Chases in ODIs
| Player | Innings | Average | Runs | Not Outs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MS Dhoni (IND) | 75 | 102.71 | 2876 | 47 |
| Virat Kohli (IND) | 104 | 90.28 | 6230 | 35 |
| Joe Root (ENG) | 45 | 88.42 | 2299 | 19 |
| Michael Bevan (AUS) | 45 | 86.25 | 1725 | 25 |
| AB de Villiers (SA) | 59 | 82.77 | 2566 | 28 |
| Michael Clarke (AUS) | 53 | 73.86 | 2142 | 24 |
| Hansie Cronje (SA) | 43 | 70.08 | 1682 | 19 |
| Allan Border (AUS) | 46 | 69.80 | 1815 | 20 |
| Arjuna Ranatunga (SL) | 56 | 69.20 | 2007 | 27 |
| Babar Azam (PAK) | 43 | 69.17 | 2006 | 14 |
Note: Batters who’ve batted in at least 40 innings are covered.
Key Insights on Batting Averages in Successful ODI Run Chases
Dominance in Overall and Overseas ODI Chases
MS Dhoni holds the highest batting average in successful run chases in ODIs.
He averaged 102.71 while scoring 2876 runs in 75 victorious chases.
In the process, Dhoni remained not out in 47 of the 75 innings, the most by a batter in successful ODI chases. He also tops the overall list of batters with the most unbeaten innings in the ODI run chases.
Dhoni’s average jumps to 120.92 in overseas conditions. He aggregated 1693 runs in 43 innings while remaining unbeaten 29 times in successful chases in away ODIs.
Record-Holders for Chasing Performance
Virat Kohli, who trails Dhoni in terms of overall average, has scored the most runs in successful chases, with over 6000 runs to his name.
Kohli is the only batter to average above 80 in successful run chases at home in ODIs.
Kohli is one of the two batters, along with Sachin Tendulkar, to score 5000-plus runs while averaging above 50 in successful ODI chases.
AB de Villiers’ average goes up from 82.77 to 266.00 (1064 runs in 20 inns) as South Africa’s captain. This is the highest average as a captain in successful ODI chases (minimum 20 innings).
Exceptional Averages Against Specific Opponents and Roles
England’s Jonny Bairstow is the only opener to average above 60 and strike above 120 in successful run chases in ODIs.
Allan Border has the highest batting average against a team in successful ODI run chases (minimum 10 innings). The former Australian skipper scored 553 runs at an average of 184.33 in 10 innings with seven not outs against India.
Dhoni is the only batter to average above 100 against two opponents in successful ODI chases, having done so against Sri Lanka (899 at 179.80 in 16 inns) and Australia (422 at 105.50 in 13 inns).
Sachin Tendulkar (134.00 vs WI), Javed Miandad (106.25 vs SL), Ricky Ponting (104.00 vs SL), and Brian Lara (102.25 vs PAK) are the other batters to average above 100 against a team in successful ODI chases.
Shane Watson has the highest average as an opener in successful ODI chases (minimum 20 innings). He scored 1682 runs at an average of 73.13 in 29 innings for Australia.
