This article highlights the batters who’ve been consistent in ODI run chases while maintaining impressive averages.
Highest Average while Chasing in ODIs
| Player | Innings | Average | Runs | Not Outs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli (IND) | 163 | 65.32 | 8296 | 36 |
| AB de Villiers (SA) | 103 | 56.81 | 4204 | 29 |
| Michael Bevan (AUS) | 81 | 56.50 | 2882 | 30 |
| Joe Root (ENG) | 81 | 55.31 | 3374 | 20 |
| Michael Clarke (AUS) | 75 | 53.92 | 2696 | 25 |
| Shane Watson (AUS) | 63 | 52.80 | 2640 | 13 |
| Babar Azam (PAK) | 75 | 51.18 | 3122 | 14 |
| MS Dhoni (IND) | 145 | 51.04 | 4849 | 50 |
| Rohit Sharma (IND) | 155 | 50.89 | 6413 | 29 |
| Matthew Hayden (AUS) | 62 | 50.00 | 2450 | 13 |
Note: Batters who’ve batted at least 50 innings in chases are considered.
Key Insights on Premier Batting Records in ODI Run Chases
All-Time and Overall High Batting Averages
Virat Kohli has the highest batting average while chasing in ODI cricket. He is, in fact, the only one with a 60-plus average batting second.
MS Dhoni remained not out in 50 innings, the most by a batter in the second innings in ODIs.
Rohit Sharma and Matthew Hayden are the only two openers who have an average above 50 while chasing in ODIs. Rohit has done so while scoring above 5000 runs.
Sachin Tendulkar is, in fact, the lead run-scorer in ODI chases, having aggregated 8720 runs at an average of 42.33 in 232 innings.
Batting Averages in Successful ODI Chases
MS Dhoni tops the list with an impeccable average of 102.71 in successful ODI run chases.
Dhoni scored 2876 runs in 75 successful chases while remaining unbeaten in 47 innings.
Virat Kohli’s average jumps to around 89 in successful ODI run chases.
Contextual and Calendar Year Chasing Dominance
Kohli has the highest average in home (60+) and overseas (90+) conditions while chasing in ODIs.
Eoin Morgan has the highest average at a venue in ODI run chases. He averaged 83.85 while scoring 587 runs in 11 innings with four not outs at The Oval in England.
Dhoni has recorded the highest average against a team in ODI run chases (minimum 25 innings). He scored 1190 runs at an average of 91.53 in 25 innings while being unbeaten 12 times against Sri Lanka.
Sachin Tendulkar has the highest average while chasing in a calendar year in ODIs (minimum 20 innings). He averaged 84.18 while aggregating 1347 runs in 20 innings with four not outs in 1998.
Tendulkar’s 1347 runs in 1998 are the most by a batter while batting second in a year in ODIs. See the overall best ODI calendar years here in terms of runs-scored.
Lowest Batting Average in ODI Chases
Shahid Afridi has the lowest batting average in the second innings in ODIs (minimum 50 innings and 2000 runs). He scored 3666 runs at an average of 23.05 in 173 chases.
