List of batsmen with highest average while chasing in ODIs

List of batsmen with highest average while chasing in ODIs: Chasing a total is the most difficult thing in cricket, no matter how explosive or experienced the batting order is. Despite knowing the target, one always has to take in consideration the opposition bowling quality, the ground conditions and form of team’s batsmen. Hence there are batsmen who are considered specialists in chasing since they know when to defend, when to attack and bat with the lower order batsmen.

Here is the List of batsmen with highest average while chasing in ODIs (min 1000 runs):

7. Matthew Hayden – 50:

Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden averages 50 in chases in ODIs. The big burly Australian played for Australia from 1994-2008 and won 2 World Cups in 2003 and 2007 with the Australian team. Hayden hit 10 ODI hundreds and made 2450 runs in ODI chases. He was part of one of the most destructive opening pairs with Adam Gilchrist.

6. MS Dhoni – 52.67:

Current Indian captain MS Dhoni has proved himself to be the greatest finisher in current era of cricket. He has made 3845 runs in 114 ODI innings while chasing targets. He averages an astonishing 52.67. Dhoni has been known to bring the games to last over while chasing and then backing himself to win the game by hitting a big shot at the end. He did the same in the World Cup 2011 final against Sri Lanka. He came in ahead of in-form Yuvraj Singh and took India home first with Gautam Gambhir and then Yuvraj Singh making 91 runs in the process and hitting a six to win the match.

5. Shane Watson – 52.80:

Out of favour all-rounder Shane Watson averages 52.80 in ODI chases. He has made 2640 runs in 63 innings chasing. He also has one of the highest score in successful run chases, 185* against Bangladesh in 2011 with 15 fours and 15 sixes. Watson uses his power and timing to dominate the bowlers from the start as he either opens or plays at number 3 in the team.

4. Michael Clarke – 53.92:

Former Australian Captain Michael Clarke averaged 53.92 in 75 innings chasing in ODIs. He has made 2696 runs in those 75 innings. Clarke is a pure technical batsman in the classic mould with timing and beautiful strokes in his kitty rather than big sixes. An excellent player of spin, he controls the game and takes singles and doubles and letting the big hitters score the runs.

3. AB de Villiers – 56.42:

Currently in super-hot form AB de Villiers who holds every fastest record in ODI history, also averages 56.42 in 90 ODI innings while chasing. The man who holds the world record for the fastest 50, 100 and 150 in ODIs has also scored 3555 runs while chasing. His ability to innovate and manipulate the bowlers and his shots proves to be absolutely the most necessary thing required in chasing a target. He plays both spin and fast bowling with ease and that’s what makes him dangerous. He can explode any moment in an array of sixes and fours bringing the bowlers under pressure.

2. Michael Bevan – 56.50:

Probably the greatest finisher in ODI history, Michael Bevan had nerves of platinum. He scored 2882 runs in 82 ODI innings with an average of 56.50 in chasing. Bevan served Australia from 1993-2004 until Andrew Symonds came onto the scene. Bevan used to marshal the tailenders brilliantly while taking Australia towards victory. He could take the singles, doubles; hit the fours and sixes whenever necessary. That’s the reason he has 67 not-outs from 196 ODI innings.

1. Virat Kohli (India) – 62.50:

Virat Kohli has been the best finisher in the last 7-8 years since his debut. He has 14 hundreds in successful chases and he averages 62.50 in 88 ODI innings and has scored 4250 runs. Kohli balances between attack and defence perfectly, hitting bad balls out of the ground. He scored India’s fastest hundred in 52 balls against Australia in Jaipur, chasing 360 runs and winning with 9 wickets in hand. The Indian team prefers to chase targets in ODIs thanks to Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni, 2 of the greatest chasers in ODI history.

(All stats updated till 18th October, 2015)