Top 10 batsmen with best batting averages in World Cup knockout matches (minimum 5 innings)

Top 10 batsmen with best batting averages in World Cup knockout matches (minimum 5 innings): Some batsmen are born with the capability to handle high pressure situations with ease, while some cultivate habit out of playing in such situations regularly. Such situations are multiplied by a billion when the matches are the World Cup knockout matches, when a simple mistake can throw the team out of the tournament.

Here are 10 batsmen who average the best when playing in World Cup knockout matches.

10. MS Dhoni (India) – 48.50
Mt: 5 Runs: 194 HS: 91*

Indian Captain MS Dhoni averages 48.50 in World Cup knockout matches with highest score of 91* in the 2011 World Cup finals against Sri Lanka. His ability to finish the matches helps him in keeping high averages.
9. Ricky Ponting (Aus) – 49.11
Mt: 10 Runs: 442 HS: 140*

Australian captain Ricky Ponting averages 49.11 in 10 World Cup knockout matches counting from the 1996 World Cup quarterfinals till the 2011 World Cup quarterfinals. He played 10 World Cup knockout matches and made 442 runs with highest score of 140* in the 2003 World Cup final against India.
8. Adam Gilchrist (Aus) – 50.50
Mt: 6 Runs: 303 HS: 149

Former Aussie stumper Adam Gilchrist won every World Cup he played in. He played 6 knockout matches in World Cups scoring 303 matches and averaging 50.50 runs with a highest score of 149 against Sri Lanka in the 2007 World Cup final.
7. Kumar Sangakkara (SL) – 51.60
Mt: 7 Runs: 258 HS: 54

Former Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara averaged 51.60 in 7 World Cup knockout matches. He scored 258 runs with a best of 54 runs. He retired from ODI cricket in 2015 World Cup after scoring 4 consecutive centuries in the tournament, losing to South Africa in the quarterfinals.
6. Tillakaratne Dilshan (SL) – 51.60
Mt: 6 Runs: 258 HS: 108*

Tillakaratne Dilshan made 258 runs in 6 World Cup knockout matches at an average of 51.60 and a highest score of 108*. Dilshan has now played in 4 World Cups from 2003-2015.
5. Upul Tharanga (SL) – 53.25
Mt: 5 Runs: 213 HS: 102*

Sri Lankan opener Upul Tharanga scored 213 runs in 5 World Cup knockout matches at an average of 53.25 runs. His highest score was 102*. Tharanga was not picked for the 2015 World Cup squad by Sri Lanka, but was flown in after Sri Lanka was hit with injuries during the course of tournaments.
4. Javed Miandad (Pak) – 55.75
Mt: 5 Runs: 223 HS: 70

Pakistani captain Javed Miandad played in 6 World Cups and 5 World Cup knockout matches, making his ODI debut in the semi-finals of the 1975 World Cup. He made 223 runs in those matches at an average of 55.75. His highest score was 70 runs which he made in the 1992 World Cup finals against England, a match Pakistan won to lift the 1992 World Cup trophy.
3. Steve Waugh (Aus) – 56.00
Mt:7 Runs: 168 HS: 59*

Part of the 1987 World Cup winning team and captain of the 1999 World Cup winning team, Steve Waugh played in 7 matches in World Cup knockouts, making 168 runs at an average of 56.00 and a highest score of 59*. He also played in the 1996 World Cup semi-finals.
2. Mahela Jayawardene (SL) – 61.75
Mt: 7 Runs: 247 HS: 115*

Mahela Jayawardene played 7 World Cup knockout matches including the finals of 2007 and 2011 World Cups. His highest score was 115* and he scored 247 runs at an average of 61.75. He made another century in the 2011 World Cup, a 103* against India in another loss.
1. Sir Viv Richards (WI) – 75.75
Mt: 6 Runs: 303 HS: 138*

World Cup winner in 1975 and 1979 Sir Viv Richards played 6 World Cup knockout games scoring 303 runs at an average of 75.75 including a century, 138* in the 1979 World Cup final. Richards was one of the most devastating batsmen in the early stages of ODI cricket and he also led West Indies to the 1987 World Cup quarterfinals.

*All stats updated till 26th March 2015.