Top 10 Batsmen with most runs against a single opposition in ODIs

ODI is a very entertaining format where batsmen usually dominate the bowlers. Every batsmen has a liking for a particular opposition and they relish to play against them. We have seen a particular batsman gain form and get back among the runs after playing against a particular team. There can be a psychological state they are in which gives them an advantage despite the potential of the bowling attack. Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar always reserved his best for the arch-rivals Pakistan and the mighty Aussies whereas Inzamam-ul-Haq and Sanath Jayasuriya had a special liking for the Indian bowlers. Here are the Batsmen with most runs against a single opposition in ODIs: 10. Aravinda de Silva v Pakistan – 2319: Aravinda De Silva. (© Getty Images) Aravinda de Silva was a wholesome batsman. He possessed solid technique and could play all the shots from the book which made him a very suitable ODI batsman. De Silva loved playing against Pakistan and scored 2319 runs against them. He played 75 matches in the span of 1984 and 2002 and scored these runs at an average of around 35. 9. Desmond Haynes v Pakistan – 2390: Desmond Haynes. (Photo Source: Getty Images) West Indies top order batsman Desmond Haynes batted with solid muscularity. Haynes can be called as an ODI specialist. He played 65 matches against Pakistan in which he scored 2390 runs. The ever smiling cricketer maintained an average of 41.92 and hit 4 centuries and 18 half-centuries. 8. Inzamam-ul-Haq v India – 2403: KANPUR, INDIA: Pakistani cricket captain Inzamam-Ul-Haq (R) smiles as he shakes hands with Indian opponent Sachin Tendulkar. (Photo credit: PRAKASH SINGH/AFP/Getty Images) The former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq’s favorite opposition was India. Inzi was an awesome player and loved to play his shots, being heavily built he backed his ability to clear the ropes and less frequently opted for singles and doubles. He scored 2403 runs against arch-rivals India in ODIs. These runs came at an average of 43.39 which included 4 centuries and 12 half-centuries. 7. Sanath Jayasuriya v Pakistan – 2517: Sanath Jayasuriya. (© LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/Getty Images) The fiery Sanath Jayasuriya expressed his love for Pakistan cricket team by demolishing them most of the times he pitched against them. He hit 2517 runs over Pakistan at an average of 32.68 in 82 matches which included 3 tons and 18 fifties. The ‘Matara Mauler’ did this at a strike rate of close to 90, which is very impressive. 6. Sachin Tendulkar v Pakistan – 2526: Sachin Tendulkar. (Photo Source: Getty Images) Sachin Tendulkar has always been at his best when playing against Pakistan. Some of the most memorable performances of his career had come against Pakistan. Tendulkar played 82 ODIs and scored 2526 runs against Pakistan. He scored 5 centuries and 16 half-centuries. His best knock against Pakistan is 141 which came at Rawalpindi in 2003. 5. Mahela Jayawardene v India – 2666: Sri Lankan cricketer Mahela Jayawardene. (Photo credit: JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images) Mahela Jayawardene has played India very well. Jayawardene never had any difficulty in hammering the Indian blowers and has hit 2666 runs in 87 ODIs. It includes 4 centuries and 17 half-centuries. He also has a World Cup final hundred against India, though in a losing cause. Mahela’s best innings is of 128 which he played at Sharjah way back in the year 2000. 4. Kumara Sangakkara v India – 2700: Sri Lankan batsman Kumar Sangakkara. (Photo credit: DIBYANGSHU SARKAR/AFP/Getty Images) Kumar Sangakkara features in this list because of his special run making prowess against India. Sanga first played versus India in 2000 and ended up playing a total of 76 matches against them, and scored 2700 runs at an average of around 40. Sanga also smashed 6 centuries and 18 half-centuries against the Asian counterparts. 3. Sanath Jayasuriya v India – 2899: Sri Lankan cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya plays a stroke. (Photo credit: RAVEENDRAN/AFP/Getty Images) Sanath Jayasuriya had a wonderful time playing against India. Jayasuriya played 89 ODIs against India and amassed 2899 runs in a span close to two decades. His average of 36.23 is not highly impressive, but his strike rate which is close to the three-figure mark is definitely noteworthy. Jayasuriya’s best knock against India came in the year 2000 at Sharjah where he hit a breathtaking 189. This also happens to be his career best knock. 2. Sachin Tendulkar v Australia – 3077: Sachin Tendulkar. (© Getty Images) Sachin Tendulkar loved tough challenges and the Australians gave him plenty of it. Tendulkar played 71 ODIs against the Kangaroos and hit 3077 runs at an average of 44.59. He also scored an amazing 9 centuries and 15 half-centuries against them. Tendulkar’s terrific knock of 175 against the Aussies at Hyderabad in 2009 was the best of them all. 1. Sachin Tendulkar v Sri Lanka – 3113: (Photo Source: AFP) Sri Lanka was also at the receiving end of Sachin Tendulkar’s run-scoring spree. He played his first ODI against the Lankan lions in 1990 and scored 3113 runs until the last time he played against them. In all, he played 84 ODIs and maintained a strike rate of around 87 all the while. (All stats updated till 29th Dec 2015)