This article discover the leading run-scorers and standout statistical performers who have mastered the art of batting second as opening batsmen in One Day International cricket.
Most Runs as Openers in ODI Run Chases
| Player | Innings | Runs | High Score | Average | Strike Rate | 100/50 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sachin Tendulkar (IND) | 180 | 7557 | 175 | 46.07 | 90.86 | 17/43 |
| Chris Gayle (WI) | 146 | 5513 | 162 | 41.45 | 92.39 | 12/34 |
| Sanath Jayasuriya (SL) | 183 | 5448 | 152 | 32.04 | 94.97 | 10/29 |
| Rohit Sharma (IND) | 108 | 5126 | 152* | 55.11 | 95.06 | 16/30 |
| Adam Gilchrist (AUS) | 121 | 4655 | 131 | 40.83 | 102.28 | 8/32 |
| Sourav Ganguly (IND) | 122 | 4385 | 135* | 39.86 | 73.43 | 6/31 |
| Desmond Haynes (WI) | 137 | 4377 | 133* | 37.41 | 60.30 | 4/35 |
| Tamim Iqbal (BAN) | 120 | 4034 | 154 | 36.01 | 82.12 | 3/32 |
| Graeme Smith (SA) | 95 | 3826 | 141 | 44.48 | 84.57 | 7/27 |
| Virender Sehwag (IND) | 113 | 3619 | 126 | 33.82 | 102.66 | 7/13 |
| Saeed Anwar (PAK) | 97 | 3553 | 131 | 42.8 | 80.00 | 10/17 |
| Shikhar Dhawan (IND) | 92 | 3538 | 132* | 43.14 | 91.13 | 8/19 |
Key Insights on Opening Batsmen with Most Runs in ODI Chases
Sachin Tendulkar’s Record-Breaking Opening Stats in ODI Run Chases
Sachin Tendulkar has scored the most runs as an opener in ODI run chases, aggregating 7557 runs in 180 chases.
Tendulkar has smashed the most fifty-plus scores in chases, recording 60 knocks as an opener.
The Master Blaster aggregated 3186 of his runs in India, the most by an opener in home run chases in ODIs.
Sachin enjoyed chasing against Australia, scoring 1733 runs in 36 innings, the most by an opener against a single team. He is also the only player to score 3000+ runs against the Aussies in ODIs.
In 1998, he scored 1293 while chasing, the most by an opener in a calendar year in the second innings in ODIs.
Tendulkar also holds the record for the most runs in unsuccessful ODI run chases among openers, with 2662 runs in 79 innings.
Top Century Makers and Performance in Successful ODI Chases
Tendulkar and Rohit Sharma are the only two openers to score more than 15 centuries in chases in ODIs.
4779 of Sachin’s 7557 runs came in wins, the most by an opener in successful run chases.
Tendulkar and Rohit are also the only openers with more than 10 hundreds in successful ODI run chases.
Desmond Haynes has remained not out the most times as an opener in ODI chases, staying unbeaten in 20 of 137 innings. See overall list of most not-outs in ODI run chases here.
Highest Individual Scores and Batting Averages for Openers Batting Second
Brendon McCullum has the highest strike rate while batting second in ODIs, scoring 1707 runs at a strike rate of 116.12.
Fakhar Zaman has smashed the highest individual score in an ODI run chase with a 193-run knock against South Africa in 2021.
Zaman’s 193 is also the highest individual score in a losing cause by an opener and the second-highest by any batter in ODIs.
Pathum Nissanka, Shai Hope, Shane Watson, and Sharma are the four openers with a batting average above 55 in ODI chases (minimum 1000 balls faced).
Check: Most Sixes in ODI Run Chases