Virat Kohli (L) and Sachin Tendulkar (R) (Source: AFP)
Since their first-ever ODI World Cup win in 1983, India have emerged as one of the most successful teams in the ODIs. In the 55-year history of ODI cricket since its inception in 1971, India have won three ICC titles in this format, including two ODI World Cups in 1983 and 2011, and the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013.
Unlike Test cricket, ODI cricket demands a different blend: adaptability, consistency, and game awareness. These are a few qualities that place the great batters way above the rest.
Hence, here, we’ll have a look at five Indian batters who have played the most number of ODIs, which reflects on their longevity and influence in 50-over cricket.
Five batters with the most ODIs for India
Sachin Tendulkar - 463 ODIs (1989-2012)
Sachin Tendulkar, one of the all-time batting greats, established himself as a significant benchmark in the ODIs. Sachin’s influence in the format includes the various factors like his consistency, longevity, and adapting to the changing conditions in the format during his ODI career of more than two decades from 1989 to 2012.
Sachin played 463 ODIs for India, the most appearances for any player in ODIs, overall and as an Indian. In these matches, he batted in 452 innings, scoring 18,426 runs, with an average of 44.83, with 49 centuries and 96 half-centuries. The Master Blaster is still the leading run-scorer of all-time in ODIs, even after 14 years since his last ODI appearance.
MS Dhoni - 347 ODIs (2004-2019)
The former World Champion skipper, MS Dhoni, was the first-ever captain of India, leading India to three glorious ICC titles in just six years. He led the side to win the inaugural T20 World Cup 2007, followed by the ODI World Cup title in 2011 and the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013. Besides that, Dhoni also established himself as one of the all-time ODI greats for India.
Captain Cool played 347 ODIs for India in his 15-year-long career from 2004 to 2019. In these matches, Dhoni also led the side in 200 games, more than half of his career’s total ODIs. In the 200 games he captained, India won 110, lost 74, had 5 tied matches, and 11 games ended without a result.
He scored 10,599 runs in 294 innings of these 347 ODIs, with an average of 50.23, hitting nine centuries and 73 half-centuries. Dhoni is second in the list of batters to play the most ODIs for India.
Rahul Dravid - 340 ODIs (1996-2011)
Defying the stereotypical reputation of a Test specialist, Rahul Dravid also proved his worth for India in the ODIs. Dravid featured in 340 ODIs for India, scoring 10,768 runs in 314 innings, hitting 12 centuries and 82 half-centuries. Out of these 340, Dravid captained India in 79 ODIs, registering 42 wins and 33 defeats.
Meanwhile, Rahul Dravid is the fifth leading run-scorer for India in ODIs, following former skipper Sourav Ganguly and the modern-day batting great, Rohit Sharma. Following Sachin and Dhoni, Dravid is the third batter to play the most ODIs for India.
Mohammad Azharuddin - 334 ODIs (1985-2000)
Mohammad Azharuddin was one of the most successful captains India has ever had in ODIs. Apart from that, he is the only Indian captain to lead the national side in three consecutive ODI World Cups, including 1992, 1996, and 1999, before falling in the fixing controversy.
Azharuddin is in fourth place in the list of the top five batters to play the most ODIs for India. He played 334 ODIs for India, scoring 9,378 runs in 308 innings at an average of 36.92, with 7 centuries and 58 half-centuries. He also led the side in 174 games, winning 90 and losing 76, including 2 tied games.
Virat Kohli - 311 ODIs (2008-Present)
The modern-day batting great, Virat Kohli, has broken or equalled most of the ODI milestones earlier achieved by the former legend, Sachin Tendulkar. Kohli surpassed Tendulkar’s record of most ODI centuries by scoring his 50th century in the World Cup 2023 semi-final against New Zealand. Kohli is currently the second-highest run-scorer of all time, both overall and for India.
The modern master has played 311 ODIs for India since his debut in 2008, more than 17 years ago. Since then, he has scored 14,797 runs in 299 innings, with a brilliant average of 58.71, hitting 54 centuries and 77 half-centuries. Besides that, he is the fifth Indian batter to play the most ODIs.
