5 countries with the highest win percentage in ODIs this decade

2484 completed games played by 23 teams, 3 World Cups, 2 Champions Trophies and some of the all-time greatest game - that is how ODI cricket spanned across this decade. The 2010s started with the anticipation of the 2011 World Cup and ended with the dramatic 2019 World Cup while all three World Cups of the decade were won by co-hosting teams (India, Australia, and England respectively). India and Pakistan took home the Champions Trophies in 2013 and 2017 respectively, both of which were held in England.

Sri Lanka with 256 games (242 completed) has played the most number of ODI matches this decade, while only five teams (India, Sri Lanka, Australia, Pakistan, and England) have played more than 200 games. As the decade comes to an end, we look back at the five most successful ODI teams of the 2010s in terms of win percentage.

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#5 New Zealand (Win Percentage - 53.84%)

With 98 wins from 182 complete games, New Zealand were one of the five teams to have a win percentage above 50%. Perennial dark horses New Zealand saw a dramatic turnaround when Brendon McCullum took over the reigns. They are one of the two teams along with India to enter the semifinals in all three World Cups this decade. They entered the semifinals of the 2011 World with an upset win over South Africa, who were one of the favorites for the tournament. The Kiwis started as favourites for the 2015 World Cup which they co-hosted with the Aussies, but the Australians crushed the Kiwi dreams with a one-sided encounter in the finals.

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The 2019 World Cup saw Kiwis stroll into the semifinals, where they upset the Indian juggernaut. However, the finals saw one of the most dramatic ODI matches ever, which went into a super over and then culminated with the winner being decided on the basis of boundary count. New Zealand were at the receiving end of one of the biggest heartbreaks the game has witnessed.

Note: Win % = Number of wins out of the total number of completed matches

Only teams having played a minimum of 100 games have been considered

#4 England (Win Percentage - 58.85%)

England finish the decade as the defending champions and the top-ranked ODI side

The Englishmen at the start of the decade and that at the end were two very different teams; the former being reluctant to adapt to the needs of modern-day ODI cricket while the later defining the modern-day approach for limited overs cricket. After a disappointing quarter-final loss in the 2011 World Cup, England lost the finals of the 2013 Champions Trophy to India. The 2015 World Cup saw a new low for English cricket as they bowed out from the group stage after losing against Bangaldesh.

The early exit paved way for what can be called one of the greatest turnarounds for a team. The fearless approach in batting was inculcated by bringing in limited over specialists, aided by flat tracks at home. There was a set template; going berserk with Root being the anchor and batting deep. They entered the 2019 as favourites. When pushed against the walls, England showed great character and beat India, New Zealand, and Australia enroute to the finals. A dramatic win in the finals against New Zealand, where the English were declared winners on the basis of boundary count after the super over was tied, saw England win their maiden World Cup.

England won 123 out of 209 completed games and finished as the fourth best in terms of win percentage this decade.

#3 Australia (Win Percentage - 60.97%)

The Aussies had a decent decade by their standards, ending as the fourth-ranked ODI team

Australia started the decade going through a minor transition. Many members of the invincible side of the 2007 World Cup had gone but the Aussies continued to dominate world cricket. They came into the 2011 World Cup after winning the Champions Trophy in 2009. The defending champions lost their first World Cup game since 1999 against Pakistan in the league stage, before losing out to eventual champions India in the quarter-finals.

The Aussies started as co-favourites in the 2015 World Cup and ended up lifting their fifth title. The only game they lost in the tournament was against New Zealand, who beat the yellow brigade by 1 wicket in a low-scoring thriller. They entered the 2019 World Cup with 8 consecutive ODI wins which followed a horror year in international cricket for Australia. They played like champions throughout the World Cup, only losing to India in the league stage, and yet another World Cup was on the cards. However, England had other ideas as they outplayed the Aussies in the semifinals.

Australia dominated for most parts of the decade, except for a brief period in 2018, when they won only 2 games out of 13 completed ODIs. With 125 wins out of 205 games, Australia stand third on the list.

#2 South Africa (Win Percentage - 62.29%)

South Africa have their task cut out and need to build a team from the scratch

South Africa, like England, finish the decade as a team pretty much unrecognizable from the team they were at the start of the decade; albeit in a negative way. Starting the decade as the team to beat in all formats, the Proteas lost their way once the members of their golden generation started to leave the stage. They entered the 2011 World Cup as one of the favorites but yet another choke in a knockout game saw them bow out of the tournament from the quarter-finals.

South Africa once again started as favourites in the 2015 World Cup, and looked certain to make their maiden appearance in the World Cup finals for the majority of the semifinal game against New Zealand; the same opponent who kicked them out in the quarter finals in 2011. Yet another choke, this time in fielding saw the whole team in tears on the field, which will go down as one of the most heart-aching moments of the decade. However, they were a pale shadow of themselves in the 2019 World Cup, which ended as one of their worst performances in World Cups ever. They ended the tournament with a win over Australia but were undeniably below par throughout the World Cup.

Despite the blip in the later stages of the decade, South Africa were very successful this decade, winning numerous bilateral series both home and away. With 114 wins from 183 completed games, the Proteas stand second in the list.

#1 India (Win Percentage - 64.88%)

India has unarguably been the team of the decade; winning a World Cup and another Champions Trophy

If ever there was a period of utter dominance by Indian team, it has to be this decade. India have the highest win percentage with 157 wins out of 242 completed games, 1 World Cup, 1 Champions Trophy, 2 World Cup semi-final appearances and 1 Champions Trophy final appearance. Except for a few away series during the transition phase after the 2011 World Cup, India have completely dominated the decade in ODI cricket.

The 2011 World Cup saw India becoming the first ever team to win the World Cup at home turf as they rolled past Australia, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka in the knockouts to lift the trophy. That marked the end of the golden era of Indian cricket which had held Indian cricket together in the 2000s. The 2013 Champions Trophy saw India go in with a completely new look from the 2011 World Cup, with MS Dhoni remaining as the last remnant and the bridge between a glorious past and a hopeful future. The Champions Trophy win gave the young team a renewed hope.

Despite not being in great form going into the 2015 World Cup, India kept on humiliating the opponents till they were halted by hosts Australia in the semifinals. The bowling was more lethal than ever, picking all 70 wickets on offer till the semifinal. The 2017 Champions Trophy saw Virat Kohli take over the baton from Dhoni, who was still there to guide his successor on the field. A shocking defeat to Pakistan in the tournament India had dominated saw them finish as the runner-ups in England.

Cometh the 2019 World Cup, India started as joint favourites along with England. They lost only to England in the league stage with convincing wins in almost every other game. A rare off-day for the top order saw India crash out of the semifinals against New Zealand. The scenes of a disappointed MS Dhoni returning to the dressing room after getting run out shattered millions of dreams. But despite the heart-breaking loss, India can proudly finish as the best ODI team of the decade; in terms of win percentage as well performances in ICC events.

Note: Win % = Number of wins out of the total number of completed matches

Only teams having played a minimum of 100 games have been considered.