5 Indian batsmen with most 50 plus scores in ODI cricket

Indian batsmen have enthralled and captivated cricket aficionados across the world with their ethereal deeds with the willow in ODI cricket.

From Kapil Dev’s belligerent 175 that saved India from the jaws of defeat in the 1983 World Cup, to Sachin Tendulkar’s magical 143 at Sharjah, where the Australian bowling attack was smashed to a pulp, to the murderous 183 that Dhoni conjured against Sri Lanka, to Virat Kohli’s blistering 133 at Hobart that just pulverised the opposition, Indian batsmen have produced some riveting performances in ODI cricket.

In this article, let us look at five Indian batsmen who have the most fifty plus scores in ODI cricket.

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#5 MS Dhoni - 83 Fifty plus scores

Dhoni will go down as the greatest wicket keeper produced by India in ODIs

At no.5, comes India’s greatest wicket keeper batsman, MS Dhoni. In an illustrious career spanning 15 years, Dhoni has scored 73 fifties and 10 hundreds in ODI cricket, which translates to 83 fifty plus scores in ODI cricket.

His ability to take the match deep, and his ability to back himself in the face of adversity makes Dhoni arguably the greatest finisher in the history of ODI cricket. Additionally, he is only the second Indian cricketer after Sachin Tendulkar to feature in 350 ODIs for India.

RECORD: Innings: 297, Runs: 10773, Average: 50.57, 50’s: 73, 100’s: 10, 50+ Scores: 83

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#4 Sourav Ganguly - 94 Fifty plus scores

Watching Ganguly bat, was like watching a stream in full flow

Sourav Ganguly will go down as the greatest left hander produced by India in ODI cricket. ‘The Prince Of Calcutta’ played 300 innings for India and scored 22 hundreds and 72 fifties, taking his tally of fifty plus scores to 94.

Watching Ganguly bat was like watching a stream in full flow. His flowing cover drive through the off side and his towering sixes over mid-wicket made him an absolute joy to watch.

At the top of the order, Ganguly formed a formidable opening combination with the legendary Sachin Tendulkar. The two icons dismantled several bowling attacks and are the most successful opening pair in ODI cricket.

RECORD: Innings: 300, Runs: 11363, Average: 41.02, 50’s: 72, 100’s: 22, 50+ Scores: 94

#3 Rahul Dravid - 95 Fifty plus scores

Dravid has 95 scores of fifty or more in ODIs

At No.3 comes the ‘Wall’, Rahul Dravid. Dravid played 344 matches across 16 years and scored 12 hundreds and 83 fifties, taking his tally of 50 plus scores to 95 in ODI cricket. Dravid is also the fourth highest run scorer for India in ODIs, with 10889 runs to his name.

Dravid was a batsman who followed the coaching manual to perfection. His pristine square cuts through the off side and his majestic flick past mid-wicket left bowlers searching for answers.

RECORD: Innings: 318, Runs: 10889, Average: 39.16, 50’s: 83, 100’s: 12, 50+ Scores: 95

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#2 Virat Kohli - 95 Fifty plus scores

Virat Kohli has emerged as the undisputed monarch of modern day cricket

Virat Kohli is just 30 years old but already figures at No.2 in the list. The Indian skipper has emerged as the monarch of all that he has surveyed and has taken apart bowling attacks across the world with disdain.

Kohli has played 228 innings for India and has scored 41 hundreds and 54 fifties, taking his tally to 95 scores of 50 or more in ODI cricket. Kohli is also touted by many as the man who can go past most of Sachin Tendulkar’s records in ODI cricket.

RECORD: Innings: 228, Runs: 11286, Average: 59.40, 50’s: 54, 100’s: 41, 50+ Scores: 95

#1 Sachin Tendulkar - 145 Fifty plus scores

Tendulkar has 145 scores of fifty or more in ODIs

Topping the list is Sachin Tendulkar. Arguably the most complete batsman in the history of the game, Tendulkar owns just about every single batting record in ODI cricket, including that of the most runs(18426), most hundreds(49), most fifties(96) and most man of the match awards(62).

Tendulkar has played a whopping 463 ODIs for India has crossed the fifty run mark 145 times. His ability to conjure the straight drive with minimum fuss, made bowlers gape at him in awe, and his ability to flick the ball between mid-wicket and square leg with the precision of a surgeon made opposition captains scratch their heads in utter disbelief.

He was the torch bearer of the nation for almost a quarter of a century and carried the hopes of a billion Indians every time he strode out to bat.

RECORD: Innings: 452, Runs: 18426, Average: 44.83, 50’s: 96, 100’s: 49, 50+ Scores:145