ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: Ranking current Indian batsmen by their stats in ICC events (ODIs)

"The World Cup is a very important way to measure the good players and the great ones. It is a test of a great player."- Pele

When the stakes are high, the pressure is overwhelming, when it matters the most, there are only a few players who put their hands up and perform on the grandest stage of them all and these are the innings which are captured in our memory and hearts forever.

Sachin's 98 against Pakistan, Ponting's 140* against India in the WC finals, Gilchrist's 149 in the 2007 WC finals, Yuvraj's 57 in Quarterfinal in 2011 WC, Gambhir's 97 and Dhoni's 91* in the finals of 2011 WC, Watson's 136* against England in the 2009 Champions trophy and more recent example of Fakhar Zaman's 114 in 2017 Champions Trophy Final are some of the finest individual performances with the bat in the ICC events.

Dealing with the pressure and expectations is sometimes a greater challenge than what the 22-yard offer. A few have triumphantly done it, and fewer have kept at it.

With less than eight months to go for the biggest cricketing event in the world- the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, let us see who has the best record in ICC ODI events among the current Indian batsmen.

Note: Players who have played less than five innings in ICC events(ODIs) miss out from this list.

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#5 Ravindra Jadeja

Matches: 18 | Innings: 9 | Runs: 152 | Average: 30.4|

Strike Rate: 109.4 |Highest: 47* |50s: 0 |100s: 0 |

Ravindra Jadeja, the Saurashtra all-rounder starts this list off. Jadeja, who is known more for his bowling than for his batting, has been performing well with the bat in the last couple of months.

In 2018, the left-handed batsman has accumulated 287 runs in nine international innings (all formats) at an average of 48. Moreover, the all-rounder caries a decent overall ODI record where he averages 31 at a respectable strike rate of 86.

Jadeja has a decent record when it comes to ICC ODI events. He averages 30.4 with the bat. But more importantly, he has a strike rate of 110 which is of significant value for the number at which he bats.

Jadeja, who will most probably bat at number 7 throughout the tournament, will be a part of the 'finishing crew' alongside Jadav and Dhoni and would try to help India in getting a lot of runs in the death overs to boost the teams total or to finish off run chases.

#4 MS Dhoni

Matches: 36 | Innings: 25 | Runs: 690| Average: 34.5|

Strike Rate: 89.26|Highest: 91* |50s: 5 |100s: 0 |

He has seen failures as well as is an epitome of success. He has been and still is a polarizing figure in the sport. He has faced severe criticism as well as has won praises from over 1.4 billion people. He is the most celebrated Indian captain of all time. He is often renowned as the greatest ODI player of all time(Adding up the various qualities he possesses) He is none other than Mahendra Singh Dhoni, probably the most iconic figure in Indian cricket history.

Dhoni is currently the most experienced player in ICC events in the world. He carries an excellent ODI record in which he has scored over 10000 runs at an average of 50.1 and a strike rate of 88.

The former India captain is often regarded as a big match player and as a player who has nerves of steel. However, his record in ICC ODI events tells us a different story. Excluding the iconic 91* in the 2011 CWC final, Dhoni has not played any other impactful innings in the 24 other chances he has had. 690 runs at an average of 34.5 in 25 innings are below average numbers for a player of Dhoni's stature.

Dhoni's form has seen a dip over the past few years. He has scored runs at an average of 39 in the last three years which are much less than his career average of 50.1. Hopefully, he will rediscover himself as he did during IPL 2018 and will have a triumphant 2019 World Cup.

#3 Rohit Sharma

Matches: 18 | Innings: 18 | Runs: 811| Average: 50.68|

Strike Rate:86.0|Highest: 137 |50s: 6 |100s: 2 |

Rohit Sharma is probably the best opener in white ball cricket in the world right now. Rohit carries an exceptional ODI record as an opener since 2013.

Rohit, in his 108 innings as an opener for India, has scored 5487 runs at an astonishing average of 58.37 and a strike rate of 93. Along with this, he has also scored 19 centuries and 25 half centuries as an opener for India. These add up to 44 50+ scores in 108 innings which means he notches up 50+ scores in every five matches he plays.

Rohit also has a good record in ICC ODI events where he has the experience of 18 matches. In these 18 matches, he has scored 811 runs at an average of 50.68.

Rohit Sharma is a genuine match winner who can single-handedly win games for his team. He has a record six scores of over 150 runs in ODI cricket including record three double centuries.

#2 Virat Kohli

Matches: 30 | Innings: 29 | Runs: 1116| Average: 55.80|

Strike Rate:86.51|Highest: 107 |50s: 6 |100s: 2 |

The Indian captain takes the number 2 spot on this list. Virat is currently ranked number 1 on the ICC ODI rankings and is without any doubt the greatest ODI player of this generation. Virat carries a Bradman like a record in ODI cricket where he has scored over 10200+ runs at a remarkable average of 59.83.

There are very few lists of modern-day batsmen in which Virat Kohli misses the top spot. Virat is the second most experienced player currently in India in ICC ODI events, second only to Dhoni.

Kohli's record in ICC ODI events is nothing different from his marvellous career record. In 29 innings in ICC events, he has accumulated 1116 runs at an average of 55.81 and a strike rate of 86.5.

Despite these stats, there is a significant fall in Kohli's ratio of innings played to 50+ scores in ICC events. He has only eight 50+ knocks in his 29 innings which means he gets to a 50+ score in every four innings. While in his career record, Kohli has 86 50+ knocks in 208 innings which means that he gets a 50+ score in almost every two and a half innings.

There is little doubt that India's success in the World Cup is directly proportional to Virat Kohli' form.

#1 Shikhar Dhawan

Matches: 18 | Innings: 18 | Runs: 1113| Average: 65.47|

Strike Rate:97.71|Highest: 137 |50s: 5 |100s: 4 |

If there is someone in this current Indian team who considerably raises his game for ICC tournaments, he is Shikhar Dhawan. The Indian opener has a good ODI career record and is a permanent fix in the team in white ball cricket.

Dhawan has played 115 ODI matches in which he has scored 4900+ runs at an impressive average of 45.7 and a strike rate of 94.3.

There is a massive rise in these stats when it comes to ICC tournaments. Dhawan, in his 18 innings in ICC ODI tournaments, has scored 1113 runs at an astounding average of 65.5 and a strike rate of 98.

In his ODI career, Dhawan has 38 50+ scores in 106 innings which means he gets a 50+ score every 3rd inning. In ICC events, Dhawan has nine 50+ knocks in 18 innings which sum up to be a half-century every second innings. He also has the record for most runs in ICC ODI events since 2013, second only to the retired Sanagakara.

Dhawan has been India's best batsman in ICC tournaments and hopefully, he will have a successful 2019 WC after which he can be designated as Mr. ICC events.