9 destructive ODI batsmen from India

Sachin was the mainstay of the Indian team
Sachin was the mainstay of the Indian team

#5 Yuvraj Singh

The elegant left-hander has produced some breathtaking innings to win games for India at major tournaments
The elegant left-hander has produced some breathtaking innings to win games for India at major tournaments

Yuvraj Singh has been arguably one of India’s cleanest strikers in the LOIs. When on song, Yuvraj makes looks batting look effortless with his power hitting.

Blessed with sublime timing, the elegant left-hander has produced some breathtaking innings to win games for India at major tournaments. With a high backlift, Yuvraj packs a punch while hitting the ball on the rise. Yuvraj is known for playing those expansive cover drives and lofting spinners for massive sixes.

Yuvraj has always saved his best knocks for the big stage. As a teenager, he exploded on the international stage with an enthralling 84-run knock against Australia in the ICC Champions Trophy in Kenya.

Most notably, Yuvraj was named as the Man of the Tournament at the end of the 2011 World Cup in recognition of his all-round prowess in the competition.

Yuvraj Singh's ODI stats

Matches- 304; Runs- 8701; Avg- 36.56; SR- 87.68; 100s- 14


#4 Rohit Sharma

Rohit has a wide array of scoring shots and can decimate the best of bowlers with utter disdain
Rohit has a wide array of scoring shots and can decimate the best of bowlers with utter disdain

Rohit Sharma has been one of India's most consistent openers across formats. Gifted with a wide array of scoring shots, Rohit can decimate the best of bowlers with utter disdain.

Rohit has a penchant for scoring big hundreds and his three double ODI tons are testimony to the same. Sharma has good footwork and uses his feet well against spinners. The 'Hitman' of Indian cricket can be one of the most lethal customers with the willow when he gets his eye in.

Among Rohit's many breathtaking knocks in ODI cricket, his monumental 209-run innings against Australia at Bengaluru ranks as arguably one of the most destructive innings played in ODI cricket.

Rohit Sharma's ODI stats

Matches- 224; Runs- 9115; Avg- 49.3; SR- 88.9; 100s- 29


#3 Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli ranks as one of the most explosive batsmen in ODI cricket
Virat Kohli ranks as one of the most explosive batsmen in ODI cricket

India’s run-scoring machine Virat Kohli ranks as one of the most explosive batsmen in ODI cricket. Kohli has taken batting to another level with his consistent run-scoring ability in different conditions.

Kohli isn’t one of the modern-day power hitters but relies on his special ability to pierce the gaps to perfection. A master at pacing his innings, Kohli accumulates his runs and then tears into the opposition in the slog overs.

The Indian captain, who is known to have led his side to victories in some fine run-chases has shown time and again that he can grind the opposition by scoring match-winning centuries.

Kohli's ability to score the big match-winning ODI tons is no hidden secret. One of his finest innings with the willow came when he smashed 183 off just 148 balls against arch-rivals Pakistan in the 2012 Asia Cup at Dhaka.

Virat Kohli ODI's stats

Matches- 248; Runs- 11867; Average- 59.3; Strike Rate- 93.25; 100s- 43


#2 Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin’s batting was a perfect blend of balance, sublime timing and exquisite footwork
Sachin’s batting was a perfect blend of balance, sublime timing and exquisite footwork

India’s greatest ever batsman was also one of their most fluidic stroke makers in ODIs. Sachin Tendulkar earned the nickname ‘Master Blaster’ for his exploits with the willow. Sachin could plunder the best of bowlers with his top-quality shotmaking.

Sachin’s batting was a perfect blend of balance, sublime timing and exquisite footwork. He had the knack of picking the length early and dispatching even good deliveries for boundaries.

He was strong on both sides of the wickets and could play the cut, pull or drive with the same ease. His trademark shot was the straight drive.

Equally strong against pace and spin, Sachin scored runs at a brisk pace in ODIs. Once set, he had the penchant to score big hundreds. The Mumbaikar became India's batting lynchpin for more than a decade.

Out of the many glittering knocks Sachin produced in ODIs, his quick-fire 98 off just 75 balls against Pakistan in the semifinals of the 2003 ICC World Cup ranks as one his finest performances with the willow.

Sachin's back-to-back centuries against Australia in the Coca-Cola Cup at Sharjah were instrumental in India lifting the trophy.

Sachin Tendulkar's ODI stats

Matches- 463; Runs- 18426; Avg- 44.83; SR- 86.23; 100s- 49


#1 Virender Sehwag

Sehwag could dismantle any bowling attack on his day
Sehwag could dismantle any bowling attack on his day

Virender Sehwag was one of India's most dangerous batsmen, given his approach of taking on the bowlers right from the first ball. The right-hander had all the shots in the book to wreak havoc on the best of bowling attacks.

Sehwag formed successful opening combinations with both Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly to provide India with some flying starts in ODIs. Sehwag had a very uncomplicated technique and relied on his superb hand-eye coordination for delivering the goods with the willow.

He didn't move his feet too much but picked up the length of the ball early. Sehwag became a nightmare for most bowling attacks and his mere presence at the crease sent shivers down the spines of the opposition.

Out of Sehwag's many whirlwind knocks, his double ton against the Windies where he smashed 219 off just 148 balls at Indore stands out as his most destructive ODI innings.

Virender Sehwag's ODI record

Matches- 251; Runs- 8273; Avg- 35.05; SR- 104.33; 100s- 15


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Edited by Alan John