Most runs in a 6 match bilateral ODI series

The possibility of not having an outright winner makes a six-match bilateral ODI series a very rare feature in international cricket. The India- South Africa series played in the ‘Rainbow nation’ has given us a chance to look back at some outstanding performances of a six-match bout between teams in the past.

Virat Kohli rewrote certain record books in the recently concluded series by scoring 558 runs in six matches. Here we'll look at players who have scored most runs in a six-match bilateral ODI series.

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#5 Rahul Dravid vs Pakistan in 2004-05

It was the summer of 2005 and arch-rivals Pakistan were touring India for a 6 match ODI series and a 3 match Test series. After the Test leg ended 1-1, both the teams battled it out for the ODI honours.

Dravid top-scored in the series and finished with 308 runs at an average of 51.33 to his name. He scored his runs at a healthy strike rate of 80, significantly higher than his career strike rate of 71.24.

The legendary right-hander's batting exploits included a century in the series opener in Kochi which India went on to win. He also notched up a couple of half-centuries in the series.

However, the Wall of Indian cricket could not save his team from a 4-2 drubbing at the hands of their neighbours.

#4 Marcus Trescothick vs India in 2002

The stylish left-hander ended the series as the highest run-getter

India was once again the venue for a six-match bilateral ODI series, this time against the visiting Englishmen. The England opener made merry on batting friendly sub-continent pitches as he began the series with a century at the Eden Gardens, albeit in a losing cause. He was adjudged Man of the Match for his 121 run knock that came at better than run-a-ball.

After a string of decent performances, Trescothick delivered another Man of the match performance in the final match played at the Wankhede in Mumbai. He narrowly missed out on another century, but his 80-ball 95 ensured an England victory, thus helping them to end the series 3-3.

The stylish left-hander ended the series as the highest run-getter with 318 runs scored at an average of 53 and a healthy strike rate of 104.60.

#3 Nicky Boje vs New Zealand in 2000

Boje had a blockbuster series with the bat against the Blackcaps

Nicky Boje is a surprise entry on this list as the South African was known more for his left arm orthodox bowling. In 2000, the Kiwis visited South Africa for a six-match ODI series which saw, undoubtedly, Boje’s best performance with the bat.

The bowling all-rounder ended up scoring 355 runs in the series at an average of 88.75 and a strike rate of 97.26, both of which were much higher than his career returns of 26.67 and 88.70 respectively.

Boje started the series with a century in a rain-affected match that ended as a no result. In the third ODI of the series, he made a career-best 129 off 114 deliveries, helping the home team achieve an easy victory.

He then scored an 11-ball 20 in the fourth match in a close encounter. Having scored two centuries in the series, the only two of his career, Boje won the award for the Player of the series.

#2 Shikhar Dhawan vs South Africa in 2018

'Gabbar' had a roaring series with the bat

Unlike his topsy-turvy ride in Test cricket, Shikhar Dhawan has been a very safe bet for the Indians as far as limited overs cricket is concerned. He is a beautiful stroke-maker and along with Rohit Sharma, sets the tempo for the middle order to come in and capitalise on.

On India's tour to South Africa in 2018, Dhawan ensured that his team got off to a solid start as he not just negated the threat of the new ball but also scored prolifically. In the six innings of the series, Dhawan amassed 323 runs at more than a healthy average of 64.60. He scored a century in the fourth ODI of the series, which happened to be his 100th ODI, and in the process became the first Indian to achieve this rare feat.

The pace at which he scored his runs, at a strike rate of 110, gave other batsmen more time at the crease to settle in. The Delhi opener also notched up a couple of half-centuries as he ended the series as the second highest run-getter and played a pivotal role in helping India create history by winning their first ever series in the Rainbow nation.

#1 Virat Kohli vs South Africa in 2018

Virat Kohli showed the world why he is already a legend of the game

Dhawan had his best ever series and yet ended up second on the list for most runs in the six-match series. It had to take a special effort to beat that tally of runs and it was none other than captain Virat Kohli who continued his defiance of the famous law of averages to end as the highest scorer, not just in this series, but in any six-match bilateral ODI series played in the history of the game.

Kohli began the series with a score of 112, helping India chase down a tricky 269 and also brought up his first century on South African soil. In the third ODI, Virat faced 159 balls and scored a valiant 160*, again aiding India to cruise to a victory. An unbeaten century in the last ODI showed that Virat had attained a level at which he cannot be compared to the present lot.

The Indian captain, Player of the Series, ended up scoring a massive 558 runs in six matches at a mind-boggling average of 186 and a strike rate in excess of 90. In the process, he became the batsman to score most runs in a bilateral series (any number of matches). Leading from the front, he ensured India thumped the hosts 5-1 in their own backyard and etched his name in the golden pages of history.