New Zealand vs India 2020: Top 4 Indians with most ODI runs in SENA countries

Unlike other sports, cricket depends on various external factors like the nature of the pitch, weather conditions, and toss. Batsmen belonging to the subcontinent (India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh) are used to slow, less bouncy, and spin-friendly nature of the pitches from the beginning of their playing career.

As a result, they have always found it challenging to adapt to the fast, bouncy wickets and seaming conditions in the SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia) countries.

Hence, it is a challenge for every subcontinental batsman to excel in SENA countries. Since the conditions are a bit adverse, the subcontinental batsmen hold their performances in these countries in high regard. On that note, let us look at the top four Indian players who scored the most ODI runs in SENA countries.

#4. Rahul Dravid

Rahul Dravid, the former Indian skipper, is one of the most prolific players in the history of cricket. Nicknamed ‘The Wall,’ Dravid is famous for his several stubborn knocks and rescue acts in the Test arena. Since Dravid is often labelled as a Test specialist, his limited-overs statistics have always gone under the radar.

In 344 ODIs, Dravid has scored 10889 runs with 12 centuries and 83 half-centuries. Besides, he captained the Indian team in the ODI for a brief period. Despite boasting such incredible numbers in the ODI format, he is still underrated in the limited-overs format by many.

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Known for his consistency, Dravid has excelled all over the world during his playing days. In the SENA countries, Dravid has scored 3138 runs in 92 ODIs with three centuries and 29 half-centuries. Some of his greatest knocks in these nations came during the ICC World Cup 1999 that was held in England. He topped the runs chart by scoring 461 runs in eight innings with two 100s and three 50s. Despite his heroics, India crashed out of the tournament at the Super Six stage.

Matches - 92, Runs - 3138, Average – 41.28, High Score - 145, 100s - 3

Note: All statistics as of February 7, 2020

#3. Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma, the current no.2 ICC ODI batsman, is arguably one of the best openers in the history of the limited-overs format. In 224 ODIs, Rohit has scored 9115 runs with 29 centuries and 43 half-centuries. Besides, he is the only player in the history of cricket to score three double hundreds in ODIs.

Just like his skipper Kohli, Sharma has dominated the opposition all around the world in limited-overs format for the past 4-5 years. In the SENA countries, he has scored 3356 runs in 82 ODIs with 13 100s and 14 50s. Even in the recently concluded 2019 World Cup, which was held in England, he topped the batting chart with 648 runs in just nine innings. In the process, he became the first player in the history of the tournament to score five centuries in a single edition.

After a strong showing in the T20I series against New Zealand, he was expected to carry on his excellent form in the ODI series. However, an unfortunate calf muscle injury ruled him out of the remainder of the tour.

Matches - 82, Runs - 3356, Average – 47.94, Highest Score – 171*, 100s - 13

#2. Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli, the current Indian skipper, will definitely go down as one of the greats to play the game of cricket. In 246 ODIs, Kohli has amassed 11843 runs with an astonishing batting average of 59.81. With an amazing tally of 43 100s and 58 50s, Kohli has scored runs for fun all over the world.

Based on his current run of form, we can expect the Indian skipper to move past Sachin’ Tendulkar's historic tally of 49 100s in ODIs before the end of this year. Besides, it is expected that the Indian skipper to end up his playing career with most international centuries in the history of cricket.

In the SENA countries, Kohli has scored 3919 runs in 85 ODIs with 10 centuries and 24 half-centuries. Barring the odd 2014 tour against England, Kohli has rarely failed in the overseas conditions in recent years. His remarkable 133 runs from 86 balls against Sri Lanka at Hobart in the 2012 Commonwealth Bank Series will always remain his best performance in the SENA countries.

Matches - 85, Runs - 3919, Average – 58.49, High Score – 160*, 100s - 10

#1. Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar is the proud owner of numerous records in international cricket. In a career spanning over two decades, he has dominated the bowlers all over the world in both Tests and ODIs. In 463 ODIs, the Little Master has amassed 18426 runs with a historic tally of 49 centuries and 96 half-centuries.

In the SENA countries, he has scored 4816 runs in 135 matches with nine centuries and 25 half-centuries. In particular, he topped the runs chart of ICC World Cup 2003 that was held in South Africa.

It is a well-known fact that the former Mumbai batsman was the first to reach the double hundred landmark in ODIs in 2010. However, before that innings, Sachin has come closer to breaching that landmark on several occasions. India’s 3rd ODI against New Zealand at Christchurch in the 2009 tour was one such occasion. Batting first, he cracked 163 runs in 133 deliveries with five overs left in the innings. However, an unfortunate muscle pull forced him to retire hurt midway during the 45th over.

Some of his most exceptional performances in the SENA countries include an unbeaten knock of 117* and 91 in the 2008 Commonwealth Bank Series Finals against Australia and a dream run in the 2003 ICC World Cup.

Matches - 135, Runs - 4816, Average – 38.22, High Score – 163*, 100s – 9