Top 6 Indian batsmen with highest ODI strike rate in last 5 years

Strike rates don’t always do justice to the importance of a player’s contribution to the team’s cause, but over a period of time, unless your team has been losing too frequently, it does prove a reasonable judge of your contribution, especially in limited overs cricket.Here are the top 6 Indian batsman who have the highest strike rate in ODI format over the last 5 years.Note: Only the players who have scored more than 1500 runs in matches since October 7, 2009.Special mention: Gautam Gambhir (85.97), Ravindra Jadeja (85.28) and Rohit Sharma (79.90) come 7th, 8th and 9th in the list.

#6 Mahendra Singh Dhoni

88 Innings; 3458 Runs; Strike Rate: 87.98

The Indian captain has slowed down a bit in recent years and looks to consolidate the innings before opening up in the final overs. The stats too confirm that his number of runs per 100 balls in last 5 years is almost two notches short of his career strike rate: 89.21.

Five of his 9 ODI tons have come after 2009 to go with his 23 half-centuries. The wicket-keeper batsman’s knock of 139*(121 balls) came after India were 4 down for 67 against Australia in Mohali, 2013. The Ranchi born’s is also a proud owner of a magnificent average of 58.61 in last 5 years and has remained unbeaten on 29 occasions.

#5 Shikhar Dhawan

42 Innings; 1659 Runs; Strike Rate: 89.67

The left-handed opener made his ODI debut in 2010 and has cemented his place off late in the limited overs formats. The left-right combination of Dhawan and Rohit Sharma has been reasonably successful in one-dayers with the Delhi-lad being the more aggressive partner.

With 5 centuries and 8 fifties since his debut, Dhawan has often contributed at a healthy strike rate and will always look to take on the bowlers in powerplays. The batsman was at the peak of his abilities in the Champions Trophy, 2013 in England where he scored 363 runs at a strike rate of 101.39.

#4 Virat Kohli

122 Innings; 5432 Runs; Strike Rate: 90.88

The batting sensation holds the record for the fastest hundred in one-day internationals for India with his 52-ball 100 against Australia in Jaipur, 2013. The Indian vice-captain also averages a remarkable 51.73 and scored 5432 runs in the period.

19 tons and 28 half-centuries give an insight into the level of dominance the player enjoyed over the years in all parts of the world. The right-hander also equalled the great Vivian Richards’ record as the fastest to reach 5000 ODI runs (in terms of innings batted). The former Under-19 captain has a great record while chasing and his strike-rate shoots up to 93.17 at 64.44 runs per dismissal during second innings of one-dayers.

#3 Sachin Tendulkar

33 Innings; 1523 Runs; Strike Rate: 92.02

The ‘Master Blaster’ takes the third place in the list even though the Mumbaikar was at the twilight of his career in these years. As one would expect, the batting great scored 5 centuries and 5 fifties before bidding farewell from ODIs in 2012.

Notably, the legendary batsman broke the 200-run barrier in one-day international against South Africa in 2010 before going on to play a valuable hand in India’s successful World Cup campaign in 2011. The veteran recorded 1523 runs at a stupendous average of 49.12 during the period.

#2 Suresh Raina

109 Innings; 3166 Runs; Strike Rate: 95.44;

The middle order batsman from Uttar Pradesh has played some handsome number of pacy knocks that enabled him to be the second most quick-scoring Indian during this period. Despite some setbacks, Raina in limited overs format has been a regular for India and his contributions lower down the order have more often than not, helped India to many memorable victories.

The 27-year-old has hit 2 centuries, 19 half-centuries and averages 35.97 since 2009. His most recent hundred came against England at Cardiff that was held highly for his positive and elegant stroke making.

#1 Virender Sehwag

45 Innings; 1681 Runs; Strike Rate: 115.37

The maverick opener leads the list by far with a incredible strike rate that too at a healthy average of 38.20. During this period, the right-hander smashed 4 centuries – with the highest score of 219, as he became the second double centurion in the format, when he smashed the double against West Indies in 2011.

The Delhi cricketer also had a remarkable series in New Zealand (2009) and also played a great role in India’s 2011 World Cup triumph in the subcontinent. The senior batsman was however dropped from the side after 2012/13 home series against Pakistan as a result of a string of disappointing failures dating back to the Commonwealth Bank tri-nation tournament in Australia in 2011/12.