The cricket experts are often found saying that the real interest of a One-Day International (ODI) match arrives in the second innings of a game. Especially, in batting as performing in the second innings matters the most, due to scoreboard pressure.
For the past few decades, ODI cricket has seen a number of great batsmen. They have been successful in dominating the bowlers by accumulating a mountain of runs in their respective careers.
Although, when it comes to showing the intent in second innings, only a few batters have been able to shimmer, considering the scoreboard pressure behind them. Chasing a total in an ODI game is an art, and some batsmen have mastered in the respective field.
Let’s have a look at five batsmen with most runs in successful ODI chases:
5.) Adam Gilchrist
A man who set new standards for wicket-keeper batsmen in world cricket, Adam Gilchrist was the prominent cricketer for the Australian team. The left-handed batsman performed outstandingly well and impressed everyone with his attacking mode of batting. In 90 innings, the Western Australian clubbed 3750 runs with a remarkable average of 46.87. Gilchrist slammed 8 tons and 25 fifties during successful run chases.
4.) Jacques Kallis
Regarded as one of the best all-rounders the game witnessed, Jacques Kallis had been a prime asset for South African cricket during his playing days. Kallis made his presence felt in all the three departments of the game. The Cape Town cricketer had featured in 110 successful run-chases for his team and scored 3950 runs with an outstanding average of 56.42. He smashed three hundreds and 34 half-centuries.
3.) Ricky Ponting
Another Australian in this out of the ordinary list is former captain Ricky Ponting. The right-handed batsman dominated in his time with some of the most breathtaking knocks. One hundred eleven times Ponting featured in the successful run chases and out of those he batted in 104 innings. The Tasmanian cricketer piled up 4186 runs with a brilliant average of 57.34. He scored 8 centuries and 29 fifties.
2.) Virat Kohli
India captain and arguably one of the best limited-over batsman, Virat Kohli is the only active cricketer in this peculiar list. His assiduous performances in ODI format has made him one of the most stupendous batsmen of all-time. Kohli has led the team from the front in some jaw-dropping run chases. With a mind-boggling average of 96.21, Kohli has stockpiled a plethora of 5388 runs in 86 innings. The Delhi-born batsman has 22 hundreds and as many half-centuries to his name during the successful run chases.
1.) Sachin Tendulkar
Considered as the most complete batsman and the most worshipped cricketer in the world, Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar holds the highest spot in almost every major record. No wonder, he tops the list of most runs in successful run chases. The prolific run-maker has accumulated 5490 runs with an average of 55.45 during his 124 innings. The cricketing icon has smashed 14 tons and 31 fifties during the ODI run-chases.
