Stats: Top 5 batters with the highest ODI average (Min 5000 runs)

Aggression and consistency need to be just right for One Day Internationals (ODIs). Very few players have been able to consistently keep high averages throughout long careers, even though several others have been great in this version. The top 5 scorers with the best ODI averages and more than 5000 runs are as follows:

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5. MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni, the ex-captain of India, was infamous for his calmness and finishing skills. Dhoni, who scored more than 10,000 runs with an average of more than 50, was a master at chasing down scores and running innings without losing his life. When there seemed to be no way the team could win, he took them to victory on several occasions.

4. AB de Villiers

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With his innovativeness and explosiveness, AB de Villiers, the "360-degree" batsman, transformed ODI batting. His class and flexibility are seen from the fact that, despite his aggressive play, he averaged over 53 in his 9,000+ run ODI career. He remains one of the world's all-time greats and South Africa's finest batter.

3. Michael Bevan

Bevan was Australia's inaugural "finisher" and, with Dhoni as his sole rival, perhaps the greatest the game has ever produced. He was active during the 1990s and the early 2000s, remaining undefeated and often anchoring tough chases to maintain his career average above 53 in over 230 matches.

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2. Babar Azam

The core of Pakistan's ODI batting has been captain Babar Azam. Babar, who is renowned for his graceful stroke play, has amassed over 6000 runs at an average of over 55, demonstrating his flexibility and ability to anchor innings under pressure.

1. Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli, often rated among the greatest ODI players of this era, has a combination of skill, temperament, and eagerness to score runs. He has been a match-winner for India due to his incredible consistency over the years, especially while chasing. Even after crossing 14,000 runs, he has an average of nearly 58, which is astronomical.

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