Top 5 consistent batsman in ODI cricket – 2013

Some fantastic cricket has been played throughout the year, some cricketers came into a good run of form but failed to sustain it, while others have shone throughout the season producing sizzling performances to thrill the fans. At SPORTZWIKI, we recognise the Top 5 Most Consistent ODI Batsmen in the world for 2013:-

1. Virat Kohli

The swash-buckling top order batsman has been in scintillating form this year, helping himself to four ODI tons, none more special than the unbeaten 100 off 52 balls against Aussies at the Sawai Mansingh stadium in Jaipur to guide India to a famous run-chase. He also became the fastest player to reach 17 hundreds in ODI cricket. He became the fourth Indian batsman in ODI to hit 1000 or more runs in three or more consecutive years after Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and MS Dhoni. He smashed the fastest ODI century by an Indian and the seventh fastest ever. He also holds the record of making 11 tons in chases after Sachin Tendulkar, each one of them resulting in a successful chase for India.

2. Misbah-Ul-Haq

Misbah-Ul-Haq holds the record for having scored the most fifties (33) without ever having scored a century. The Test and ODI skipper of Pakistan was the brightest spark in a disappointing Champions Trophy campaign for his side, as he notched up 173 runs in 3 innings at a mammoth average of 86.50. Misbah’s impressive form with the bat continued in the West Indies tour where he always had to rescue his team from eminenet collapses time and again. He scored four half centuries in five matches at an average of 65.00, guiding Pakistan to a 3-1 series triumph. He holds the record for having scored the most fifties (13) in a calendar year with Sachin Tendulkar and he can break the record of most fifties in the upcoming series with Sri Lanka.

3. Shikhar Dhawan

2013 has been a fairytale year for Shikhar Dhawan. After spending years in the domestic circuit looking for his big chance, the Delhi batter has finally stamped his mark on the Indian team with a series of solid batting displays. He made the second highest score i.e 248 runs of 150 balls in a List A career against South Africa A. He smashed the fastest Test century against Australia in his Test debut. He became the first player to hit 5 ODI centuries in least matches (28), and his tally of 5 ODI centuries in 2013 is the highest by any batsman in the world. The Indian opener has notched up 1162 runs at an average of 52.80 and will look to continue his good form in the ODIs against South Africa.

4. George Bailey

A late bloomer by cricketing standards, George Bailey has had to wait to get his chance in the Australian ODI Team, but his consistent performances looks to have finally won over the selectors which resulted in earning him an Ashes call-up. After scoring his first ODI century against the West Indies in February, Bailey continued his good form in the series against India earlier this year, where he notched up 478 runs at an average of 95.60, the highest by any cricketer in that series.

5. Rohit Sharma

In 2013, the Mumbai born middle-order batsman was experimented as new opening batsman for India patnering Shikhar Dhawan for the Champions Trophy. The successful starts given by this fresh opening pair gave India’s middle order the platform to get good scores, helping India win the Champions Trophy and the tri-nation series in the West Indies. Rohit continued his good form into the home series against Australia when he scored an unbeaten 141 in Jaipur and an impressive 209 in Bangalore to clinch the series for India. He became the third player to score double ton with 16 sixes in ODI after Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag. He broke the world record for most sixes hit in an ODI innings in Bangalore.