Top 10 Batsmen with highest strike rate in ODIs

Gone are the days when you were deemed good enough for ODI cricket while scoring 50 or more runs with a 70+ strike rate. Today pacing up your innings is key to survive in international cricket and strike rates are key in determining it. The swiftness in the batsman’s approach and his acceleration as he gets set have now become the pillars of judgement for batting in limited overs cricket. The T20s have played a vital role in setting such high standards for briskness while batting. We have had some destructive power hitters and pinch hitters in our era. Their batting has left us wondering as if there’s any limit for the level of rapidness. Here we have a list of the batsmen with the best strike rates in One Day Internationals with a limit of having scored at least 3000 runs spanning their career. 10. Shane Watson (90.44) Shane Watson. (Photo Source: BCCI) Shane Watson has had multiple career highlights to underline his value to Australian cricket in all formats. He has got the natural ability to provide power-packed hitting and has been proven as a potential match winner for the Poms. With a strike rate of 90.44, having scored 5757 runs, Shane Watson starts our countdown list at No.10 with the best strike rate. 9. Sanath Jayasuriya (91.20) Sri Lankan cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya. (Photo by RAVEENDRAN/AFP/Getty Images) Sanath Jayasuriya was considered as the one of the most destructive openers in modern day cricket as well as a legendary figure in the Sri Lankan lineup. He had the capability to decimate any bowler from the cricketing world. Perhaps one of the biggest pinch hitters of all time, he dominated bowlers right from the beginning. He scored 13430 runs in One Day Internationals at an exceptional strike rate of 91.20. 8. Andrew Symonds (92.44) Andrew Symonds. (Photo Source: AFP) Andrew Symonds had an unabashed batting style and had the ability to hit boundaries at his will. He might be known as one of the most controversial figures but had his own style of producing some electrifying moments with the bat. He also displayed some athletic skills on the field. He stands eight in our list with a stupendous strike rate of 92.44 with a tally of 5088 runs. 7. Suresh Raina (93.76) Suresh Raina. (© Getty Images) Suresh Raina has been an elegant lower order batsman for India in the limited overs format. The left-hander has the ability to go for attacking shots right from the beginning and can clear the boundary comfortably which makes him a great finisher. He is also an electric fielder. With 5568 runs in the ODIs, he has an amazing strike rate of 93.76 and is seventh in the list of batsmen with highest strike rates. 6. Kapil Dev (95.03) Kapil Dev. (Photo Source: Getty Images) Kapil Dev was regarded as one of the greatest all rounders to have played the game and is also a World Cup winning captain. He batted freely in the lower order during his playing times and also displayed some magnificent flair. He had quite a few remarkable batting performances to his name, especially the 175 against Zimbabwe during the 1983 World Cup. With 3783 runs in the ODI format along with a great strike rate of 95.03 at his time, he stands sixth in the list. 5. Brendon McCullum (96.37) Brendon McCullum. (© Getty Images) Brendon McCullum on his day can brutalise any bowling attack in the world. The wicket-keeper batsman has helped the Kiwi side in providing electrifying starts and moulded the New Zealand side into a terrific unit under his leadership. He has scored 6083 runs at a brilliant strike rate of 96.37. His strike rate is a great proof of the fear he instils in the bowler’s mind. 4. Adam Gilchrist (96.94) Adam Gilchrist. (© Getty Images) Probably the most exhilarating cricketer of the modern age, Adam Gilchrist was a known power hitter. The left-hander is the most successful wicketkeeping batsman for Australia. His match-winning knock in the World Cup 2007 final against Sri Lanka was the highlight of his career. With an annihilating tally of 9619 runs, he had a marvellous strike rate of 96.94, thus having the fourth best strike rate. 3. AB de Villiers (99.87) AB de Villiers. (Photo Source: BCCI) There is no doubt that this man is one of the biggest sensations ever in modern day cricket. His majestic style of pinch hitting can take any bowler for the cleaners on a given day. He has received accolades worldwide for his uniqueness. With an extraordinary strike rate of 99.87 with 8742 runs, AB De Villiers stands third in the list. 2. Virender Sehwag (104.33) Indian batsman Virender Sehwag. (Photo by PUNIT PARANJPE/AFP/Getty Images) Popularly known as the Nawab of Najafgarh, Virender Sehwag is regarded as one of the most explosive opener in the history of cricket. He had the intent to hit any bowler for a boundary from the first ball he faced. His ability to score massively in a quick passage of time was breathtaking. His strike rate of 104.33 with a tally of 8273 just goes on to prove what sort of an impact he created for India. He is second in the list of the highest batting strike rate. 1. Shahid Afridi (117) (© INEKE ZONDAG/AFP/Getty Images) Arguably, the greatest match winner for Pakistan, Shahid Afridi has led Pakistan to victory in numerous occasions. He is a crowd puller and is known for slogging every ball coming his way. In a truly unique career, Afridi has proved to be very dangerous once he gets set. With an unmatched strike rate of 117 and 8064 runs to his name, Afridi leads the charts for the highest batting strike rate in One Day Internationals. All stats updated till 31st August 2016 Also read: 10 Worst rumours we have heard around cricket

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Top 10 Batsmen with highest strike rate in ODIs

4. Adam Gilchrist (96.94)

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