In a recent conversation with Cricbuzz, former India opener Virender Sehwag shared his top five ODI batsmen, selecting players from various cricketing eras ahead of the 2025 Champions Trophy. His list includes two Indians, along with three players from South Africa, Pakistan, and the West Indies.
Sehwag ranked these top batsmen, starting with West Indian opener Chris Gayle at No. 5. Former South African captain AB de Villiers took the No. 4 spot, with whom Sehwag played alongside in the Delhi Capitals during the IPL between 2008 and 2010. At No. 3, Sehwag placed Pakistan’s middle-order legend Inzamam-ul-Haq, known for his dominance in the 1990s and 2000s. His top two choices consisted of Indian greats – with Sachin Tendulkar at No. 2 and Virat Kohli claiming the top spot.
Sehwag, who shared a long opening partnership with Tendulkar, including during India’s 2011 World Cup-winning campaign, named the following as his top-five ODI batsmen:
Chris Gayle
Virat Kohli
Sachin Tendulkar
Inzamam-ul-Haq
AB de Villiers
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These five batsmen boast extraordinary numbers in ODIs. Tendulkar is the format’s all-time highest run-scorer with 18,426 runs at an average of 44.83 and a strike rate of 86.23 from 463 matches. Kohli, the leader in ODI centuries with 50, has scored 13,963 runs at an average of 57.93 and a strike rate of 93.52 in 297 matches.
Inzamam ranks seventh on the all-time runs list with 11,739 runs at an average of 39.52 and a strike rate of 74.24 across 378 ODIs. De Villiers, Sehwag’s fourth pick, is the only player in ODI history with an average over 50 and a strike rate exceeding 100, having scored 9,577 runs at an average of 53.50 and a strike rate of 101.09 in 228 matches. Gayle, his IPL teammate, finished with 10,480 runs at an average of 37.83 and a strike rate of 87.19.
