Opening geniuses: Three batsmen with highest average as an ODI opener

In any format of the game, the team wants a good start from its openers to lay a good platform. In the limited over formats and especially the ODIs, the role becomes more important to score runs at a good pace and not lose wickets. In this article, we will be discussing those openers who have the highest batting average as an opener in ODIs.

Usman Khawaja – 53.63

Australian batter Usman Khawaja has been out of the Australian squad in recent times despite a great record in ODIs. As an opener in the 50-over format, he has scored 1019 runs at an excellent average of 53.63. He has hit two hundreds and 8 fifties while opening the innings so far with a high score of 104.

Rohit Sharma – 57.44

Indian opener Rohit Sharma has performed brilliantly since he was given the responsibility of opening the innings. He has scored 7238 runs as an ODI opener with an average of 57.44. This includes 27 centuries and 31 half-centuries. He also holds the record of three double tons as an ODI opener.

His highest score of 264 still seems unbreakable. He achieved this milestone against Sri Lanka in 2014. The first double ton came against Australia in 2013 where he scored 209 runs in an innings. He hit the third double hundred when he was the captain during the match against Sri Lanka in 2017.

Shai Hope – 88.14

West Indies opener Shai Hope has been great with the bat in the past few years. His record as an opener in the ODIs is just incredible. He has scored 1851 runs in 26 innings at an astonishing average of 88.14. Hope has slammed 8 hundreds and 9 fifties while opening in ODIs till now. His high score of 170 came against Ireland in 2019. Hope faced 152 balls in that knock and smashed 22 fours and 2 sixes.