Virender Sehwag Names His Top 5 ODI Batters of All Time

Former Indian opener and 2002 Champions Trophy winner Virender Sehwag has revealed his list of the five greatest ODI batters of all time, featuring two Indian cricketing icons alongside legends from Pakistan, South Africa, and the West Indies.

In an interview with Cricbuzz, Sehwag provided insights into his selections, reminiscing about the challenges of facing some of these players and their impact on the game.

Chris Gayle at No. 5 – The ‘Universe Boss’

Sehwag began his list with Chris Gayle, recalling the West Indian opener’s dominance during the 2003 ODI series against India, where Gayle smashed three centuries in a seven-match series.

“At No.5, I have Chris Gayle. He’s an absolutely destructive batter. He thrashed us so much in that series, I can’t quantify it,” said Sehwag.

Gayle, known for his aggressive batting and effortless six-hitting ability, remains one of the most feared openers in limited-overs cricket.

AB de Villiers at No. 4 – The 360-Degree Genius

At No.4, Sehwag picked former South African captain AB de Villiers, a player he shared the dressing room with at Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) and who later became an icon at Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

“I really loved his batting style. He has played lots of great innings, and he’s the only one who can go off balance but still clear the ropes,” Sehwag said.

De Villiers holds the record for the fastest ODI century (31 balls) and revolutionized modern white-ball cricket with his unorthodox stroke play.

Inzamam-ul-Haq at No. 3 – Pakistan’s Run-Chase Maestro

Sehwag’s third pick was Inzamam-ul-Haq, the former Pakistan captain renowned for his ability to anchor the innings and chase down targets under pressure.

“He used to walk in at No.4 and control the flow of the innings. Back in the day, chasing at 7 or 8 runs per over was difficult, but Inzamam made it look easy,” Sehwag said, recalling their intense battles during the 2003-04 India-Pakistan series.

Inzamam was a pillar of Pakistan’s batting lineup for over a decade, known for his calmness and ability to steer his team to victory.

Sachin Tendulkar at No. 2 – The Master Blaster

At No.2, Sehwag named his longtime opening partner Sachin Tendulkar, the highest run-scorer in ODI history.

“He was my role model. I wouldn’t have picked up cricket if he wouldn’t have played,” said Sehwag. “Whenever I used to walk out to open with him, I felt like I was walking with a lion. All eyes were on him, and I could score runs freely.”

Tendulkar, who scored 18,426 runs in ODIs, was a pioneer in white-ball cricket and inspired generations of cricketers, including Sehwag himself.

Virat Kohli at No. 1 – The Chase Master

Topping Sehwag’s list was Virat Kohli, who has set new standards in ODI batting with his unmatched consistency and hunger for runs.

“I don’t think there’s any other player like Virat Kohli. He was so consistent that he was given the title ‘Chase Master,’” Sehwag remarked.

Kohli, who surpassed Tendulkar’s record of 49 ODI centuries in 2023, has excelled in high-pressure chases, scoring 7,857 runs while batting second, with 27 of his 50 ODI centuries coming in run-chases.

“He took his time, but after 2011, he completely changed his game to become that consistent,” Sehwag added.

While Gayle and de Villiers brought innovation and power to the game, Inzamam, Tendulkar, and Kohli defined consistency and composure in run-chases.

With cricket evolving rapidly, Sehwag’s list highlights the best from different generations, cementing their legacies as the greatest ODI batters of all time.