ROHIT SHARMA (IND)
9205 runs in 227 ODIs with 29 centuries, average of 48.96 and best of 264
Rohit Sharma has had two halves of his ODI career. From his India debut in 2007 till 2013, he batted in the middle order and was even not picked in the Indian squad for the ICC World Cup 2011 based on form.
Things changed a lot after the retirement of Sachin Tendulkar and when Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir were out of the India ODI team after 2012 and India needed a new opening pair and MS Dhoni threw Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma together and Rohit showed the world his immense talent.
Rohit Sharma's best is yet to come in Test cricket, says India's batting coach Vikram Rathour
This led to Rohit becoming one of the greatest openers in ODI history, leading to him hitting the most runs in the ICC World Cup 2019 tournament and a record five centuries as well. He is the only batsman in ODI cricket with 3 double-centuries to his name including the highest ever ODI individual score of 264.
SACHIN TENDULKAR (IND)
9855 runs in 234 matches with 25 centuries, average of 46.70 and best of 200*
Sachin Tendulkar was in the second half of his career when the 21st century started and in the 234 ODI matches he played from 2000 to his retirement in 2012, Tendulkar scored 9855 runs with 25 centuries to his name.
He played some gem of an innings including 160 odd against New Zealand, a heart-breaking 175 against Australia, and the first-ever double century in men’s ODIs- 200* against South Africa. He ended his ODI career in the 2012 Asia Cup with a half-century.
RICKY PONTING (AUS)
10496 runs in 284 matches with 25 centuries, average of 42.49 and best of 164
Ricky Ponting, who made his ODI debut in 1995, saw the most fruitful phases of his career in the 21st century, scoring over 10,000 runs with 25 tons to his name including the best score of 164 in what is considered to be the best ODI of all-time, against South Africa.
Ponting also took over as captain of Australia ODI team from Steve Waugh in 2001 and led the Australia team to title wins in the 2003 World Cup in South Africa and 2007 World Cup in West Indies, as the Kangaroos went unbeaten in both the tournaments.
