Hashim Amla blind ranks favourite ODI batters ahead of IND vs SA 2025 series; picks Rohit Sharma below Babar Azam

Former South African batter Hashim Amla blind ranked his favorite ODI batters, including some of the most accomplished superstars of the sport (via Beard before wicket Instagram handle). Amla had no hesitation in placing Sachin Tendulkar at the top of the mountain.

Tendulkar is the all-time leading run-scorer in ODIs with 18,426 runs at an average of almost 45, including 49 centuries, second all-time. Amla picked the leading ODI centurion, Virat Kohli, at No. 2.

Kohli is second on the all-time run-scoring chart in ODIs with 14,255 runs, including a record 51 centuries. Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting came in at third on Amla's ranking, having led the Aussies to back-to-back ODI World Cup titles in 2003 and 2007.

Ponting is also the fourth all-time leading run-scorer in the 50-over format with 13,704 runs, including 30 centuries.

The surprise in Amla's ranking came when he picked Pakistan batter Babar Azam at No. 7, one spot ahead of Indian legend Rohit Sharma. While Babar boasts incredible ODI numbers with over 6,000 runs at an average of 53.04, Rohit holds the record for most ODI double-centuries and the most centuries in ODI World Cups.

The former Indian captain is also ninth on the all-time run-scoring list in ODIs with 11,370 runs at an average of over 49 and a strike rate of almost 93.

Hashim Amla picks between MS Dhoni and AB de Villiers to round off his top five

The final two names of Hashim Amla's top five came down to former Indian and South African right-handers, MS Dhoni and AB de Villiers. The South African legend picked his former teammate, De Villiers, at No.4, with Dhoni coming in at five.

De Villiers finished his ODI career as the only batter with an average of over 50 and a strike rate in excess of 100. He also holds the record for the fastest ODI century, achieving the feat off 31 deliveries in 2015.

Meanwhile, Dhoni led India to the title in the 2011 ODI World Cup, with a Player of the Match performance in the finale. He finished his 50-over career with 10,773 runs at an average of over 50 in 350 outings.

Finally, Amla picked former Sri Lankan wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara at No.6, followed by himself and David Warner at the final two spots.

Hashim Amla's Top 10 favorite ODI batters

1. Sachin Tendulkar
2. Virat Kohli
3. Ricky Ponting
4. AB de Villiers
5. MS Dhoni
6. Kumar Sangakkara
7. Babar Azam
8. Rohit Sharma
9. David Warner
10. Hashim Amla

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Edited by Venkatesh Ravichandran