Kohli ahead of Sachin: Ravi Shastri names his top 5 Indian ODI cricketers

During the innings break of the 2nd ODI between Australia and India, Ravi Shastri shared his top five Indian ODI players: Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, Kapil Dev, MS Dhoni, and Rohit Sharma.

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During the innings break of the 2nd ODI between Australia and India at Adelaide Oval, former Indian head coach and cricket analyst Ravi Shastri revealed his list of the top five Indian One Day International (ODI) players of all time. His selection sparked much discussion and highlighted the immense talent India has produced over the years.

Ravi Shastri’s top five Indian ODI players are:

1. Virat Kohli
2. Sachin Tendulkar
3. Kapil Dev
4. MS Dhoni
5. Rohit Sharma

Shastri praised each player not only for their individual brilliance but also for their impact on Indian cricket at crucial moments in history.

He explained the absence of Jasprit Bumrah from the list, saying, “The only reason I have not put Bumrah there is that he has got three to four years of cricket left. It is tough to pick.” Shastri emphasized that his chosen five are players who have mostly reached the latter stages of their careers, making it easier to evaluate their long-term contributions.

Highlighting the credentials of the five players, Shastri called them “outstanding contributors” to Indian cricket. “Two World Cup captains there. Barring Rohit Sharma, all are World Cup winners,” he said, underscoring the fact that Tendulkar, Kapil Dev, and Dhoni all led India to glory on cricket’s biggest stage.

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Virat Kohli, known for his relentless consistency and chase-master abilities, is a natural selection. Kohli’s era has been defined by numerous record-breaking innings and match-winning performances, making him a pillar of modern-day Indian ODI cricket. He scored 14181 ODI runs at an average of 57.64. Moreover, he has the record for the highest number of tons in One-day cricket's history (51).

Sachin Tendulkar, widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in cricket history, brought artistry and unparalleled skill to the game. Tendulkar’s career spanned over two decades, during which he amassed a record 18,426 ODI runs. His role in popularizing cricket in India cannot be overstated.

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Kapil Dev, the legendary all-rounder, led India to its first-ever World Cup victory in 1983. Known for his explosive batting and effective fast bowling, Kapil was a trailblazer who inspired generations to come.

MS Dhoni’s calm and composed captaincy transformed Indian cricket. Under his leadership, India won the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup, ending a 28-year wait for the prestigious trophy. As a finisher, Dhoni’s ability to control games in crunch moments has been crucial.

Finally, Ravi Shastri included Rohit Sharma, who has made a mark with his extraordinary batting feats in ODIs. Shastri highlighted Sharma’s three double centuries and over 11,000 runs as testament to his record-breaking career. “But you cannot take Rohit Sharma out of the mix,” he emphasized, recognizing the brilliance and longevity of Rohit’s career despite him yet to captain India to a World Cup win.

Where to watch the Australia vs India 2nd ODI match online?

Indian cricket team fans can watch the Australia vs India 2nd ODI match LIVE on JioHotstar, accessible via OTTplay Premium.

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