3 visiting batters with best average in Australia in ODIs

Overview

• Rohit Sharma averages 53.12 as a batter in Australia in ODIs, before the start of the 2025 series
• Virat Kohli has the second highest average for a visiting batter in Australia in ODIs (51.04)
• Despite being a middle/lower middle order batter, MS Dhoni has the third best average in ODIs in Australia for a visiting batter with at least 20 innings

Australia is regarded as the toughest place to tour for the visiting sides in cricket. Especially in Tests and ODIs, given their great record at home historically, Australia is often seen as the team to be beaten in their backyard. Not a lot of teams have achieved success on the Australian soil historically, especially in Tests.

Also Read: India's three major tournament wins in Australia in International Cricket

Even in ODIs, not many teams have managed to win bilateral series on the Australian soil. Australia has been arguably the most superior side in ODIs at home, which makes beating them highly difficult. However, India has managed to claim some great wins in Australia over the years. Some of the greatest batting performances from the batters have come in Australia.

3 visiting batters with best average in Australia in ODIs

MS Dhoni (47.86)

MS Dhoni had a fine record in ODIs in Australia, despite batting mostly as a middle order batter. The former wicketkeeper batter played a key role in India's win in the Commonwealth Bank Series 2008. He was additionally the Player of the Tournament in India's first-ever bilateral ODI series win on the Australian soil in 2019.

Also Check: Mitchell Marsh claims privileged to have played against Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma

He additionally performed well in the Commonwealth Bank Series in 2011/12. Dhoni played 35 matches in Australia and batted in 31 instances. In as many innings, the former Indian skipper scored 1053 runs at a fine average of 47.86. The veteran had a strike rate of 75.59, including 8 fifty plus scores. 

Virat Kohli (51.04) 

Virat Kohli is regarded one of the greatest cricketers of all time. In ODIs, in particular, he's regarded arguably the greatest among the batters. In chasing totals, many rate him the greatest. Much like Dhoni, Virat played a key role in India winning its first-ever ODI series in Australia in 2019. It was his performance in the Commonwealth Bank Series 2011/12, which raised him to stardom.

Read More: Shubman Gill claims to have idolized Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma since childhood

Kohli has played 29 matches in Australia in ODIs before the start of the 2025 series. In as many innings, the star batter has 1327 runs at an average of 51.04, at a fine strike rate of 89.06, including 5 hundreds and 6 fifty-plus scores. In the 2025 series, all eyes will be on how he goes about the business.

Rohit Sharma (53.12) 

Rohit Sharma has phenomenal numbers against Australia in ODIs. Away from home, the star batter has great numbers and holds the record for the best batting average for a visiting batter in ODIs. Much like Dhoni, Rohit was instrumental in India's win in the Commonwealth Bank Series 2008 and the ODI series win in 2019 before the ODI World Cup.

Tap Here: 'Still a long way to go,' - Ravi Shastri on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's presence in ODI World Cup 2027

Rohit has played 30 innings in Australia before his appearance in the 2025 series. In as many instances, the Indian opener has 1328 runs at a terrific average of 53.12, at a fine strike rate of 90.59, including 5 hundreds and 4 fifty-plus scores. Sharma might be playing his final ODI series against Australia in their backyard in 2025.