There are plenty of cricketers who kick-started their careers late but still left a long-lasting impact on the game. Some players’ performances are expected to decline once they age. On the other hand, some get better over time and make a surreal impact by defying the odds.
From the batter’s perspective, scoring runs at a rapid pace becomes quite a task once he is into the 35s or 36. Although there is experience under the belt, shot selection and getting accustomed to the conditions becomes quite a challenging factor.
Case in point, let’s get to know about the four players with the highest ODI batting average after age 36 (minimum 500 runs).
1. Sikandar Raza
Sikandar Raza made his international debut for the Zimbabwean national cricket team in 2013. Since then, he went on to play 132 ODIs, scoring 3934 runs at an average of 37.5 including seven centuries and 21 half-centuries.
Notably, the Zimbabwean international comes first on the list as he has the highest ODI batting average of 56.33 after age 36 (minimum 500 runs), which is quite an achievement.
2. Kumar Sangakkara
Former Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest batters of all time. He is the second-leading run-scorer in both Tests and ODIs, a record that still remains intact.
Sangakkara comes second on the list as he has the second-highest batting average of 55.36 after age 36. He scored 14,234 runs at an average of 42 including 25 centuries and 93 half-centuries.
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3. Tillakaratne Dilshan
Tillakaratne Dilshan has been one of the integral players of Sri Lankan cricket history. He is often considered the highly-rated Sri Lankan player in run-chases in the history of One-Day Internationals. Besides that, he is also one of the most innovative players of all time.
He is famously known for his trademark shot “Dilscoop”. Dilshan has the third-highest batting average of 50.35 after age 36. He scored 10,290 runs at an average of 39.3 including 22 centuries and 47 fifties.
4. Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar is widely acknowledged as the greatest batter of all time and is the leading run-scorer in both Tests and ODIs. The Master Blaster has the fourth-highest batting average of 49.77 after age 36.
Sachin Tendulkar scored 18,426 runs in the 50-over format at an average of 44.8 including 49 centuries, 96 half-centuries and 1 double century.
Highest ODI Average after Age 36
(min. 500 runs)56.33 – Sikandar Raza*
55.36 – Kumar Sangakkara
50.35 – Tillakaratne Dilshan
49.77 – Sachin Tendulkar#SikandarRaza— Cricbaba (@thecricbaba) June 26, 2023
Updated as of June 26, 2023*
