India’s battles against England in ODIs have witnessed several iconic batting performances
India and England are gearing up for an exciting three-match ODI series in February, just ahead of the highly anticipated ICC Champions Trophy 2025. After India’s dominant 4-1 victory in the T20I series, the ODI encounters promise intense action. The matches will be played on February 6, 9, and 12 across Nagpur, Cuttack, and Ahmedabad. As the teams prepare, look at the top Indian batters with the most runs in ODIs against England.
Topping the charts is none other than MS Dhoni, with a staggering 1546 runs in 48 ODIs. Averaging 46.84, Dhoni struck one century and ten half-centuries, decorated with 129 fours and 34 sixes. His highest score of 134 remains an unforgettable innings. In the second ODI of the 2017 series, Dhoni orchestrated a masterclass under pressure, stitching a crucial partnership with Yuvraj Singh after India stumbled at the start. His 134 off 122 balls, laced with ten boundaries and six sixes, propelled India to a formidable total.
Yuvraj Singh sits just behind Dhoni with 1523 runs in 37 ODIs at a phenomenal average of 50.76. The left-hander slammed four centuries and seven half-centuries, peppered with 173 boundaries and 29 sixes. His career-best 150 came against England in Cuttack during the 2017 series, a knock that will forever be etched in ODI history. Walking in at 25/3, Yuvraj turned the tide with a breathtaking display of stroke-making. His 127-ball 150, laced with 21 fours and three sixes, was instrumental in India setting a daunting target of 381.
Third on the list is the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, with 1455 runs in 37 ODIs. Averaging 44.09, he notched up two centuries and ten fifties, finding the boundary 173 times and clearing it on 17 occasions. One of his most iconic knocks came in the 2011 World Cup against England in Bengaluru. Opening the innings, Tendulkar crafted a sublime 120 off 115 balls, peppering the field with ten fours and five towering sixes. His masterful strokeplay and calm approach helped India post 338 runs in a match that ended in a dramatic tie.
Virat Kohli finds himself in the fourth spot with 1340 runs in 36 ODIs at an average of 41.87. He has two centuries and ten half-centuries against England, with 127 boundaries and 12 sixes. Kohli’s best against England came in 2017 at Pune, where he smashed 122 off 105 balls, showcasing his trademark aggression and precision. Chasing a daunting 351, Kohli anchored the innings beautifully, sending eight deliveries to the fence and five over it. As he gears up for the upcoming series, Kohli is on the verge of surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s record for the most runs by an Indian against England across all formats.
Completing the top five is Suresh Raina, who accumulated 1207 runs in 37 ODIs at an average of 41.62. Raina was a crucial middle-order enforcer with three centuries and nine fifties, striking 108 fours and 12 sixes. His most memorable knock came in Cardiff during the 2014 series, where he played a scintillating 100 off just 75 balls. Walking in a tricky situation, Raina accelerated with his usual fearless approach, smashing 12 fours and three sixes. His innings played a decisive role in India surpassing the 300-run mark, which proved more than enough for a dominant win.
