ODI cricket was not as free-scoring as it is currently. The intent of batting in ODI cricket has been largely influenced by that in T20 cricket. That is the reason why batsmen with high batting strike rates in ODIs are also very successful in T20 cricket.

Here, we have a look at the top 5 current players who have the best ODI batting strike rates.

1. Andre Russell (West Indies)

Russell has significantly improved his power-hitting in the latter half of his career. He revealed in an interview that he got some tips from the legendary Chris Gayle. It is his sheer power that makes him the dangerous batsman that he is.

Russell has played 52 ODIs so far. He has scored 998 runs in just 765 balls. That takes his strike rate to 130.45, which is better than anybody else in ODI cricket. He has four half-centuries to his name.

If he manages to replicate his form in England and score the most runs at the World Cup, West Indies’ chances of winning the trophy once again will increase exponentially.

2. Glenn Maxwell (Australia)

Maxwell can dispatch any ball to any part of the ground because of the diversity of shots that he has. Nobody can play the reverse shot (it is not a reverse sweep as he strikes it as a proper left-hander) better than him.

He smacks the ball hard and has the ability to come in to bat and strike the ball fiercely from ball one. He doesn’t depend on bad deliveries which is what makes him so dangerous. Being an Australian, clearing the boundary ropes in England is not a challenge for ‘Maxi’.

He has played 100 ODIs so far. He has scored 2700 runs in 2214 balls maintaining a strike rate of 121.95. He has one century and 19 half-centuries under his belt.

Batsmen like him can finish matches quickly and improve the team’s net run rate which is crucial for Australia’s ultimate position on the World Cup points table.

3. Jos Buttler (England)

Buttler has been in the form of his life over the last couple of years. He scores runs at a rapid pace. But, more than the runs, his effortless shot making decemates the opposition bowlers.

The 28-year-old has the ability to bat anywhere in the order. He can come in to open and make use of the powerplay, he can bat in the middle order and anchor the innings and also can come in as a finisher and get the big hits from ball one.

He has played 131 ODIs so far and scored 3531 runs in 2953 balls. His strike rate of 119.57 is the third-best in ODIs.

4. Hardik Pandya (India)

Hardik Pandya is currently enjoying a purple patch after scoring over 400 runs for the first time in an IPL season. He was one of the major contributors to the successful campaign of the Mumbai Indians in IPL 2019.

He deals only in sixes at the end of the innings. He likes to tonk the spinners, but is equally good against the pacers. He has developed his version of the ‘Helicopter Shot’, showcased in the IPL.

In 45 ODIs, Pandya has scored 731 runs in 627 balls. His strike rate of 116.58 is convincing enough to be the finisher that India needs in such a big tournament.

5. Thisara Perera (Sri Lanka)

Perera is a veteran all-rounder for Sri Lanka. He is a handy finisher who can strike the ball well without needing a few balls to settle down. He is a gifted timer of the ball the power power he generates makes him a dangerous hitter.

Sri Lanka will bank on experienced players like him to qualify for the semi-finals. Perera has played 154 ODIs and has scored 2147 runs in 1912 balls. His strike rate in ODI cricket is 112.29, which is the fifth-best among batsmen that will feature in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019.