The Champions Trophy is just a week away, setting the stage for a high-stakes battle among the world’s top cricket teams.
With only eight spots available, two big names—West Indies and Sri Lanka—won’t be part of the action this time. Meanwhile, Afghanistan is gearing up for its debut appearance, adding an exciting new chapter to the tournament.
As the competition heats up, all eyes will be on some of the finest batters in the game. Here’s a look at the top players ready to make an impact!
1 – Shubman Gill
Who else but Shubman Gill to top this list? In the last two years, he’s piled up 1,333 runs in 29 games, averaging 51.26 with a strike rate of 95.48. He’s delivered 3 centuries and 10 fifties, proving his consistency at the top.
His real ability happens to lie in the Powerplay, where he averages 104.5, making him almost impossible to dismiss early. While scoring at 92.8, making sure he isn’t slowing India down!
2 – Daryl Mitchell
A quiet performer but a key player for New Zealand, Daryl Mitchell has amassed 1,229 runs in 23 innings, averaging 58.5 with a strike rate of 102.93—keeping things ticking at better than a run-a-ball.
His biggest strength? Controlling the middle overs. An incredible average of 79.8 and a strike rate of 103 means he keeps New Zealand moving without slowing down.
3 – Virat Kohli
You can’t talk about ODIs without mentioning Virat Kohli. In 23 innings, he’s scored 1,154 runs at an impressive 60.73 average and a strike rate of 90.93, fitting perfectly into India’s batting order.
He dominates fast bowlers, averaging 62.3 and striking at 97.7—a perfect balance to the next batter on this list, forming a lethal one-two punch against pace and spin.
4 – Shreyas Iyer
Known for his skills against spin, Shreyas Iyer has thrived in ODIs, averaging 51.1 while striking at a rapid 114.36. His role at No. 4 has ensured India stays aggressive through the middle overs.
But his real strength? The death overs. He averages over 70 and strikes at 135, consistently providing India with powerful finishes.
5 – Heinrich Klaasen
Heinrich Klaasen has been in magnificent form over the course of the last two years, striking at a scarcely believable 139.82, a good strike rate even in T20s! While also keeping for South Africa, he is the keeper-bat to watch out for!
He particularly enjoys taking on fast bowlers, striking at 141.5 against them while still maintaining an average of 52.
6 – Rahmanullah Gurbaz
The Afghan Opener forms the backbone of his teams batting order, and his ability has been a standout feature amongst all the Afghan Batters! Having scored 1187 runs, at an average of 38.29, while it is lower than most, he has also shouldered the burden of carrying Afghanistan!
Gurbaz, like most Afghans, manages to play spin brilliantly, averaging a touch under 50 while striking at 91 against it, making sure he can consistently rotate strike!
7 – Mohammad Rizwan
The Pakistani skipper has been crucial to his teams fortunes, with 1276 runs in 30 innings, batting in the lower middle order, he has made sure to rescue Pakistan from tough spots and keep the foot on the pedal.
It is Rizwan’s ability to keep the scoreboard ticking in the death overs, averaging 81 and striking at 119.1 that makes him a player to watch out for!
8 – Najmul Hossain Shanto
The Bangladeshi skipper has led the run charts for his nation in ODIs in the last two years, scoring 1278 runs in 31 innings with three hundreds. While he has struggled recently, coming back to his favored format should help him.
Unlike many Asian batters, he excels against fast bowling, averaging 48.2 and striking at 94—a rare strength for a Bangladeshi batter.
9 – Fakhar Zaman
Having not played as much as Rizwan or Babar, Fakhar Zaman has still managed to leave a mark scoring 842 runs in 19 innings! Averaging 49.35 and still managing to strike at 100.35, swinging his bat like an axe!
It is in the middle overs he keeps the scoreboard ticking along, averaging 77.4, making him tough to get out once set, but his strike rate of 109 also makes him a very tough proposition to be bowling against!
10 – Travis Head
Like Zaman, Travis Head has not played every game for Australia, but he has scored the only ODI Hundred for Australia since the 223 World Cup. Having scored 840 runs at an average of 52.5 and a strike rate of 128.04!
In the Powerplay, he is a scary player to be up against, averaging 46.5, but striking at a monstrous 129, making sure the Australians get off to brilliant starts every time!
This Champions Trophy promises some serious fireworks with these batters in action! Who do you think will shine the brightest?
