In ODI batting, the first half of the decade was dominated by Kumar Sangakkara and AB de Villiers while the second half was dominated by Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. All these four players are among the 10 batsmen which compete against each other for the Stat Sensei ODI Batsman of the Decade. To select the top ODI batsman of the decade, we kept a minimum criteria of scoring 5,000 runs in the period from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2019. We further narrowed the list by keeping a minimum average of 45.00 and a minimum strike rate of 80.00 in the period. Lastly, I would like to remind you that the stats in the article are not the career stats of the players but only their stats in the 2010s. So fasten your seat-belts to see the best 10 batsmen of the decade compete against each other on 11 criteria for the top spot.
Primary Criteria
The 3 most important stats in which a player can earn a maximum of 200.0 points. The other batsmen are given points as a ratio of their performance to the top batsman.
#1 Prolific
Points given for number of runs scored in the period
#2 Consistent
Points given for average in the period
#3 Brisk
Points given for quick scoring ability, i.e. the strike rate
Secondary Criteria
8 other criteria in which a player can earn a maximum of 100.0 points. The other batsmen are given points as a ratio of their performance to the top batsman. In criteria where both runs and strike rate are considered, points are calculated by the formula: Average X 2.5 + Strike Rate.
#1 Dominant
Points given for boundary hitting ability. This is calculated by the balls taken to hit a boundary
#2 Big Innings Consistency
Points given for average number of innings taken to score a hundred
#3 Big Innings Potential
Points given for the 10 highest scores in the period
#4 In Devastating Mood
Points given for the 5 quickest innings in terms of strike rate with a minimum criteria of 50 runs.
#5 In Top Form
Points given for most runs scored in a calendar year
#6 Against Top Opposition
Points given for average and strike rate against teams which have a better than 1.0 Win Loss Ratio during the decade. These teams are India, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and England
#7 In Victories
Points given for average and strike rate in innings in which their nation won the match
#8 At The Big Stage
Points given for average and strike rate in ICC tournaments, i.e. the World Cup and the Champions Trophy. As the sample size is small here, we have another factor, of number of runs scored as a percentage, to the Points criteria.
The Final Rating
Total number of points in the 11 criteria reduced to per 1,000 points.
Stat Sensei ODI Batsman of the Decade (2010 – 2019)
