Stats: Which Players Have Played The Most ODIs In India?

1000th ODI Match against West Indies: Team India played its 1000th ODI against West Indies on February 6th, 2022; and became the first team to reach this landmark. Marking this great feat, let's have a look at the players who played the most ODIs for team India at home. 

India has played 346 of these 1000 ODIs at home, registering 203 wins. The first ODI in India was played in 1981 and ever since it has been a glorious run. India won the 1983 World Cup as underdogs in England. Twenty-eight years, later India became the first team to win a world cup at home. 

Here are the top 5 players who have played the most ODI matches in India. 

#5. Virat Kohli (99 matches)

The former Indian captain and active all-format player Virat Kohli has played 99 ODIs in India. Kohli has smacked 5,002 runs in 96 innings he batted, averaging an impressive 59.54 with a strike rate of 96.67. 'King' Kohli has smashed 19 centuries and 25 fifties. 

Kohli's best score of 157* came against West Indies in the 2nd ODI at Vishakhapatnam in 2018. After opting to bat first, captain Virat Kohli batting at #3, smacked 157 runs off just 129 balls with 13 fours and 4 sixes and helped India to a total of 321.  West Indies also managed 321/7 in their 50 overs and this match ended as a tie.  

#4. Yuvraj Singh (108 matches)

Great former all-rounder Yuvraj Singh, who played a pivotal role in India's successful 2011 World Cup campaign at home. The southpaw has played 108 ODI's in India, registering 3,415 runs. Yuvraj scored 7 centuries and 21 fifties at home, averaging 90.36 with a strike rat 41.64. 

Yuvraj Singh's best score at home of 150, was smacked against England in the 2nd ODI at Cuttack in 2017. Yuvraj Singh smashed English bowlers all around the stadium, scoring 150 runs in 127 balls with 21 fours and 3 sixes. India posted 381/1 in 50 overs, and England managed 366 runs in their quota, losing the match by 15 runs. 

#3. Mohammad Azharuddin (113 matches)

Former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin comes 3rd on this list with 113 home ODIs at home. Azharuddin has scored 3 centuries and 16 fifties in these matches, accumulating 3,840 runs. Mohammad Azharuddin has registered 3 centuries and 16 fifties in home ODIs. 

Azharuddin smacked his top score in ODI at home against in 1998, against Zimbabwe in Cuttack. India posted a mammoth total of 301/3 in 50 overs, as captain Azharuddin smacked an unbeaten 153* off 150 balls with 17 fours and a six. In reply, Zimbabwe were restricted to a total of 269, handing India a win by 32 runs.

#2. Mahendra Singh Dhoni (127 matches)

The legendary former Indian wicketkeeper-batter and captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni has played 127 ODIs at home, the second-most by an Indian player. In this stint, apart from leading India to a World Cup win in 2011 at home, Dhoni has scored 4,351 runs, with a healthy average of 53.71 and a strike rate of 91.60. MS has also registered 7 centuries and 25 fifties at home. 

MS Dhoni brought up his top score in ODIs against Sri Lanka in 2005. In the 3rd ODI being played at Jaipur, the young Indian came out all guns blazing while chasing a total of 299. MS Dhoni sent up the order to bat at #3, smacked 183 runs in 145 balls with 15 fours and 10 sixes, taking India across the line with 23 balls in hand.

#1. Sachin Tendulkar

The 'God of Cricket' Sachin Tendulkar tops the list with 164 ODIs in India. Tendulkar played the ODIs for India for 21 years (1990-2011) and amassed a mind-boggling 6,976 runs at home, averaging 48.11 and a strike rate of 88.39. Obviously, Tendulkar has an insane 20 centuries and 58 fifties at home. 

Sachin's top score of 200* came against South Africa in the 2nd ODI in 2010 at Guwahati, where 'Master Blaster' went on to score the first double century in the history of ODI cricket. Tendulkar smacked an unbeaten 200 runs off 147 balls, with 25 boundaries and 3 sixes. With the help of this historic inning, India posted a massive total of 401/3 on the board and ended up winning the match by 153 runs after restricting South Africa to 248 in 42.5 overs. 

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The 2nd ODI of the ongoing 3-match series between India and the West Indies is set to be played on February 9th (Wednesday), which will mark the 100th ODI match for Virat Kohli at home. It'd be a treat for all the Indian Cricket Team fans if the 'King' gets to his most awaited 71st century in this landmark match for the former captain.