ICC launched the ODI format to help the sport gain more attention. Test cricket was losing its prominence due to one-sided games and also the duration of the matches. However, ODI cricket matches complete in one day. Also, matches have unpredictable results. Rising teams like Ireland, Scotland have ODI victories over world champions England.
So, this shows that anything can happen in ODIs. The ODI game has evolved over the years. Earlier, 240-250 was considered a good score in 50-over cricket. But not even 300 is unsafe. First, scoring a century was an achievement. Now, players are scoring 200 in 50 overs also. Here are the five players who can register their first double hundred in ODIs in 2021.
5. Jason Roy
English opener Jason Roy is one of the top ODI batsmen in the world now. Roy provides blistering starts to his team. He also has the potential to play a big knock. In a match against Australia in 2017/18, Roy scored 180 runs off 151 balls. It is noteworthy that this knock came in the second innings.
Roy opened the innings and destroyed the Aussie bowlers. He hit 16 fours and 5 fixes in his inning. Unfortunately, he got dismissed in the 43rd over. England won the game in the 49th over. This statistic shows that Roy has the calibre to hit a double century soon.
4. John Campbell
West Indies’ opener John Campbell is still new to the international arena. But he has already established himself as a match-winner. Campbell has played six ODIs, scoring 248 runs at a strike rate of 115.88. In May 2019, Campbell showed his talent to the world with an excellent knock versus Ireland. He scored 179 runs off 137 deliveries.
In that inning, Campbell smacked 15 boundaries and six maximums. He got out in the 48th over. There was a chance of a maiden double hundred for Campbell. Unfortunately, he lost his wicket. Nevertheless, he has proved that he can score a double century in ODIs very soon.
3. Liton Das
Bangladeshi wicket-keeper Liton Das had a golden chance to register his maiden ODI double hundred in 2020. However, he could not achieve the feat. In the third ODI versus Zimbabwe, Liton scored 176 runs from 143 balls. He lost his wicket in the 41st over only. Das had nine overs to score more 24 runs.
In his entertaining knock, Liton smashed 16 fours and eight sixes. He proved that he has the potential to score a 200 in the future. 2021 could be Liton’s year because he has been a great ODI player for Bangladesh. Also, his strike rate is up to the mark. And he has done a great job against the top quality bowling units also.
2. David Warner
It is a bit surprising to note that David Warner has not scored a double century in ODIs. He has 18 ODI hundreds. Also, he has recorded a hundred in T20I cricket. In T20s, he has eight centuries. Warner has a triple hundred to his name in tests.
Still, his highest score in ODIs is 179. Warner played an epic knock of 166 runs versus Bangladesh in the 2019 World Cup. The southpaw got out to Soumya Sarkar in the 45th over. He could have become the first Aussie to score a double century in the World Cup. Nevertheless, he will get another chance to do that in 2021.
1. Virat Kohli
Fans often compare Virat Kohli with Sachin Tendulkar. Kohli has broken multiple records of Tendulkar. However, Sachin had an ODI double hundred, while Kohli still does not. Virat ended 2020 without an international ton. Given his never-ending hunger for runs, Kohli will be keen to destroy the bowlers in 2021.
Virat is a match-winner in ODIs. He knows the art of pacing innings. And, he will love to end his drought of ODI double century in 2021. Virat will become a father soon. He will look to gift his new-born child an ODI double century possibly in the home series against England.
