Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are on the verge of adding another achievement to their ODI careers as India prepare to take on England in the opening match of a three-match series on Tuesday. After India's underwhelming T20I campaigns against Ireland and England, the experienced duo will be central to the team's hopes while also chasing a significant batting record in English conditions.
Both batters are closing in on the distinction of becoming India's leading run-scorer in One-Day Internationals played in England, a record currently held by former captain Rahul Dravid.
Dravid accumulated 648 runs in 20 ODIs in England between 1996 and 2011 at an average of 38.11. His tally includes seven half-centuries, although he did not register a century during that period.
Sachin Tendulkar occupies second place on the all-time list with 639 runs from 17 matches at an average of 39.93, including one century and four fifties. Former India skipper MS Dhoni follows with 613 runs in 21 ODIs at an average of 40.86, having scored five half-centuries, with an unbeaten 78 as his highest score.
Among the current players, Kohli is the closest to surpassing Dravid's mark. The former India captain has amassed 581 runs in 16 ODIs in England at an average of 38.73, with one century and four half-centuries. His highest score in the country is 107, and he requires just 68 more runs to move to the top of the list.
Rohit, meanwhile, has scored 410 runs in only 10 innings in England and boasts the best average among the leading run-scorers at 58.57. His record includes two centuries and two fifties, with an unbeaten 137 standing as his highest ODI score in England. While he also has an opportunity to claim the record, he would need an exceptional series to overhaul Dravid's tally.
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly is fifth on the list with 565 runs from 16 ODIs in England at an average of 35.31. He recorded five half-centuries, with a highest score of 90.
Yuvraj Singh completes the leading group, having scored 498 runs in 14 matches at an average of 41.50. The left-hander struck four fifties during his appearances in England, with 72 being his highest score.
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