Milind Kumar Sets New ODI Average Record with Stellar Performance

Milind Kumar Achieves Historic ODI Average

Milind Kumar, a batter from the USA, has made headlines by achieving the highest ODI average in history, finishing with an impressive 67.73 following his match-winning century against the UAE during the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 on Monday. This remarkable feat places Kumar at the top for players with at least 1,000 runs, overtaking Ryan ten Doeschate from the Netherlands. After 22 matches, Kumar's ODI average stands at 67.73, with a total of 1,016 runs and a personal best of 155*, while ten Doeschate had an average of 67.00 from 1,541 runs, according to Wisden.

Record-Setting Partnerships and Centuries

The USA team bounced back from an early setback of 28/3 to achieve a formidable total of 292/3, thanks to outstanding unbeaten centuries from Milind Kumar (137* off 149 balls, including 10 fours and 3 sixes) and Saiteja Mukkamalla (123* off 125 balls, featuring 11 fours and 1 six).

Both Kumar and Mukkamalla have now joined USA captain Monank Patel in having three ODI centuries each. Milind reached this milestone in the quickest time for the USA, accomplishing it in just 21 innings, while Mukkamalla took 36 innings and Monank achieved it in 48 innings.

Their remarkable 264-run partnership for the fourth wicket is now the second-highest in ODI history, surpassing the previous record of 260 runs set by Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Rizwan for Pakistan against South Africa. The only higher partnership remains the unbeaten 275-run stand between Mohammad Azharuddin and Ajay Jadeja for India against Zimbabwe in 1998.

USA Secures Largest Victory Against UAE

In response, the UAE team was dismissed for a mere 49 runs, with Rushil Ugarkar taking 5 wickets for 22 runs, marking the fifth-best ODI bowling figures by a USA player. The USA's victory margin of 243 runs is now their largest win while batting first, surpassing their previous record of 169 runs against Canada in May.