ODI Number 3 Batting Position Explained: Why It Is the Most Important Role, Kohli vs Ponting vs de Villiers
The No. 3 batting position in ODI cricket — considered the most important and most difficult batting role. Why No. 3 requires the widest range of skills (face any situation, from 0/1 in over 1 to 50/0 in over 15), the best No. 3 batsmen in ODI history (Virat Kohli, Ricky Ponting, AB de Villiers), and how the role differs from opening and middle-order batting.
In ODI cricket's batting order, the No. 3 position is universally considered the most demanding batting role. The No. 3 batsman must be prepared for the widest range of scenarios: they may need to walk in with the score at 0/1 in the first over and face an in-form new ball attack, or enter at 150/1 in the 35th over for a consolidating role, or come in at 200/1 in the 40th over and immediately accelerate. No other batting position demands this range of adaptability.
Why No. 3 Is the Most Demanding ODI Role
The demands of the No. 3 position: (1) The early wicket scenario: if an opener is dismissed in the first 5 overs, No. 3 must walk in with a new ball, fielding restrictions in play (powerplay), and an in-form bowling attack. They must: defend against good-length balls on a fresh pitch, establish a partnership without the luxury of a set partner, and build a base from early difficulty. This is a technically demanding role that requires composure under pressure; (2) The consolidating scenario: if the openers have built a solid platform (e.g., 100/0 in 20 overs), No. 3 must: continue the momentum without squandering the foundation, accelerate when appropriate without taking unnecessary risks, and build towards 150-170 before the final assault. This role rewards players who can pace an innings; (3) The acceleration scenario: if No. 3 comes in during the middle overs with the team well-placed (50/1 at 15 overs, needing strong acceleration from overs 25-40), they must shift gears quickly — a different skill set from early defence; (4) The batting load: the No. 3 batsman typically faces the most deliveries in an ODI innings — often 100-120 balls across the range of scenarios. If both openers are dismissed early, No. 3 carries the innings. The No. 3 must have the fitness and concentration to bat for 40+ overs if needed.
Virat Kohli: The Definitive Modern No. 3
Kohli at No. 3 in ODIs: (1) The statistics: Kohli's ODI average of 58.69 across 500+ ODI innings is the highest of any batsman with 100+ ODI matches. His 50+ ODI centuries (surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's 49 in 2023) is the most in ODI history; (2) The chase record: Kohli's record in successful ODI run-chases is extraordinary. He has scored 20+ centuries while chasing — averaging above 80 in successful run-chases. His ability to pace a chase (starting carefully, accelerating as required, finishing cleanly) is considered technically superior to almost any batsman in ODI history; (3) Key innings at No. 3: India vs Pakistan (Mirpur, Asia Cup 2012, he scored 183) — the match-winning innings that confirmed his No. 3 role; Kohli's century in the 2023 World Cup Final (although he had struggled earlier in that match); his consistent performances in ICC knockout matches across the 2010s; (4) The Kohli template: India's batting order for most of the 2012-2022 period was built around having Kohli at No. 3. Openers (Rohit Sharma + Shikhar Dhawan/Shubman Gill) were expected to provide a platform so Kohli could bat between overs 5-45.
No. 3 in T20 Cricket vs ODIs
The No. 3 role across formats: (1) T20I No. 3: in T20I cricket, the No. 3 role is different — they typically face the powerplay (overs 1-6) if an opener is dismissed early, then must accelerate immediately. A T20I No. 3 (like India's Suryakumar Yadav, or Babar Azam for Pakistan in earlier years) needs to hit from ball 1 rather than the measured approach an ODI No. 3 can use; (2) ODI No. 3 vs T20 No. 3 comparison: an ODI No. 3 needs approximately 75-100 balls capacity (composure, shot range, running ability). A T20I No. 3 needs 15-25 balls maximum but must score at 150+ strike rate from the start; (3) No. 3 in Tests: in Tests, No. 3 is also a critical position — Joe Root batted No. 3 and No. 4 for England. Kane Williamson at No. 3 for New Zealand. The Test No. 3 must open the innings if an opener is dismissed in the first over (like an ODI No. 3) or anchor a long innings. The Test No. 3 typically has the most technically demanding job in the batting order across all three formats.
Frequently asked questions
Why is No. 3 considered the most important batting position in ODI cricket?
No. 3 in ODI cricket is considered the most demanding position because it requires the widest range of adaptability. The No. 3 batsman may walk in: (1) early (over 1-5) when an opener is dismissed, requiring immediate composure against a new ball under powerplay fielding restrictions; (2) in the middle overs (overs 15-35) for a consolidating role; or (3) later (overs 35+) for an acceleration role. No other position requires all three. The No. 3 also typically faces the most balls in an ODI innings — often 100-120 deliveries if both openers are dismissed early. The best ODI No. 3 batsmen (Virat Kohli, Ricky Ponting, AB de Villiers, Kumar Sangakkara) have among the highest ODI averages in history.
What is Virat Kohli's ODI batting average at No. 3?
Virat Kohli bats almost exclusively at No. 3 in ODIs. His career ODI batting average is 58.69 across 500+ innings — the highest career ODI average of any batsman with 100+ matches. He has scored 50+ ODI centuries (surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's 49 in 2023) — the most in ODI history. His average in successful ODI run-chases is approximately 80+ — he is considered the best ODI chase batsman in history. Kohli's record makes him the most statistically dominant No. 3 batsman in ODI cricket's 50+ year history.
Who are the best No. 3 ODI batsmen of all time?
Best No. 3 batsmen in ODI history: (1) Virat Kohli (India) — average 58.69, 50 centuries, best ODI batsman of the 2013-2022 era; (2) Ricky Ponting (Australia) — average 42.03, 30 centuries, World Cup winner 2003 and 2007; (3) AB de Villiers (South Africa) — average 53.50, extraordinary stroke-making ability, multiple fastest-ever records in the 2010s; (4) Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) — average 41.99, 4 consecutive World Cup centuries in 2015; (5) Ricky Ponting's 140 not out in the 2003 World Cup Final and Kohli's multiple chase centuries are considered the defining No. 3 performances in ODI history.