The highest runs in all formats of cricket is a subject of much debate and discussion among cricket enthusiasts. The challenge of determining the greatest run scorer in the world has been taken up by many cricket fans and analysts. Cricket fans have always wanted to know who holds the record for the highest runs in all formats of cricket.
In this article, we will be discussing the highest runs in all formats of cricket and trying to rank the top ten players who have achieved the highest run totals in their respective careers. We will also look at some of the most impressive batting performances from each of the players and analyse their records in detail.
Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time. He holds the record for the highest runs in all formats of cricket with a total of 34,357 runs in international cricket. He also holds the record for the most centuries scored in international cricket with a total of 100 centuries. In Test cricket, Tendulkar scored 15,921 runs and 51 centuries. In One Day Internationals, he scored 18,426 runs and 49 centuries. In Twenty20 Internationals, he scored 1,010 runs and one century. His highest score in Test cricket was 248* against Bangladesh in 2004. In One Day Internationals, his highest score was 200* against South Africa in 2010. In Twenty20 Internationals, his highest score was 78 against South Africa in 2007.
Kumar Sangakkara
Kumar Sangakkara is one of the greatest batsmen of the modern era. He holds the record for the second highest runs in all formats of cricket with a total of 28,016 runs in international cricket. He also holds the record for the most centuries scored in Test cricket with a total of 38 centuries. In Test cricket, Sangakkara scored 12,400 runs and 38 centuries. In One Day Internationals, he scored 14,234 runs and 25 centuries. In Twenty20 Internationals, he scored 1,382 runs and two centuries. His highest score in Test cricket was 287 against Bangladesh in 2014. In One Day Internationals, his highest score was 169 against India in 2015. In Twenty20 Internationals, his highest score was 78 against New Zealand in 2015.
Ricky Ponting
Ricky Ponting is one of the greatest batsmen of the modern era. He holds the record for the third highest runs in all formats of cricket with a total of 27,483 runs in international cricket. He also holds the record for the most centuries scored in One Day Internationals with a total of 30 centuries. In Test cricket, Ponting scored 13,378 runs and 41 centuries. In One Day Internationals, he scored 13,704 runs and 30 centuries. In Twenty20 Internationals, he scored 401 runs and one century. His highest score in Test cricket was 257 against India in 2003. In One Day Internationals, his highest score was 164 against South Africa in 2006. In Twenty20 Internationals, his highest score was 98 against India in 2007.
Jacques Kallis
Jacques Kallis is one of the greatest all-rounders of all time. He holds the record for the fourth highest runs in all formats of cricket with a total of 25,534 runs in international cricket. He also holds the record for the most centuries scored in Test cricket with a total of 45 centuries. In Test cricket, Kallis scored 13,289 runs and 45 centuries. In One Day Internationals, he scored 11,579 runs and 17 centuries. In Twenty20 Internationals, he scored 566 runs and one century. His highest score in Test cricket was 224 against India in 2004. In One Day Internationals, his highest score was 139 against Pakistan in 2003. In Twenty20 Internationals, his highest score was 73 against New Zealand in 2007.
Brian Lara
Brian Lara is one of the greatest batsmen of all time. He holds the record for the fifth highest runs in all formats of cricket with a total of 24,453 runs in international cricket. He also holds the record for the most centuries scored in Test cricket with a total of 34 centuries. In Test cricket, Lara scored 11,953 runs and 34 centuries. In One Day Internationals, he scored 10,405 runs and 19 centuries. In Twenty20 Internationals, he scored 2,095 runs and one century. His highest score in Test cricket was 400* against England in 2004. In One Day Internationals, his highest score was 169 against Pakistan in 1993. In Twenty20 Internationals, his highest score was 77 against Bangladesh in 2007.
Mahela Jayawardene
Mahela Jayawardene is one of the greatest batsmen of the modern era. He holds the record for the sixth highest runs in all formats of cricket with a total of 23,812 runs in international cricket. He also holds the record for the most centuries scored in One Day Internationals with a total of 19 centuries. In Test cricket, Jayawardene scored 11,814 runs and 34 centuries. In One Day Internationals, he scored 12,650 runs and 19 centuries. In Twenty20 Internationals, he scored 1,348 runs and two centuries. His highest score in Test cricket was 374 against South Africa in 2006. In One Day Internationals, his highest score was 144 against India in 2005. In Twenty20 Internationals, his highest score was 88 against New Zealand in 2012.
Rahul Dravid
Rahul Dravid is one of the greatest batsmen of all time. He holds the record for the seventh highest runs in all formats of cricket with a total of 23,208 runs in international cricket. He also holds the record for the most centuries scored in Test cricket with a total of 36 centuries. In Test cricket, Dravid scored 13,288 runs and 36 centuries. In One Day Internationals, he scored 10,889 runs and 12 centuries. In Twenty20 Internationals, he scored 270 runs and no centuries. His highest score in Test cricket was 270 against Pakistan in 2004. In One Day Internationals, his highest score was 153 against New Zealand in 1999. In Twenty20 Internationals, his highest score was 31 against Australia in 2008.
Sanath Jayasuriya
Sanath Jayasuriya is one of the greatest batsmen of the modern era. He holds the record for the eighth highest runs in all formats of cricket with a total of 22,361 runs in international cricket. He also holds the record for the most centuries scored in One Day Internationals with a total of 28 centuries. In Test cricket, Jayasuriya scored 6,973 runs and 14 centuries. In One Day Internationals, he scored 13,430 runs and 28 centuries. In Twenty20 Internationals, he scored 958 runs and no centuries. His highest score in Test cricket was 340 against India in 1997. In One Day Internationals, his highest score was 189 against India in 2000. In Twenty20 Internationals, his highest score was 88 against Australia in 2007.
AB de Villiers
AB de Villiers is one of the greatest batsmen of the modern era. He holds the record for the ninth highest runs in all formats of cricket with a total of 22,267 runs in international cricket. He also holds the record for the most centuries scored in One Day Internationals with a total of 25 centuries. In Test cricket, de Villiers scored 8,765 runs and 25 centuries. In One Day Internationals, he scored 9,577 runs and 25 centuries. In Twenty20 Internationals, he scored 3,825 runs and three centuries. His highest score in Test cricket was 278 against Pakistan in 2013. In One Day Internationals, his highest score was 176 against Australia in 2015. In Twenty20 Internationals, his highest score was 119* against West Indies in 2015.
Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli is one of the greatest batsmen of the modern era. He holds the record for the tenth highest runs in all formats of cricket with a total of 21,639 runs in international cricket. He also holds the record for the most centuries scored in One Day Internationals with a total of 35 centuries. In Test cricket, Kohli scored 7,240 runs and 27 centuries. In One Day Internationals, he scored 11,867 runs and 35 centuries. In Twenty20 Internationals, he scored 2,532 runs and two centuries. His highest score in Test cricket was 254 against South Africa in 2018. In One Day Internationals, his highest score was 183 against Pakistan in 2012. In Twenty20 Internationals, his highest score was 113 against West Indies in 2019.
To conclude, these are the ten highest run-scorers in all formats of cricket and their impressive batting performances. Each of these players has achieved greatness in their own right and have contributed significantly to the game of cricket. They are all deserving of the accolade of being among the highest run-scorers in all formats of cricket.