The Top 10 Highest ODI Run Scorers
One Day Internationals (ODIs) have been a feature of international cricket since 1971 and have since become a dominant format of the game. The scoring records of batsmen in this format have been broken numerous times over the years, with some of the world’s greatest cricketers having achieved the highest run totals. This article looks at the top 10 batsmen who have scored the most runs in ODIs, with each batsman’s run tally and the number of matches played.
10. Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka) – 12,650 Runs
Mahela Jayawardene is one of the most prolific batsmen in the history of cricket, having scored more than 12,650 runs in ODIs. He has played 448 matches for Sri Lanka, scoring 31 centuries and 66 fifties. He is the only Sri Lankan batsman to score a double-century in ODIs, which he achieved against England in 2006.
9. Sourav Ganguly (India) – 11,363 Runs
Sourav Ganguly is a former Indian captain and one of the most successful batsmen in the history of Indian cricket. He scored 11,363 runs in ODIs, playing 311 matches for India. He has scored 22 centuries and 72 fifties, with a highest score of 183 not out against Sri Lanka in 1999.
8. Inzamam-ul-Haq (Pakistan) – 11,739 Runs
Inzamam-ul-Haq is one of the greatest batsmen to have played for Pakistan. He scored 11,739 runs in ODIs, playing 378 matches. He has scored 10 centuries and 83 fifties, with a highest score of 137 not out against Bangladesh in 2003.
7. Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) – 13,430 Runs
Sanath Jayasuriya is one of the most destructive batsmen in the history of cricket. He scored 13,430 runs in ODIs, playing 445 matches. He has scored 28 centuries and 68 fifties, with a highest score of 189 not out against India in 2000.
6. Jacques Kallis (South Africa) – 11,579 Runs
Jacques Kallis is one of the most complete all-rounders in the history of cricket. He scored 11,579 runs in ODIs, playing 328 matches. He has scored 17 centuries and 86 fifties, with a highest score of 139 not out against India in 2001.
5. Brian Lara (West Indies) – 10,405 Runs
Brian Lara is one of the greatest batsmen in the history of cricket. He scored 10,405 runs in ODIs, playing 299 matches. He has scored 19 centuries and 63 fifties, with a highest score of 169 not out against Bangladesh in 1999.
4. Rahul Dravid (India) – 10,889 Runs
Rahul Dravid is one of the most consistent batsmen in the history of cricket. He scored 10,889 runs in ODIs, playing 344 matches. He has scored 12 centuries and 82 fifties, with a highest score of 153 not out against New Zealand in 1999.
3. Ricky Ponting (Australia) – 13,704 Runs
Ricky Ponting is one of the greatest batsmen in the history of cricket. He scored 13,704 runs in ODIs, playing 375 matches. He has scored 30 centuries and 82 fifties, with a highest score of 164 not out against South Africa in 2006.
2. Sachin Tendulkar (India) – 18,426 Runs
Sachin Tendulkar is arguably the greatest batsman in the history of cricket. He scored 18,426 runs in ODIs, playing 463 matches. He has scored 49 centuries and 96 fifties, with a highest score of 200 not out against South Africa in 2010.
1. Virat Kohli (India) – 18,426 Runs
Virat Kohli is the current holder of the record for the most runs in ODIs. He has scored 18,426 runs in ODIs, playing 248 matches. He has scored 43 centuries and 58 fifties, with a highest score of 183 not out against Pakistan in 2012.
These 10 batsmen have set the benchmark for batsmen in the modern era of cricket, with Virat Kohli currently holding the record for the most runs in ODIs. It will be interesting to see who can break his record in the future.
