Cricket is one of the most popular sports in the world and has a long and illustrious history. The One Day International (ODI) format is the most popular version of the game and has seen some of the greatest players in the world come and go. One of the most important stats in the game is the number of runs a player has scored in ODIs. Here we will take a look at the players who have scored the most runs in ODI cricket.
Sachin Tendulkar
The undisputed king of ODI cricket is none other than the great Sachin Tendulkar. He has scored an incredible 18,426 runs in ODI cricket in a career that spanned over two decades. He is the only player in history to have scored more than 10,000 runs in the format and holds the record for most centuries (49) and half-centuries (96) in ODIs. He also holds the record for most runs in a single innings (200*).
Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli is the current leader in ODI runs and is well on his way to becoming the highest run-scorer of all time. He has scored 12,739 runs in ODIs at an incredible average of 59.33. He also has 43 centuries and 61 half-centuries to his name. He has been the backbone of the Indian batting line-up for the past decade and is well on his way to surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s record of most runs in ODI cricket.
Ricky Ponting
Ricky Ponting is the third-highest run-scorer in ODI cricket with 13,704 runs to his name. He has scored 30 centuries and 82 half-centuries in the format. He was the captain of the Australian team for a long period of time and was instrumental in their success in the early 2000s. He is the only player in history to have scored more than 10,000 runs in both Tests and ODIs.
Sanath Jayasuriya
Sanath Jayasuriya is the fourth-highest run-scorer in ODI cricket with 13,430 runs to his name. He was one of the pioneers of the modern game and revolutionised the way the game was played with his aggressive batting style. He has scored 28 centuries and 68 half-centuries in the format. He was also one of the most successful all-rounders in the game and was a key member of the Sri Lankan team that won the 1996 World Cup.
Jacques Kallis
Jacques Kallis is the fifth-highest run-scorer in ODI cricket with 11,579 runs to his name. He is one of the greatest all-rounders in the history of the game and is the only player in history to have scored more than 10,000 runs and taken more than 250 wickets in ODIs. He has scored 17 centuries and 73 half-centuries in the format. He was also a key member of the South African team that reached the semi-finals of the 2003 and 2007 World Cups.
Brian Lara
Brian Lara is the sixth-highest run-scorer in ODI cricket with 10,405 runs to his name. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time and is the only player in history to have scored a triple century in Tests and a double century in ODIs. He has scored 19 centuries and 63 half-centuries in the format. He was also a key member of the West Indies team that won the 2004 Champions Trophy.
Kumar Sangakkara
Kumar Sangakkara is the seventh-highest run-scorer in ODI cricket with 10,290 runs to his name. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time and is the only player in history to have scored more than 10,000 runs and taken more than 100 catches in ODIs. He has scored 25 centuries and 67 half-centuries in the format. He was also a key member of the Sri Lankan team that won the 2014 World T20.
Mahela Jayawardene
Mahela Jayawardene is the eighth-highest run-scorer in ODI cricket with 10,261 runs to his name. He is one of the greatest batsmen of all time and was a key member of the Sri Lankan team that reached the final of the 2007 World Cup. He has scored 19 centuries and 71 half-centuries in the format. He is also the only player in history to have scored more than 10,000 runs and taken more than 100 catches in ODIs.
Inzamam-ul-Haq
Inzamam-ul-Haq is the ninth-highest run-scorer in ODI cricket with 10,050 runs to his name. He is one of the greatest batsmen of all time and was a key member of the Pakistan team that won the 1992 World Cup. He has scored 10 centuries and 83 half-centuries in the format. He is also the only player in history to have scored more than 10,000 runs and taken more than 200 catches in ODIs.
AB de Villiers
AB de Villiers is the tenth-highest run-scorer in ODI cricket with 9577 runs to his name. He is one of the greatest batsmen of all time and was a key member of the South African team that reached the semi-finals of the 2015 World Cup. He has scored 25 centuries and 53 half-centuries in the format. He is also the only player in history to have scored more than 10,000 runs and taken more than 100 catches in ODIs.
These players have achieved incredible feats in ODI cricket and have made their mark in the history books. It is no surprise that they are the top run-scorers in the format and have made a lasting impression on the game. It is also no surprise that they are the ones who come to mind when we think of the most runs win in ODI cricket.