ODI Run Scorers: Ranking the Best of the Best
One Day International (ODI) cricket is one of the most popular forms of the game. It is an exciting, fast-paced contest between two teams of 11 players each. With the ODI format, the matches are limited to a maximum of 50 overs per side, and teams must score as many runs as possible in that time. As a result, the top ODI run scorers are some of the greatest batsmen in cricket history.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the top ODI run scorers of all time and rank them according to their achievements. We’ll also take a look at the individual performances that have made them stand out from the rest.
Sachin Tendulkar – India
The legendary Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar is widely regarded as the greatest batsman of all time. His ODI record is nothing short of remarkable, with 18,426 runs in 463 matches. He is the only batsman to have scored over 10,000 runs in ODIs and holds the record for most centuries (49) and most half-centuries (96) in ODI cricket.
Tendulkar’s batting average of 44.83 is also the highest among all ODI run scorers, and his strike rate of 86.23 is the third-highest. His ability to score runs quickly and consistently makes him one of the most feared batsmen in the history of the game.
Kumar Sangakkara – Sri Lanka
Kumar Sangakkara is another great batsman from Sri Lanka. He is the second-highest run-scorer in ODI cricket, with 14,234 runs in 404 matches. He also holds the record for most centuries (25) and most half-centuries (93) by a Sri Lankan batsman in ODIs.
Sangakkara’s batting average of 41.98 is the second-highest among all ODI run scorers, and his strike rate of 78.86 is the fifth-highest. He was also one of the most consistent batsmen in ODI cricket, scoring at least one century in every calendar year between 2006 and 2014.
Ricky Ponting – Australia
Ricky Ponting is one of the greatest batsmen to have ever played the game. He is the third-highest run-scorer in ODI cricket, with 13,704 runs in 375 matches. He is also the second-highest century maker (30) and the highest half-century maker (82) in ODI cricket.
Ponting’s batting average of 42.03 is the third-highest among all ODI run scorers, and his strike rate of 80.39 is the fourth-highest. He was also one of the most feared batsmen in ODI cricket, and his ability to score quickly and consistently made him one of the most dangerous batsmen in the world.
Sanath Jayasuriya – Sri Lanka
Sanath Jayasuriya is one of the greatest batsmen in the history of ODI cricket. He is the fourth-highest run-scorer in ODI cricket, with 13,430 runs in 445 matches. He is also the highest six-hitter (270) and the third-highest century maker (28) in ODI cricket.
Jayasuriya’s batting average of 32.36 is the sixth-highest among all ODI run scorers, and his strike rate of 91.20 is the highest. He was also one of the most destructive batsmen in ODI cricket, and his ability to score quickly and consistently made him one of the most dangerous batsmen in the world.
Mahela Jayawardene – Sri Lanka
Mahela Jayawardene is another great batsman from Sri Lanka. He is the fifth-highest run-scorer in ODI cricket, with 12,650 runs in 448 matches. He is also the fourth-highest century maker (27) and the second-highest half-century maker (76) in ODI cricket.
Jayawardene’s batting average of 33.37 is the fifth-highest among all ODI run scorers, and his strike rate of 78.96 is the sixth-highest. He was also one of the most reliable batsmen in ODI cricket, and his ability to score quickly and consistently made him one of the most dependable batsmen in the world.
Jacques Kallis – South Africa
Jacques Kallis is one of the greatest all-rounders in the history of the game. He is the sixth-highest run-scorer in ODI cricket, with 11,579 runs in 328 matches. He is also the fifth-highest century maker (17) and the third-highest half-century maker (78) in ODI cricket.
Kallis’s batting average of 45.26 is the fourth-highest among all ODI run scorers, and his strike rate of 74.36 is the seventh-highest. He was also one of the most reliable batsmen in ODI cricket, and his ability to score quickly and consistently made him one of the most dependable batsmen in the world.
Conclusion
The top ODI run scorers are some of the greatest batsmen in cricket history. From Sachin Tendulkar to Jacques Kallis, these players have consistently put up impressive performances, and their records will stand the test of time. They are the best of the best, and they deserve to be ranked among the greatest ODI run scorers of all time.