Top 10 Batsmen with most runs in ODI’s

Cricket has changed its dynamics in the current era. The game has shifted more towards batters in every format. ODI (One-Day International) matches have a different importance in terms of cricketing. The first-ever ODI game was played after a test match was washed out. Since then, it has been one of the most important formats of the game. 

Over the years numerous batters have secured their legacy in this format. Some extraordinary batters have regularly scored a significant amount of runs during their prolonged careers. These cricketers have had a long-lasting impact on the sport. With their batting, they have delighted fans all across the world. They showcase some excellent resilience, skill, and composure in their batting. 

In this article, we delve into the top 10 batsmen with the most runs in ODI

10. Rohit Sharma (India)

The team India captain is one of the most elegant batters to watch in white ball cricket. He has been one the sweetest timers of the ball. Rohit Gurunath Sharma has played in 268 matches for the Men in Blue and has the record for hitting the most number of sixes by an active batter in ODI cricket. Since his debut in 2007, he has been an amazing timer of the ball.

The 37-year-old’s career as a cricketer changed after he started opening for India in 2013. Since then he has never looked back. Rohit has the record for the most double centuries by any batter in ODI cricket. The former Mumbai Indians captain has three double centuries beside his name. He also broke the long-held record of Sachin Tendulkar for the most centuries in World Cup matches back in 2019.

Rohit Sharma has scored 10,988 runs for the side with a sensational average of 49.05 and he has the highest individual score of 264 runs. With his experience, Rohit will be a crucial member of India at the start of the innings in the forthcoming ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan and Dubai. His impressive ODI record also includes 32 centuries and 57 half-centuries.

9. Sourav Ganguly (India)

The Prince of Calcutta remains one of the finest red ball captains for India. Under his leadership, the team made an amazing transition during the 2000s. The God Of Offside, not only is a brilliant captain but also was a sensational batter in white ball cricket. Sourav Ganguly started his career back in 1992 when he had a rough patch. But after the initial struggles he settled into the side and captained the side in the 2003 World Cup which India lost to Australia in the final.

The former India captain is one of the 6 cricketers to have played more than 300 matches for the country in the 50-over format. He has featured in 308 matches for India and scored 11,363 runs for the country with an average of 41.02. The Southpaw has the highest individual score by an Indian in a World Cup game scoring 183 against Sri Lanka in the 1996 World Cup. His ODI record also includes 22 centuries and 72 half-centuries.

8. Jacques Kallis (South Africa)

The former South African all-rounder will be the best of all time. He is the only cricketer in the history of the game to score more than 10,000 runs and take over 250 wickets in both ODI and Test match cricket. Jacques Kallis had a solid technique along with some destruction. The former Protea cricketer has won the MOTM in the test cricket history. He has been an absolute legend of the game with bat and ball.

Kallis has featured in 328 ODIs for the Proteas. Over his prolonged career, he scored 11,579 runs, with his greatest individual score of 139 runs. His outstanding ODI career includes 17 centuries and 86 half-centuries. He remains one of the classiest South African batters of all time with his elegance and rock-solid cricketing technique.

7. Inzamam-ul-Haq (Pakistan)

Inzaman-ul-Haq was the finest middle-order batter for Pakistan. He could lead innings and perform in high-stakes games. Inzamam could pace innings correctly. As well as his superb technique against both pace and spin helped him to win matches for the side. In the Asian contingent, he was one of the finest batters of his era, with his lazy elegance and stroke-playing nature.

He was a crucial member of the Pakistan cricket team that won the 1992 World Cup. The former batter played in 378 ODI matches in which he scored a total of 11,739 runs, with his highest individual score standing at an unbeaten 137 runs along with 10 centuries and 83 half-centuries.

6. Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka)

Mahela Jayawardene was one of the best batters for Sri Lanka in their golden era from the late 2000s to 2015. He was known for his calm demeanour and stylish stroke play, which helped in building innings and partnerships. He led Sri Lanka to the final of the 2007 World Cup but lost to a better and destructive Australian side.

The former Sri Lankan skipper appeared in 448 ODIs. During his career, he scored a total of 12,650 runs. With 19 hundreds and 77 half-centuries, he was a consistent middle-order batter for the country and a match winner with his long-time partner Kumar Sangakkara. His leadership abilities shone strongly as he scored a hundred in the 2011 World Cup final, but in a losing cause.

5. Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka)

The former left-handed opener was known of the firest opener of his generation. Sanath Jayasuriya changed the dynamics of opening in One-Day Cricket alongside his opening partner. Romesh Kaluwitharana and Jayasuriya is credited for revolutionising one-day international cricket with his blazing batting in the mid-1990s. The Southpaw is currently the head coach of the Sri Lanka team on a full-time basis.

Jayasuriya’s aggressive tactics at the 1996 Cricket World Cup clicked out. The strategy was to take advantage of the early fielding restrictions by smashing the opening bowlers to all parts of the cricket pitch. Notably by lofting their deliveries over the infield. He was a crucial member to win the 1996 World Cup for Sri Lanka. The former opener has scored 13,430 runs in 445 matches from 1989 to 2011 along with 28 centuries to his name.

4. Ricky Ponting (Australia)

Ricky Ponting is the greatest-ever captain in world cricket. He is the only captain to win two ODI World Cups for the Kangaroos. Played in the finest era of the cricketing generation. His ability to destroy bowlers with ease earned him the title of matchwinner. Aside from his batting prowess, his leadership quality changed the dynamics of the Australian squad and turned them into a cricketing powerhouse.

Ponting has scored the third most number of centuries in international cricket with 71 tons beside his name. In ODIs he has a total of 13,704 runs in 375 matches for the Aussies. Along with this he has 30 centuries and 82 half-centuries in the 50-over format of the game. That makes him one of the finest batters in the cricketing history.

3. Virat Kohli (India)

Virat Kohli is the greatest 50-over batter of all time. He is once in a generational talent, the former India captain currently sits atop with the most number of centuries by an active cricketer with 81 international hundred. The “Chase Master,” is one of the most prolific run scorers in ODI history and known for his aggressive approach on the field.

His consistency in white ball cricket have redefined modern cricket. Kohli has 50 hundreds, which the most by any batter in the ODI format. This showcases his capacity to perform in high-pressure scenarios. He has been a matchwinner for India in crunch situations. Kohli has featured in 297 matches for the Men in Blue and scored 13,963. He is just 271 runs behind for becoming the 2nd batter for most runs in ODI format.

Also Read: List of ICC Champions Trophy Winners Till Now

2. Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka)

Kumar Sangakkara is one of the most elegant left-handed batters of all time. The former Sri Lanka captain’s ability to anchor innings or accelerate as needed made him a valuable asset for the side. A great wicketkeeper-batsman, Sangakkara’s efforts extended beyond batting as he led Sri Lanka to several historic wins for the side. He also led his side in the 2011 World Cup losing to India.

The Southpaw has scored 14,234 runs in 404 one-day internationals for the Lankans. Sangakkara, was known for his beautiful stroke play and elegant style of batting. He was the backbone of Sri Lanka’s batting order along with Mahela Jayawardene. He has 25 centuries and 93 half-centuries. But his record for most runs in odi is in danger as Virat Kohli is just few runs behind him and might surpass him as well.

1. Sachin Tendulkar (India)

Sachin Tendulkar is the greatest cricketer of all time. The ‘God Of Cricket’ has achieved numerous milestones in his prolonged career of 24 years. Tendulkar’s ability to adapt to different conditions and bowlers helped him become a legend of the game. The former India captain’s memorable double century in ODIs created a benchmark for excellence. Beyond numbers, he inspired millions with his passion and humility, transforming cricket into a religion in India.

Sachin remains the cricketer with most runs in international cricket and the it will be really difficult to surpass his 100 centuries record even though Virat Kohli is 19 centuries away from tying with him. He featured in 463 matches for India, showcasing unparalleled consistency, and has scored 18,426 runs in ODI cricket. It is also the most runs in ODI cricket by any batter.

Most Runs in ODI

Player	Team	Span	Matches	Runs	Average	High score	100s	50s
Sachin Tendulkar	India	1989-2012	463	18,426	44.83	200*	49	96
Kumar Sangakkara	Sri Lanka	2000-2015	404	14,234	41.98	169	25	93
Virat Kohli	India	2008-2025*	297	13,963	57.93	183	50	73
Ricky Ponting	Australia	1995-2012	375	13,704	42.03	164	30	82
Sanath Jayasuriya	Sri Lanka	1989-2011	445	13,430	32.36	189	28	68
Mahela Jayawardene	Sri Lanka	1998-2015	448	12,650	33.37	144	19	77
Inzamam-ul-Haq	Pakistan	1991-2007	378	11,739	39.52	137*	10	83
Jacques Kallis	South Africa	1996-2014	328	11,579	44.36	139	17	86
Sourav Ganguly	India	1992-2007	311	11,363	41.02	183	22	72
Rohit Sharma	India	2007-2025*	268	10,988	49.05	264	32	57