Top 5 Batters with Most Runs in ODI Cricket

The cricketing fraternity liked the prospect of ODI cricket when it was first introduced in 1971. Four years later, the first-ever 50-over World Cup was held and the love affair of fans with the ODI format started, thereafter. 

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Numerous batters exhibited their skill in 50-over cricket and became a force to be reckoned with. There were a lot of cricketers who couldn’t adapt to the change from a four-day format to a one-day format. Amidst that, there have been a few who dominated 50-overs cricket and created a plethora of records. 

Since the arrival of T20 format, ODI cricket have lost a bit of its relevance but still, some players have kept the love for one-day cricket alive across the globe. In this article, we will be taking a look at five batters who have scored the most runs in ODI cricket: 

Top 5 players with the Most runs in ODIs:

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5. Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli: (Image Source: Twitter)

India’s run machine, Virat Kohli, recently, has returned to his prime form. In the last four ODIs, Kohli has hit three centuries. In the recently concluded ODI series against Sri Lanka, Virat Kohli smashed centuries in the 1st and 3rd ODI. 

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With that, he also surpassed Ricky Ponting to take the second position on the list of most centuries in international cricket. Besides, he is currently the fifth-highest run-getter in ODIs, smashing 12,754 runs in just 268 ODIs at an average of 58.23 and a strike rate of 93.68. He has 46 hundreds and 64 half-centuries to his name in ODIs. 

4. Sanath Jayasuriya 

Sanath Jayasuriya: (Image Source: Twitter)

Another Sri Lankan legendary cricketer, Sanath Jayasuriya finds his place in the top five run-getters in ODIs. The southpaw is credited for bringing an aggressive style of play to one-day cricket. 

Jayasuriya was a prolific opener and was known to give the team aggressive starts at the start of the innings. He made a plethora of runs in both ODIs and Tests. In ODIs, he stands fourth on the list, with 13,430 runs to his name in 445 ODIs at an average of 32.36, including 28 centuries. 

3. Ricky Ponting 

Ricky Ponting: (Image Source: Twitter)

Ricky Ponting was not only a legendary skipper but also a brilliant batsman. He was known to have the best pull shot under his armory and would often put the bowling attack under pressure with his aggressive batting.

Ponting had the gift of timing and his ability to place the ball in the gaps was also top-notch. Ponting is currently the third-highest run-getter in ODI cricket, having managed to score 13,704 runs in 375 matches at an average of 42.03. Besides, he had 30 centuries and 82 half-centuries to his name. 

2. Kumar Sangakarra 

Kumar Sangakarra: (Image Source: Twitter)

One of the best left-handed batters ever to play the game, Kumar Sangakkara finds his name at the second position on the list. Much like Sachin Tendulkar, Sangakarra too recorded his name in the history books on numerous occasions. The southpaw is the highest run-scorer for Sri Lanka in ODIs and second highest, overall. 

In 404 ODIs, he has managed to score 14,234 runs at an average of 41.98, including 25 centuries and 93 half-centuries.

1. Sachin Tendulkar 

Sachin Tendulkar: (Image Source: Twitter)

Hailed as the Master-Blaster, Sachin Tendulkar has countless records to his name. With his dominance against all teams he played against, he made fans across the world with batting masterclass. 

Sachin Tendulkar boasts of scoring the most runs in both Tests as well as ODI formats. In ODIs, Tendulkar has scored 18, 426 runs in 463 matches with the highest score of 200 not out. Besides, he has 49 centuries to his name in one-day format.