Top 10 Batsmen With Most Runs In ODIs

It’s a surprising fact to many viewers that the first-ever one-day international (ODI) was played after a Test game was washed out due to rain. Since then, for a long time, it was one of the most thrilling formats of the game.

It’s the shorter version of the red-ball format with more fast-paced action and results in a short period. There are very few batters who have gained success in this format.

Here are the top 10 batsmen with the most runs in ODI cricket

1. Sachin Tendulkar (India)

In his 23-year-long career in the 50-over format, Sachin Tendulkar, known as the ‘God of cricket’, is the leading run-getter of the ODIs with 18426 runs in 452 innings at an average of 44.83 and a strike rate of 86.23.

He celebrated 49 centuries and 96 half-centuries at the best score of an unbeaten 200 runs against South Africa in Gwalior. The right-handed batter’s record is unlikely to be broken in this format.

Also Read: “I Am Done”- Virat Kohli Gave Test Retirement Hint To Teammates In BGT 2024-25

2. Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka)

Kumar Sangakkara was equally excellent in Tests and ODIs for Sri Lanka in the early 2010s to lift them in world cricket with consistent performances.

The southpaw punched 14234 runs in 380 innings at an average of 41.98 and a strike rate of 78.86, with the help of 25 centuries and 93 half-centuries at the best score of unbeaten 169 runs.

3. Virat Kohli (India)

Virat Kohli is currently the format’s third-leading run-getter and is just 53 runs away from Kumar. Recently, during the 2023 ODI World Cup against New Zealand in Mumbai, he broke the record of Tendulkar with 50 centuries in the format.

At present, Kohli has notched up 14181 runs in 290 innings at an average of 57.88 and a strike rate of 93.34, thanks to 51 centuries and 74 centuries at the best score of 183 runs.

4. Ricky Ponting (Australia/ICC)

The former Australian captain finished with 13704 runs in 365 innings at an average of 42.03 and a strike rate of 80.39, with the help of 30 centuries and 82 fifties at the best score of 164 runs.

Despite having a strong opening stand in those old days, there were times when the national side would look at Ponting to bail them out of trouble.

5. Sanath Jayasuriaya (Asia/Sri Lanka)

One of the earliest batters who would play with aggression at the opening position was Sanath Jayasuriya. The southpaw ended with 13430 runs in 433 innings at an average of 32.36 and a strike rate of 91.20, shouldering 28 centuries and 68 half-centuries at the best score of 189 runs.

Jayasuriya was equally fantastic with the ball, contributing with so many wickets in the middle overs.

6. Mahela Jayawardene (Asia/Sri Lanka)

Mahela Jayawardene was another batter who got equal success in the ODI format in his 17-year-long career. The right-handed batter smacked up 12650 runs in 418 innings at an average of 33.37 and a strike rate of 78.96, with the help of 19 centuries and 77 half-centuries.

Jayawardene was the captain of the national side for a long time and rescued them on many occasions.

7. Inzamam-ul-Haq (Asia/Pakistan)

Inzamam-ul-Haq is at number seven in the list of most ODI runs and finished as Pakistan’s leading run-getter of the format with 11739 runs in 350 innings at an average of 39.52 and a strike rate of 74.24, including 10 centuries and 83 half-centuries.

Pakistan also had the same fate when they looked at Inzamam in tough situations.

8. Jacques Kallis (Africa/ICC/South Africa)

Along with his Test runs of over 13k, Kallis was phenomenal for South Africa in ODIs with 11579 runs in the middle order in 314 innings at an average of 44.36 and a strike rate of 72.89. The right-handed batter celebrated 17 centuries and 86 fifties with the best score of 139 runs.

Also Read: Bangladesh Set To Cancel 2025 Tour Of Pakistan? BCB Says This

Along with his contribution with the bat, he was fantastic with so many overs under his belt to earn wickets in different situations of the game.

9. Sourav Ganguly (Asia/India)

The ‘Prince of Calcutta’ changed the image of Indian cricket with his contribution to captaincy. But he was also great with the bat in the opening position.

The southpaw grabbed 11363 runs in 300 innings at an average of 41.02 and a strike rate of 73.70, with the help of 22 centuries and 72 fifties at the best score of 183.

10. Rohit Sharma (India)

Once he started to open for the national side, Rohit Sharma’s career in ODIs took a different turn. He made life difficult for the bowlers even against the new ball.

Rohit has accumulated 11168 runs in 265 innings at an average of 48.76 and a strike rate of 92.80, shouldering 32 centuries and 58 fifties at the best score of 264 runs against Sri Lanka.