Discover the top 10 batsmen with the most international runs. Explore their extraordinary careers, record-breaking achievements, and contributions to cricket.
The second-most popular sport in the world is cricket. Millions of fans look up to and treat athletes who achieve success in the sport like superstars. In the world of cricket records, only a few achievements hold as much prestige as scoring the most runs in international cricket. In cricket history, just 12 batsmen have scored more than 20,000 runs across all international cricket formats.
Here is a list of the top 10 players who have scored the most runs by a batsman in all formats of international cricket.
1). Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar- The God of CricketAbout Master Blaster
The first and only batsman who has scored more than 30,000 runs in cricket history is Indian player Sachin Tendulkar, popularly described as the “God of Cricket”. Sachin is the first in the list of top 10 batsmen with most international runs. Tendulkar is a legend who continues to encourage younger generations of aspiring cricketers as he holds the record for most runs scored by a batsman in the history of international cricket.
Sachin Tendulkar stepped onto the field for a remarkable 463 One-Day International (ODI) matches. He achieved the amazing accomplishment of scoring 18,426 runs in these matches, with his highest individual score remaining unbeaten at 200. His ODI record is nothing short of extraordinary, featuring 49 centuries, a remarkable 96 half-centuries, and a historic double century. With this stunning exhibition of his performances, he earns his reputation as one of the most outstanding batsmen in cricket history.
2). Kumar Sangakkara
Kumar Sangakkara of Sri LankaAbout Kumar Sangakkara
For nearly fifteen years, Kumar Sangakkara—an beautiful stroke player, dependable keeper, and perceptive thinker—was the backbone of Sri Lankan cricket. He is second in the list of Top 10 players with most international runs. The all-time great cricketer, who represented his nation in nearly 500 international matches, concluded his career in a Test match against India at Colombo (PSS) in 2015.
During his remarkable career in One Day Internationals (ODIs), former Sri Lankan wicket-keeper-batsman Kumar Sangakkara scored 14,234 runs overall, with a career-high individual score of 169. He has a tremendous ODI record with 25 centuries and an incredible 93 half-centuries.
3). Ricky Ponting
Ricky Ponting- Former Australian CaptainAbout Ricky Ponting
During his outstanding One Day International (ODI) career, Legendary Australian captain Ricky Ponting played in 375 matches. He accumulated a total of 13,704 runs, with his highest individual score reaching 164 runs. He’s third in the list of top 10 batsmen with most international runs. His remarkable ODI record consists of 30 centuries and 82 half-centuries.
Ponting’s greatest characteristic was his constant desire to win matches. While this desperation frequently resulted in historic moments, his career was defined by his constant will to succeed. Three World Cup titles including two consecutive ones as captain to go with a couple of Champions Trophy titles and the no.1 Test ranking shows that he had seen it all in the international arena.
Of course, his fluent stroke-play as a batsman, which allowed him to score runs at will and smash opposition bowlers, added to all of this.
4). Virat Kohli
Virat the run machine KohliCurrently, Virat Kohli has played in 292 One Day International (ODI) matches. In these games, he has scored a total of 13,848 runs, with his highest individual score being 183 runs. Virat is fourth in the list of Top 10 Batmen with the most international runs.
His ODI performance is quite impressive, with 50 centuries and 72 half-centuries to his name. Notably, he recently joined the select group of batsmen who have reached the milestone of 13,000 runs, making him the fifth player to accomplish this remarkable feat in ODI cricket.
5). Sanath Jayasuriya
Sanath Jayasuriya, Sri Lankan CricketerFormer Sri Lankan captain Sanath Jayasuriya had a remarkable one-day international (ODI) career, playing in 445 matches. Over the course of his career, he scored a total of 13,430 runs, with his highest individual score being 189 runs. His impressive record also features 28 centuries and 68 half-centuries.
6). Mahela Jayawardene
Sri Lankan batsman Mahela JayawardeneDuring his One Day International career, Mahela Jayawardene played in 448 matches. Throughout his career, he notched up a total of 12,650 runs, with his highest individual score reaching 144 runs. His impressive record also boasts 19 centuries and 77 half-centuries.
7). Inzamam-ul-Haq
Inzamam Ul-Haq of PakistanIn his One Day International career, Pakistan legend Inzamam-ul-Haq played in 378 matches. Throughout his career, he accumulated a total of 11,739 runs, with his highest individual score standing at an unbeaten 137 runs. His impressive record also includes 10 centuries and 83 half-centuries.
8). Jacques Kallis
During his One Day International career, Former South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis appeared in 328 matches. Over the span of his career, he accumulated a total of 11,579 runs, achieving his highest individual score of 139 runs. His impressive ODI record also holds 17 centuries and 86 half-centuries.
9). Sourav Ganguly
Sourav Ganguly of IndiaIn his One Day International career, Sourav Ganguly played in 311 matches. Throughout his career, he accumulated a total of 11,363 runs, achieving his highest individual score of 183 runs. His impressive ODI record also includes 22 centuries and 72 half-centuries.
10). Rahul Dravid
Gentleman of the game of cricket- Mr. Rahul DravidIn his One Day International career, Rahul Dravid played in 344 matches. Throughout his career, he accumulated a total of 10,889 runs, achieving his highest individual score of 153 runs. His impressive ODI record also includes 12 centuries and 83 half-centuries.
Also read- Top 10 bowlers with most international wickets @wickettalks.com
